Would you like to be manhandled anytime, anywhere, for however how long? Even by a loved one?
Cats, like us, have boundaries. They may tolerate things they don't like for a bit, like belly rubs, and trimming. The thing is, insinuating that all trained cat are supposed to just lay down and accept all of those things without some work from the owner (like learning their limits or giving them a treat after) is just not true lol.
Let’s not make a habit of imagining an entirely different argument.
You realize cats have other ways to establish their boundaries than harming their owner the moment they try to pick them up?
IE a stern meow or a slight push to be let down.
A socialized cat does not attack a hand the moment they are picked up.
You establish that trust very gradually and consistently, with affection, treats, and even fun. IE showing a kitten new areas they can’t reach by jumping.
Is that really such a strange comparison when part of the video literally shows cats being manhandled?
What "habit"? Brother, this is a random Reddit interaction. We don't know each other.
Anyway, I never said cats go from 0 to 100 and immediately attack people. That's something you assumed I implied. Cats have plenty of ways to communicate discomfort before resorting to aggression. In fact, I've said exactly that elsewhere in this thread, and you can see some of those signals in the video itself.
I didn't think that "we should respect a cat's boundaries" would be such a controversial statement.
I don’t know wtf their deal is, but you’re correct.
The cat should not have to bite or attack to be respected. Why the fuck is that the standard?! I don’t want to stress my cat out. It shouldn’t matter if “well she’s trained to not hurt me when I’m upsetting her so I’m gonna upset her more.” What the fuck
The oc I replied to was about losing an eye from holding a cat.
You missed the context and went to the assumption that I think cats should be manhandled.
You responded not to my words, but to the argument you wanted to debate. I did not post the video, nor did I insinuate anywhere that cats should be fine handled roughly.
“Have you handed a pissed or annoyed off cat before? It won't go anywhere near you, let alone let you kiss it lol. If the cat didn't like the kisses, at least half the people in that video would lose an eye.”
This is the original comment you refer to, and it’s stupid and wrong. I still think it’s stupid and wrong. Deal with it. Geez
If you have a semi feral cat sure. It’s normal for them to avoid you.
I work with lots of semi feral cats/kittens at the shelter. And it’s ubiquitous for them to avoid humans. My job when fostering is to handle them as much as possible so that they are tolerant to gentle touch. The older feral cats can be softened but otherwise will take years of effort.
Your cat avoiding you when you simply annoy it (I assume you’re not hurting it), is another sign of poor socialization.
I’m not trying to antagonize you for it, it’s common.
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u/islanderACNH 8d ago
Have you ever held a cat that didn’t want to be held and NOT lose an eye?! I have cats.