Why is a friendly stray cat suddenly clawing and jumping at me?

Question

So there’s a stray black cat that’s visited us a few times now. We have some experience w/ cats that’ve walked up meowing & friendly, seeming like they had a home before & this stray did just that. The first time he let us pet him, feed him, & was even kind of playful. The second time he meowed & walked towards us w/ his tail up, but at the same time he wouldn’t stop trying to jump &claw at my legs (& it didn’t seem playful). We took precautions, but I’m just really curious why he acted that way. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male

Dr. Elizabeth · Accepted Answer

If only Kitty could talk! It’s impossible to know exactly why the cat would do that. Some cats will stand on their hind legs and try to use our legs almost like a scratching post and it’s not aggressive in all circumstances. Cats have secnt glands in the paws and scratching is a way to scent mark and claim an object. Always use your best judgment when interacting with animals. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Why is a friendly stray cat suddenly clawing and jumping at me?

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