Depends what you’re teaching them. They’re biting? Move away so they know playtime’s over if they bite. Be consistent, because they won’t get it the first time. Don’t scratch that? Put a scratchable surface in front of it, and when they use it, reward them with positive attention. Etc.
That’s tough, because street cats that do that have been socialized to be super pro human (strange humans give them snacks?)
I guess if it was me and I was visiting someone allergic, I’d do something silly like put on hand sanitizer and let them sniff my hand. Or hiss at them, if I didn’t see people around. Walk loud. Unfortunately, a lot of “i’m scared go away” body language can come across as 'I’m not threatening! Say hi!!" to a friendly cat. What’s the specific situation drag is in?
No specificity. Drag just wants to be able to communicate better with cats, especially when drag isn’t in a mood to expand drag’s horizons by confronting a scary stimulus.
Hissing at strange cats won’t provoke them into a fight? Getting into a fight with a cat would be the worst outcome, that won’t happen?
Drag is afraid of cats because drag doesn’t know how to say no in a way a cat can understand. Drag would feel much better about exploring friendships with cats if drag felt able to say no.
Had a mouser cat drop a live mouse in my bed once. It ran up my leg. Haunted.
I cured her of the desire to bring me mice by trying to take them from her while she was still playing. I lost mouse privileges :(
Drag is afraid of cats because drag doesn’t know how to say no in a way a cat can understand.
Depends what you’re teaching them. They’re biting? Move away so they know playtime’s over if they bite. Be consistent, because they won’t get it the first time. Don’t scratch that? Put a scratchable surface in front of it, and when they use it, reward them with positive attention. Etc.
How do you tell a strange cat on the street that you don’t want it to go near you?
That’s tough, because street cats that do that have been socialized to be super pro human (strange humans give them snacks?)
I guess if it was me and I was visiting someone allergic, I’d do something silly like put on hand sanitizer and let them sniff my hand. Or hiss at them, if I didn’t see people around. Walk loud. Unfortunately, a lot of “i’m scared go away” body language can come across as 'I’m not threatening! Say hi!!" to a friendly cat. What’s the specific situation drag is in?
No specificity. Drag just wants to be able to communicate better with cats, especially when drag isn’t in a mood to expand drag’s horizons by confronting a scary stimulus.
Hissing at strange cats won’t provoke them into a fight? Getting into a fight with a cat would be the worst outcome, that won’t happen?
Weird because usually when I see a strange cat on the street I’m trying to get out to come over to me.
Lol that was my thought exactly.
And fyi, food is the only thing I’ve found so far that works.
Drag is afraid of cats because drag doesn’t know how to say no in a way a cat can understand. Drag would feel much better about exploring friendships with cats if drag felt able to say no.