Dogs in the street
 

No, not the name of a new indie band! I'm talking about people walking dogs. Or any pet really, but it's basically dogs innit? You don't see people with cats lizards or hamsters on leashes. Well, not here anyway....

This is obviously aimed at pet lovers. If you're not one, then it won't apply so don't bother responding.

So my question is this, answered from two different, or possibly both, perspectives:

When you're out and see someone walking a dog do you tend to go over and pet it, or if you see a cat or other pet on the street do you generally approach it?

If you're a pet owner, do you prefer people to approach you when you're out with your dog or pet panther or snake on a skateboard or whatever, or do you prefer to be left alone? In other words, are you bugged by people coming up and saying "What a lovely dog", "Here fella" etc, or do you like it when they do?

Obviously, gender is neutral here. Us guys all love it when a hot chick comes up to us when we're out with our dog, and vice versa, but that aside: we're talking about men going up to men, old women, old men etc. So it's purely for the pleasure of petting the dog or cat. How do you feel, and what do you tend to do?

Or do you even care?

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.

In my neighborhood everyone pretty much knows each other already. Pets included.

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

Agree.

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.

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.

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.

A lot people walk dogs on campus and sometimes I'll pet their dogs, yes.

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

Over here we call it 'clapping' instead of 'petting'. I always clap dogs, cats only if they're friendly. Cats are too evasive.