Cat behavior question

[charlie and algernon]

So I'm babysitting a cat this week and she keeps pretty much to herself. If I go near her, she'll run away, though maybe once a day she'll just sit and let me pet her while she purrs. After a couple minutes, she'll get up, walk away and spend the rest of the day ignoring me, lol.

Now we come to this morning. I wake up and walk into her room to say hello and she doesn't get up, so I sit down and pet her. She then does get up, but instead of walking away, she walks circles around me, rubbing against every table leg, chair leg, the computer, and myself. She did this at least ten times.

Is this a cat's way of saying, I guess you are alright and we can live in the same house?

[MissMillie]

1. yeah, that pretty much sums it up

she's getting used to you.

[charlie and algernon]

9. it's cool, seeing the evolution of it all

the first night, she spent cowered under the bed with big terrified eyes looking at me. The second day she started walking around, then she allowed herself to be petted, now i guess i'm her property, lol.

[Dogtown]

2. I believe so

Cats can communicate complex instructions. Tails are a big factor.

Straight up = cheerful/interested.

twitching = aggression/possible ass-kicking

tucked = scared or asleep

twined = you got a new friend.


The rubbing is a scent-marking thing showing acceptance/ownership. Since she marked you, you are a friend. Other cats will smell her pheromones on you & recognize the claim.

[charlie and algernon]

11. her tail has definitely been up, with a slight bend at the tip

which i read online as a sign of contentment.

[montanto]

3. Yeah, you're OK, but just OK.

She'll ignore you again by this afternoon.

[charlie and algernon]

5. well she's got the whole day to forget me

I'm at work till 5, then doing stuff till later and that's just if don't go to a convention party tonight, lol.

[zanne]

4. She's saying "I like you, but keep your distance".

I have a cat who did that for months before I was allowed to pet him and pick him up. He still doesn't talk to me. (I've never heard him meow). I love him, though.

[charlie and algernon]

6. she's started talking

she was silent the first couple days, now she's started talking more and more. Last night she actually meowed to announce she was coming out of her hiding spot, and meowed a bunch of times as she came up to me, then walked away after she allowed me to scratch her head.

[TZ]

7. The cat has now said you are part of her territory

And therefore she is marking her scent all over to let the world know..Yes, you are now the property of one kitty cat.:)

[charlie and algernon]

8. guess it's a rental then

I gotta give her back next Tuesday :(

[TZ]

13. Yeah...

but now, if you see her after that, you can count on her reaffirming her possession by rubbing all over you..Just because you won't be in the same household, doesn't mean she won't still consider you hers. And woe to you if you commit "kitty adultery".....:D

[zanne]

14. Kitty adultery is the worst!

When they smell the "other" cat on you, they have to rub you extra hard to cover up the scent and pretend that it never happened.

[petronius]

10. She's saying that, even though you're not her real people, someone has

to scratch her ears and scoop her poop, and it might as well be you - you're being accepted.

I imagine it's a shock to have the normal people suddenly replaced - I know my cat hates it - so she had to spend a couple of days sulking and getting used to you...

[charlie and algernon]

12. yeah, it took her a day to come out of hiding

and a little longer not to run in terror when I approached.

[applegrove]

15. She's trying to put her scent on you which mean you belong to her.

Congrats! You have a new owner.