(no subject)

[elvendoll]

today, for the first day in two+ weeks, i can think thoughts that aren't pianopianopiano, which means it's high time to curl up with my school reading. i have a strong feeling i will enjoy the reading once i get into it, but i'm also anxious about how long it will take me to do so.
i'm really growing to despise the lack of reading for pleasure while i'm taking classes - there are so many books that i really really want to read, but i just can't get there while there's school reading to be done - and it makes me really resent knowing that i'm going to be taking continuous classes for the next year or so and still won't be done then.
and, as usual, umass is being flaky - they don't have the final summer calendar up yet like they said they would, and registration starts in a month.


also, catlogic question:
i have a really sweet and gentle cat. she loves me and follows me around when i'm home, but she's also very independent and doesn't like too much affection - if she lets herself be pet, it doesn't last very long - 15 minutes a day is my mental estimate - and when she's done being pet, she just walks away.
her way of showing affection is usually licking my hand - and she'll hold it in place with one or two of her paws while doing it.
now, twice in the last week, she took my hand and gave me a single & firm bite each time. i'm fairly sure she's done this before, but not in over a year, and i don't think the bites were quite as firm before. (after biting me, she continues wanting petting and purring for a few minutes)
does this mean she's been feeling neglected lately, or is there some other issue i should keep my eyes open for?

Comments

cat biting

[darxus.livejournal.com]

You shure she isn't just trying to play ? Grabbing my arm with both paws and wrapping his jaws around my hand is quite normal for my cat (I don't discourage it).

Re: cat biting

[elvendoll.livejournal.com]

nope, the bites are too slow/methodical to be playing, and she wants to be pet afterwards...
she's fairly standoffish about playing with humans directly, although every once in a while, she can roughhouse with a gloved or otherwise covered hand...

[dwerenat.livejournal.com]

My cat used to do it after licking for a minute or two. Same way, she'd grab my hand with a paw and bite and go right back to shmoozing for a rub. I happened a bit too predictably to be a warning of any kind. What happened before the bite would actually indicate that the bite itself may be a form of affection. We simply don't know what to make of it. My veterinarian suggested this to me a year or so back when Odin started doing it as well as his mom before him.

[elvendoll.livejournal.com]

thank you, that's good to hear : )

[kittypie.livejournal.com]

my cat bites sometimes when she's playing, and it's not very aggressive, she just gets a little overexcited and forgets that we have pierce-able skin :( hehe don't worry about it too much.

[maighread.livejournal.com]

Cat's bite for two reasons: to kill & eat or to communicate.

Although you look tasty, I think she's probably trying to communicate! =) In order to figure out what she's trying to tell you, watch her carefully.

*A bite only when you touch certain areas can mean that that area hurts (check for bumps or scratched/bite marks hidden under the hair).

*A nip after you've been petting her can mean that she's had enough, thank you very much! Or that maybe you've hit a spot she doesn't like to have petted. Some cats just don't like to be touched in certain areas.

*A series of bits & licks can just mean that you're being groomed or that she's playful.

Listen for her to growl. Sometimes growls are playful, but mostly it means that a cat is scared, anrgy or unhappy.

Does she still lick you or is it only bites now?

If I had to guess, I'd say that she's still just settling in with the new cat. She may not like having company there - bringing in a new cat can change the personality of cats who are used to being single cats.

[elvendoll.livejournal.com]

hrmmmm...

she definately didn't want to stop being pet, and she grabbed my hand beforehand, the way she does when she goes to lick it, so i don't think it was an 'ow, you hurt me' bite..

i guess i'll just take it as affection/'hey, pay attention to me!'