cats

[lovejoy]

my wife bought a cat.
I know nothing about cats so any help appreciated
if the cat sees either of us walking in it's direction it lies on it's back legs in the air as if to say tickle my tum but if we try that it's claws come out and it bites BUT ONLY GENTLY

So what is it doing?

[ummmm]

How old is it?

[pericat]

Cats do like to play this way - you will get scratched. If you just want to pet it - scratch its neck and behind the ears.

[snags]

You need a big shovel... I have one you can borrow...

[ummmm]

I look like a self harmer at the moment and I can't walk round in bare feet....unless I want then scratched as well.

[pericat]

Hey snags - cat lovers thread here !!

[mccfluff]

mine does thi swhen i come in, shes just saying hello

[Nosha123]

aaah sweet.. the lying on the back is submissive... in an 'I trust you implicitly' way

The claws and gentle bites - are play.. and affection.

My Dad's cat (a stray) bites the back of his ankles gently when he is getting his food ready for him.

If you want to say something back 'in cat speak'... when she looks at you - never stare - this is deemed threatening. but instead.. blink several times very slowly.. this means I love you in cat.. and she will do it back to you!

ARE WE ALL MAD HERE OR WHAT!!!

[daffy654]

Animals lie down in that fashion to let you know that they are aware of their status in the pack. The cat sees you as members of its pack and is showing you that it knows you are the boss/leader of the pack.

[ummmm]

Awwww...I didn't know that.

Now to try and get the kids to lie down and realise I'm the leader...

[pericat]

Lol - ummmm - it'll never happen

[daffy654]

If you narrow (kind of squint) your eyes and then look away when looking at a cat it will do it back to you more often than not,it means it wants to be friends with you :-)

[pericat]

I will try that later daffy

[andy-hughes]

As advised, your cat is making its pack position known - you are pack leader and your cat is being submissive to show that she knows that - the clawing abd nibbling are similrly friendly gestues, you'd know if she meant it!

Give her lots of affection and stroking - behind the ears and the shoulder blades are favourite places. Rub the bones in her back gently, she'll enjoy that too, as you will hear.