Expert: Karen Craft - 8/23/2008

Question
Hi Karen, I am an expert here to, but in Windows XP, not cats, but I want to throw a couple questions your way, first do you think that animals (including cats) have a gene or some type of sixth sense that tells them "this human likes cats" because I seem to have a reverse problem even with Feral cats. I remember a few years ago, when I was living in another town, I had a feral cat show up, I named it Sugarbaby, because I felt that she once was a kitten from another cat I knew as SugarMamma, after only a few days (less than a week) SugarBaby owned me, I'd let her come in every now and then, she would jump on my lap and start her motor up and start licking my arm. Shortly after that, she would turn upside down on my lap, motor still going, I do know from what I have read that if I cat lays on it's back when your petting it, you just won a permanent friend.

Later one she had kittens (On our back porch, no less)

 She had no problem with me being near them, even when they started eating cat food, she would actually bring me two of her problem kittens (These were the ones who would climb on the roof and she had to get them down) and take off somewhere, I played with the kittens until they wore themselves out and went to sleep. She'd come back and carefully carry them back to her house then come back for attention. Ever since I was a kid, for some strange reason, I've always had animals adapt to me no matter what from cats, dogs, and I even had a horse try to follow me once.

I usually have no problem making friends with animals, one of my friends joked saying that it was because I have good animal magnatisim (Sorry).

Normally feral cats are afraid of people and would never let people near their kitties let alone bring them to you.
What do you think got in to Sugar or do some cats just warm up to certain people almost automatically?

Even a vet I talked to said he hasn't heard of this happening much.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Jeff,

I don't know if there is a study out there saying that animals are attracted to certain people. But I do know I have seen it and I believe it to be so. I know I can get almost any cat to come to me. I have a friend who can get any dog to do the same. She can charm them from the woods. But she doesn't like cats and it shows with them. They run from her. Not that she hates them or would harm them. She just doesn't care about them.

I think you are a very lucky person to have that ability. I believe that animals can sense who have their best interest at heart. I also believe that you may communicate your goodness towards them in very subtle signals that the animals pick up on. There aren't many people out there who can do this.

Just be careful. You might wind up with lots of furry friends. ;)

Ciao,Karen