When Schooner wants something (i.e. attention, solitude, the brush), he lets you know it vocally and/or with distinct body language. If you don’t give it to him, he also lets you know it – he’s a very good communicator. For as aggressive as he can be (sometimes when he’s really mad he’ll chase me down and nip at my leg as I try to leave him alone), he is oddly afraid of any loud sounds or quick movements, including the seagulls as they walk around on our roof.
He was declawed (all 4 feet) by the people who used to own him and their young children used to tease him pretty badly, so he tends to bite when he’s both mad and playful (harder when he’s mad), and uses rapid punches or ‘swats of the paw’ when defensive, which are quite powerful. We love him anyway and we’re slowly gaining more and more of his trust…besides, he feels really bad when he’s gone too far and draws blood.
Letting me know with ‘the look’ while holding my hand down that he doesn’t want me to pet him. Actually, I think he’s just mad at me because I stopped brushing him when he clearly wanted more, so he jumped up on the couch next to me and then gave me attitude when I reached out to him. Very finicky this cat…
I stop petting him but leave my hand on the couch too long…
…and suffer the consequences. He only draws blood if I persist or fight back, but in this case I let him get in his bite without reacting and it’s enough – point made and taken.