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From: hopp@nbs-amrf.UUCP (Ted Hopp)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: cat bite
Message-ID: <193@nbs-amrf.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 15-Mar-86 12:01:39 EST
Article-I.D.: nbs-amrf.193
Posted: Sat Mar 15 12:01:39 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 18-Mar-86 07:20:15 EST
References: <2030@uwmacc.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: National Bureau of Standards
Lines: 32

> My friend has a cat and I like to play with it. Once in a while
> the cat will lie on the floor with her stomach up for me to
> caress. But after caressing her for maybe 15 seconds, she would
> always grab my hand with her paws and bite my hand lightly (but
> still hurt a little).
> On one occasion she managed to scratch my hand.
> 
> Does anybody else have the same experience?
> Is it trying to tell me to get lost or is it playing?
> 
> peter

Every cat that I have known wants to wrestle when it rolls over on
its back.  That seems to be an invitation for a "mock attack".  It
sounds like your friend's cat is waiting for you to attack and, when
you don't, decides to take the initiative.  I'm surprised she waits
15 seconds; our cat, Florence, starts in right away.  Scratching and
biting are a normal part of such play.  I avoid getting my hands
within range of Florence's claws; she is usually happy just clawing
at a rope or piece of cloth bobing up and down over her.

Florence and our dog, Ada, love to go at it.  Florence will roll over
and Ada will stick her nose right down into Flo's stomach.  Flo will
then grab one of Ada's ears and chomp down.  Ada loves it.  Her fur
seems to protect her from any serious scratches; I've never seen
any ill effects from such play.  Eventually Ada (50 lbs) gets too
rough for Flo (6 lbs) and Flo ends the game by running off to wash
herself.

-- 

Ted Hopp	{seismo,umcp-cs}!nbs-amrf!hopp