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From: elw@netexa.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: cat bite
Message-ID: <180@netexa.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 17-Mar-86 20:19:56 EST
Article-I.D.: netexa.180
Posted: Mon Mar 17 20:19:56 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Mar-86 07:38:37 EST
References: <2030@uwmacc.UUCP>
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Organization: NetExpress, Inc., Vienna, VA
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> ******
> 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

I've had two cats (at different times), both of which I played with in
mock fights. (Basically my hand becomes the enemy for some fun rough-housing,
I assume that it was fun for the cat too as they were always free to walk
away if they didn't like it.)  Both would grip with their teeth, but NEVER
broke the skin with their teeth.  Occasionally I would receive a small scratch
from a claw (paws got invovled in the fun too), but NEVER a 'serious' wound.
Since claws are rather sharp, this must be expected.

In your case, I would assume that either she's had enough, or your rubbing
the fur the wrong way for that particular cat.  There is little reason for
attacking the source of a pleasurable sensation. :-)

			E. L. Wiles @ NetExpress, Inc. Virginia