Ideas on why Catalina...?

[LivingInHope]

This morning, Catalina set a record for her & me on the number of times she rubbed her mouth on my big toe/toenail.

On three different occasions in a short time, she rubbed her slightly open mouth on it- I think total was 7 times of rubbing.  After the last time, she opened her mouth up and kind of bit my big toe, except her teeth didn't break skin.  I let her know I disapproved, because it hurt a little.  I thought maybe she wanted to play after, because she lay in her playful position looking friendly-faced and cute.  But she didn't seem interested in the mouse I subsequently brought her.  Any ideas on why this behaviour?  

[LivingInHope]

I hope she doesn't cut herself on the tomato plant wire!  I don't think you'd mentioned that before- I do use my nails on her some- she really likes it often times near her ears and under chin, not as excited about it on her sensitive back area.  I think she's not nearly as sensitive as she was when we first got her, where I was fearful of brushing quite a bit of her back because she didn't like it at ALL.

[Jade59]

Hi Surgi,

Aww...Catalina is giving you lovin's.  We just went through the whole routine with Jade all over my husband last night.  It might be the shampoo or soap as Nancy said, since my husband is straight out of the shower. It would make a cute video and we're thinking about borrowing my sisters camera.  Might be a hit on youtube, lol.  You never know.

I worry, too, about the rubbing sharp things with the mouth.  No injuries yet - I do try to monitor her and not let her get over zealous with the flea comb although she wants to.  My worry is rubbing her mouth on the tomato plant wire.  Really sharp.  You would think it would hurt!

I am thrilled to read your earlier post that Cat's leg is healing up.  Great news!  And about her back sensitivity.  I'm not sure if we've talked of this before, but Jade is the same and what I do each day is use my nails to scratch her back and rough up her fur (of course you want to start of very slowly since Cat may not be used to this) with special concentration down near her tail.  I am to the point where I can brush her fur backwards and in doing this, the sensitivity has gotten Much better.  There was a great discussion about this - I think I have it on "watch" so I'll go look.  

[LivingInHope]

Today, she not only rubbed her mouth on my toes, she gave my foot a lick too!

[nancyjac]

They are getting turned on by the smell, similar to with cat nip.  Toes, feet, hair, and anyplace else that might a pronounced odor, either naturally or from shampoos, soaps, lotions, etc., can cause this response.

[LivingInHope]

I wondered if it was a territory marking only w/mouth instead of cheek with the rubbing.  But also wonder if she's using my toenail as a scratching post.

She likes to rub her chin on the wire brush, and today I was worried she might hurt her tongue because it was like she was trying to eat the brush or scratch it inside her mouth or something.  

She's really sensitive on the back half of the top of her back w/the brush.  But, a piece of good news, truly a blessing from God if I'm right about this- it seems she's let her leg heal up from the self-inflicted wound she kept opening up!

[Jade59]

Hi, nice to see you.  You know, Jade does the same type of thing on my husbands head when he's lying on the floor.  Rubs her face all over his hair until she's all charged up, then begins to give little bites, but like you said, not break the skin, but Then, she will begin to use her claws on his head (which doesn't last long since yes, it's painful) along with the bites and what this all actually means, we don't know for sure.  If my husband trys to pet her during all this, that is rejected - Jade just wants to rub her face all over his head, lol.  It's some sort of loving gesture, I believe.