Dogs in the street

Key · 11-10-2014, 10:16 AM

When I see a cat walking around, I go and pet it. When I see somebody walking a dog, I usually go up to them and tell them that they have a very cute dog. Most of the time they get into a conversation and you end up talking about their dog for a few minutes, which can be fun.

I personally believe that if you're going out with your dog (or cat) and you get annoyed by people saying you have a cute pet, there's something wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with just letting the person know that they shouldn't pet the dog or w/e, but to get upset about it just isn't fair.

Black Francis · 11-10-2014, 01:07 PM

I'll pet anything that's cute as long as it isn't too dirty..

I tend to pet stray cats and dogs but if they have an owner i don't usually go pet their dog unless the dog comes near me looking to be pet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ki

I personally believe that if you're going out with your dog (or cat) and you get annoyed by people saying you have a cute pet, there's something wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with just letting the person know that they shouldn't pet the dog or w/e, but to get upset about it just isn't fair.

Agree.

simplephysics · 11-10-2014, 01:44 PM

It's generally not a good idea to approach or pet feral cats, especially if you have a cat at home. They carry all kinds of diseases and one bad scratch can leave you with a wicked infection, not to mention what you're bringing home to your pet. Although I'm not one to talk, I'll do it occasionally, but only if the cat seems friendly enough and I'm not heading directly back home to my puss.

Fun fact, if you see a stray cat with the tip of it's ear missing (at least in the U.S.), it likely has been taken to a shelter before and was spayed/neutered and likely given preventative shots. They clip the ear as a universal symbol for the procedure in case the cat is captured again.

**Janszoon** · 11-10-2014, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadnaught

It's generally not a good idea to approach or pet feral cats, especially if you have a cat at home. They carry all kinds of diseases and one bad scratch can leave you with a wicked infection, not to mention what you're bringing home to your pet. Although I'm not one to talk, I'll do it occasionally, but only if the cat seems friendly enough and I'm not heading directly back home to my puss.

There are a lot of feral cats in my neighborhood and there's no way I'd ever pet one. As you say, I don't want to bring diseases back to my cats at home. Plus, the feral cats in my area are very wary of people, I don't think any of them would react well to me trying to touch them.

Trollheart · 11-10-2014, 07:20 PM

Just so you know, I'm one of those who always calls to dogs and tries to pet them when I'm out. When I had a dog and was out walking him I would have no problem with anyone coming up and petting him, though I don't remember anyone doing so.

As for cats, obviously feral cats are out. You just don't go near them. But if a cat is reasonably plump and has a collar, and seems approachable I will always try to pet them. I've made friends with quite a few cats here that way, and now when they see me they come running for their pets. There is one who always runs away though: maybe it's my cologne?

Seriously though, I would not advise anyone to pet or approach a cat that looks feral, or does not allow the approach. They're flighty creatures and could easily scratch you or worse if you piss them off.

**Janszoon** · 11-10-2014, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Seriously though, I would not advise anyone to pet or approach a cat that looks feral, or does not allow the approach. They're flighty creatures and could easily scratch you or worse if you piss them off.

Seriously. Trying to pet a feral cat is really no different than trying to pet a raccoon or a fox or something.

11-10-2014, 01:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
simplephysics you know what it is Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,890	It's generally not a good idea to approach or pet feral cats, especially if you have a cat at home. They carry all kinds of diseases and one bad scratch can leave you with a wicked infection, not to mention what you're bringing home to your pet. Although I'm not one to talk, I'll do it occasionally, but only if the cat seems friendly enough and I'm not heading directly back home to my puss. Fun fact, if you see a stray cat with the tip of it's ear missing (at least in the U.S.), it likely has been taken to a shelter before and was spayed/neutered and likely given preventative shots. They clip the ear as a universal symbol for the procedure in case the cat is captured again. Last edited by simplephysics; 11-10-2014 at 02:16 PM.

11-10-2014, 07:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Just so you know, I'm one of those who always calls to dogs and tries to pet them when I'm out. When I had a dog and was out walking him I would have no problem with anyone coming up and petting him, though I don't remember anyone doing so. As for cats, obviously feral cats are out. You just don't go near them. But if a cat is reasonably plump and has a collar, and seems approachable I will always try to pet them. I've made friends with quite a few cats here that way, and now when they see me they come running for their pets. There is one who always runs away though: maybe it's my cologne? Seriously though, I would not advise anyone to pet or approach a cat that looks feral, or does not allow the approach. They're flighty creatures and could easily scratch you or worse if you piss them off. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

11-10-2014, 10:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	When I see a cat walking around, I go and pet it. When I see somebody walking a dog, I usually go up to them and tell them that they have a very cute dog. Most of the time they get into a conversation and you end up talking about their dog for a few minutes, which can be fun. I personally believe that if you're going out with your dog (or cat) and you get annoyed by people saying you have a cute pet, there's something wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with just letting the person know that they shouldn't pet the dog or w/e, but to get upset about it just isn't fair.