Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have family coming to visit and stay with us tomorrow. Got me wondering about how my kitties are going to react to my father, whom they haven't seen in a year. Will they remember him? Will they treat him like a stranger?

One of my cats likes everyone right away. He greets strangers at the door, sniffs their toes, and tries to rub his face in their hair. He checks out everyone and as long as the newcomer isn't a toddler, loves them.

My other cat is what is known as "slow to warm up." His initial reaction to meeting strangers is to run and hide, but always from a spot where he can still hear and/or see them. He watches his big brother, the other cat, check out the strangers. After about a half hour or so, when he has seen that the older cat approves of the newcomers, he will come out and greet them, albeit not as affectionately as he will with people he already knows.

So what are your kitties like? Do they get excited when visitors come over, or are they bothered by the intrusion?

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PHCurious
Cat Chat Host

Out of the four adult cats we have now Tucker is the most friendly he will rub all over any one and everyone. Boots doesn't seem afraid of strangers but will not pay attention to them then again he doesn't pay attention to us. Lizzy hides and so does Crash.
Gabby (13 week old) loves everyone. She would rather be sitting in the middle of all the teenagers then in a room with me. The teenagers are loud and she doesn't seem to care. She just jumps on all of them and gives kisses.

We had a cat when I was young Maine Coon Mix Rollie. He was the best cat. When ever any one came over he was up in their laps. Rolling around and rubbing on them. He was such a pest he wouldn't leave the people alone at all.
I guess he figured the more loves he got the better.

Jaime

I have some that love the attention company brings, then I have some that watch from the sidelines for a bit and then cautiously venture out and yet others who will stay hidden. Guess you could say I have a very diverse clowder.
They actually have been getting much better. Even my scardey cat ferals are starting to hang around company and one even allows some petting from them. But he's a very nervous cat and you can tell that he wants the attention so bad, but it's stressful for him to force himself to allow it. I won't even get into how he releases that stress. :O
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Dottie
Proudly owned by The Catnip Crew...Munchkin,Casey,Maddie,Harley,Meadow,Ashley,Nicky and Mushka

>>So what are your kitties like? Do they get excited when visitors come over, or are they bothered by the intrusion?
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Star's first reaction is to hide. But after a few minutes, she comes out and checks the the newcomer over. Then if they allow, she'll rub against them and jump up on their lap when they sit down.

Quentin also hides, but will eventually check the person over. After awhile, he will be more friendly and hang around. He's not a lap cat like Star, but won't be afraid once he gets to know someone.

Ellen

Boris has a huge no-no about strangers trying to pet him. However, he will be in the same room with them, show-off his little antics for everyone and seems to generally love to let strangers see his talents. But he is a "look only-but do not touch" cat for others. As my DH would tell anyone, I am Boris's human and he rates second-place.
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Boris's Human, Pam

I mentioned last month that my father, who hasn't seen my cats in a year, was coming to visit. Lo and behold, my "slow to warm up" kitty appeared to remember him! When meeting strangers, he normally moves back and observes for about a half hour. With my father, however, this same cat walked right up to him and started sniffing his shoes and checking him out just as he does to people who are more regular visitors to the house. What a pleasant surprise!

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PHCurious
Cat Chat Host

Daisy has always been very shy with everybody other than me. I think she is a little attached, MOL.
Bob used to be Mr. Socialkitty, but lately (especially after I came back from Mexico) he will get a little skiddish with strangers...For 5 minutes. Then he HAS to come out and nose around. None of them are lapkitties, though
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Bob, Daisy, Karla and the Goldfish