Cat flinching/Meowing

Question
I just got a new cat, saving her from the pound when her last owner died. She's only a year or so old. She's very sweet and healthy, and didn't have much of a history...But whenever we pet her or touch her, she flinches and lets out a meow, but allows us to pet her. Sometimes she doesn't flinch, but she ALWAYS meows when we go to touch her. Is there a reason for this? Was she abused? The flinching gave me that idea.

Answer
Alexandra,

The meowing when you pet her is not abnormal. I have one who 'squeaks' everytime you stroke her, and one even hisses when you pet him, but neither is done in fear or dislike of being petted, it's just a quirk of the cat.

The flinching may be because she was hit in the nose accidently when she was being petted or something similar. Try petting from the back of the head instead of your hand in front of her face. Also cats sometimes like their shoulders 'massaged' rather than straight petting.

Things are also new for her. Give her a chance to acclimate to her new home and new people.

Tabbi