Might need Fedi's help on this one: I've never had a #cat before, but there's this stray that's become a daily part of our lives I've been taking care of. He's always been the silent type of clingy, where he likes to rub/run through his whole body to our legs/crotch - that type of thing. He also likes it when we scratch/rub in the areas under his mouth/around his neck - even his back. He's really, very quiet, but you could really feel and appreciate his love/gentleness from his purring, physical touch, and very quiet meowing when he sees us.
Anyway, he's never used his paws/fingernails or mouth before - other than sometimes the occasional pawing at my legs (no nails) trying to get my attention and for me to stop, when I'm leaving him. Today though, while clinging to me as per usual (first pic) after his meal, he got on his back and caught my hand with his paws (and nails) and mouth (second pic). That caught me off guard but it was kinda cute, but still shook me lol.
Then another time, he was lying on his back while I was scratching him - he was enjoying it, with his legs shaking in the air, etc. Then, again, all of a sudden he did a similar thing he did earlier, 'cept instead of just having some small bits of skin at the palm of my hand being torn, now I actually have a couple of bleeding scratches through my arm, and several 'holes' from his bite (third pic). That, ofc, shook me again and idk.. kinda left me puzzled whether he was doing it as an offense, or if this is just the next step in 'bonding' with him.
Anyway, I just washed the entirety of both my arms with the regular #Dettol handwash and I hope that would suffice cos idk if I'd want to go to the clinic for a jab or something like that - esp if this is gonna be a more regular thing? Idk lol - #Rabies seems really scary though. I guess the point of me posting this is just to figure out if this is normal/harmless or was he mad/upset? I don't think the latter, since he was still clinging to me afterwards, but who knows lol I've only ever had tortoises as pets.
@irfan cat’s can be kinda touchy about people touching their stomach’s (yes even when they were the ones who rolled over first) bc it feels very vulnerable for them! so occasional bear trapping is not surprising in that context
ditto the other bite you mentioned seems like fairly standard “warning bite” behavior — trying to tell you to back off a bit without actually injuring you, but while making it clear that they will if you don’t stop — some cats get overstimulated easily by petting which esp would not be surprising w/a stray who doesn’t get a lot of socialization opportunities…
@Satsuma@glitch.cat.family I haven't been able to reply but thank you so much for these super helpful info!!! I haven't taken my shot yet cos I'm kinda lazy to do so..... but yes the smart thing to do is to get the shot. If what I read is right, I have 48 hrs to do so - might do so later before/after dinner to skip traffic.
@irfan good luck! i hope everything goes well with you and the kitty
@irfan drs would probably say you should always get a rabies shot even if its super low risk bc the consequences are so high but this does sound like not that unusual behavior for a kitty who you’re still building trust with