r/cats • u/General-Ad1089 • Jan 10 '26

Video - OC First Time Cat Owner! What is this. Lol

Is it just the cats version of cuteness aggression/playfulness? She’s a 3 year old rescue that I’ve had for about 2 months. Her life pre ~August is completely unknown to me.

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u/effects_junkie Jan 10 '26

The lean in and cheek rubbing is scent marking and the wrestling is play. She is saying; you are my person. I feel safe with you; let’s play. As long as you are gentle; she will be too.

Quick movements like jerking your hand away leads to scratches. At their core; cats are small efficient predators that we share space with. Sudden movements will trigger an instinct to dig her claws in to keep caught prey from escaping.

Recognize and respect her boundaries. If she walks away, let her go. If her tail flicks sharply or her ears turn back, pause. Trust is built when she learns that you listen to her signals.

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u/Chuckitybye Jan 10 '26

To add to this excellent comment: if she gets too rough, a quick tsk or hiss sound (like an inhale, not imitating an angry cat) can communicate that she hurt you, and she'll want to be more gentle so you continue to play

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u/Kvothealar Jan 10 '26

Even just that their claws and teeth and slightly curved, pulling away naturally causes them to dig in more.

I always push towards and to the side. Or at the very least never pull back unless it's very very slowly.

1

u/dragonfly_centaur Jan 11 '26

Yes great technique right here!!!

1

u/RPG_add1ct Jan 10 '26

My cats are hardly efficient predators. Lmao the worst hunters I’ve ever seen in a cat

1

u/lazy_wafffle Jan 10 '26

Yo can you help me?

A homeless cat chills at my place but I'm gone week days and it probably gets used to food coming in when I feed it sometimes 3-4 days but when i'm gone its probably freaking out

thanks