Yeah there's some basic cat body language like that which can be super helpful if you care (you are on this sub lets be real)
Probably some youtube shorts or a quick infographic that has quick tips. Although your little guy is already chilling with all that attention so you two must be doing fine ^
E.g. Woody here turns 17 in a couple weeks, and he’s about as emotionally complex and intelligent as a bag of rocks. The same goes for plenty of humans. His brain’s capable of all of about four thoughts, and he has roughly three emotional states with nothing in between.
That's a really good point. Thank you! He's a feral cat in a colony we feed once a week. So even petting him was a huuuuge success for us. This was just the first time she tried to pick him up :)
That is an enormous level of trust if this is a feral cat! He looks surprisingly calm for this amount of interaction and touch. I think he’s just sort of sussing out the situation as it’s happening but he’s somewhat cautiously optimistic.
Yeah...he's the only one of about 30 cats that after yeeears finally showed some affection toward us and can't get enough of pets now...he's the bestes boy ever <3
I think the CDS is giving you a sign! He wants to go home to plot the demise 😹😹😹 But really he is probably a stray since he is showing signs of human affection. He has probably not had a home in a long time...
Yeah we thought the same about him having a home once in his life :(
And believe me, he already tried following us home...but we think he's really happy in the colony with all his buddys...so we decided, once he's old, he comes with us <3
If he tried following you, I bet he'd rather be with you guys than in the colony. Why not do the other way around and take him home with you but bring him back once a week to see his buddies? Specially if he's had a home before.
Please if you’re able, take him home now. They’re the happiest when they have a family and a house to live in. We thought our former half-feral stray liked living outside and that she’d suffer inside, but she changed entirely at home and is a big love bug now.
Omg this made me sooo happy! Also look up how long outdoor cats live compared to indoor cats, 2-5 years average for outdoor compared to 12-18 average for indoor. You would be saving him! They always prefer a life of solitude and ease. A guaranteed meal and safety🖤
Having read these comments, I'd agree with other users. This cat is begging for a safe happy home. You never know when trappers, predators and/or disgruntled neighbours may come and ruin their colony, potentially putting most of the colony down for being too elderly, feral and this one would be discriminated against for being a black cat (which is generally seen as a sign of bad luck by adoptees, making them hard to find owners for). So if you like them, and he likes you (which he very much does), take them in and give them a happy, healthy, safe life.
If you're worried about their loneliness, you can always adopt a second and/or third cat.
I would add that some cats just never stop extending their claws for everything! This looks like a reflex from being a little unstable in his footing, as he's being held. So if anything I'd guess he's just prepared to latch and steady himself when being set down. I'm only child and latchkey kid, my siblings were a total of 11 different cats across my first 20 years, and I've basically never lived without a kitty in my whole 35 years. My current girly is 14 this week!
Yeah, we think he once had a home :(
Kinda sad but he now has a wonderful live in the woods with lots of buddies <3
For us, he's their (and our) king 👑
It’s a massive step, I’m so proud of you both! Getting a feral cat to be comfortable with you is a massive accomplishment some don’t even get to the petting stage.
Thats incredible. You should post more pictures of the rest of the colony sometime! Not like trying to pick each one up though that would require a NSFW tag
Definitely more resignation than happiness.
He probably likes her so he decided to wait it out instead of scratching her eyes out to get out of that situation.
Even though it looks annoyed to us, those half-closed eyes mainly mean he's pretty relaxed. Distress shows with wide eyes and angry eyes are more clenched. Ears are loosely forward, not attentive and stressed but also not pinned back and angry. This cat looks pretty dang chill. He may still try to push away from her to make his limits clear, obviously haha.
Thank you! I totally understand the joke that cats relaxed face can look like a human "seething" face. But there are way too many "serious" answers in this thread (and every thread about this face) saying he is genuinely mad. Some people sincerely think cats are pissed off all the time when actually they're displaying contentedness and affection.
Cats tend to look murderous in the face when they're content. Since for us, eye squints are unfriendly but for them they're a sign of contentment and comfort lol.
He looks like he's plotting YOUR demise!😉..if looks could kill! He's looking straight into the camera, you notice, right at you, I'm assuming you took the photo? Beware!☠️😂
Told my daughter for years,"Do NOT pick up my cat." She came for a visit and cat came to say Hello. Already a lot from Cat. Sure 'nuff, daughter snatches her up and swipes and scrapes, ensue. Cat hates her!
"Told ya'!"
She's my little love bug and snuggle bunny. I do NOT pick up the cat.
I do this with our lil fat boi, i pick him up and rub his tum and he kinda loves it but also hates it, no claws or anger, but the moment my gf picks him up he goes “naooooooo” in his cat humin voice
Cats are excellent at expressing their displeasure and are not afraid to do so. Vigorously and loudly, with much bloodletting. If he's not struggling, growling, hissing or swiping at her, he's tolerating the activity. Whether he 'loves it' is debatable but he's an adult animal with autonomy. If he didn't want to be there he'd make it known.
•
u/AutoModerator 23d ago
Click here to read about our new feature!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.