(http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=195628)
Sorry this is kind of long! I am so grateful to each and every one of you who reads through it!
An elderly elderly couple came into Petsmart to surrender their cat while I was there adopting another cat. The rescue had nowhere for the cat to go, so they asked me to foster- I accepted. One of the guys there held her in his lap for a very long time. While she was obviously very uncomfortable and scared, she didn't growl/hiss, scratch or bite.
According to the couple, she was more-or-less stuck to a cactus when they rescued her. (Don't know what age exactly, but she is 8/9 months old now.) She recovered with vet treatment and they kept her, however, their GSD hates cats. So for the past six months she's lived in a cage.
FF>> back to today.. I tried to let her settle in my room without any other people or pets. She pretty much went nuts- literally running around and hissing at invisible nothings. So I put her in the bathroom instead, thinking the wide open space might have been too overwhelming for her? It seemed to calm her down a little bit. She met Pumpkin & didn't like him, but didn't care about him either. What really blows me away and breaks my heart is that this cat pets herself with inanimate objects (rubbing against the cat box, corners, toilet, etc.). (I know all cats do this, but with her it's really extreme - not quite sure how to explain it
- and it's the only time she won't growl or hiss.) When she wants and allows me to pet her, she will rub against me, too, like a cat acts when they like/want to be pet.. but she hisses and growls the entire time. Her body language is "man, those scratches feel great!", even rolls over on her back to seemingly invites tummy rub.. but she's talking an entirely different story. She did the same thing when I was feeding her. She'll also give me "lovey eyes".. the slow, closed eye blinking.. but still growling deeply.
Awhile ago I went back in to see if her water/food needed filling or the box needed cleaned. At some point she decided to go after me and got my hand with her teeth pretty good. Pumpkin (Mr. I Love All Cats!) almost kicked her a** when she pulled that. But then she rubbed all over me.. hissing. And now I can't so much as crack the door without her going into attack mode.
Fosters, shelter/rescue workers.. I have no doubt that living cooped up in a cage for so long while a drooling dog circled it has had a major impact on this cat. But you guys who have experience, I'd very much appreciate your wisdom: what is happening here & what do I do? She can't be in the general population right now as she is much too unpredictable and volatile. The inconsistent body language/vocals are bizarre and have me completely stumped! I feel so bad for this girl.. just want to help her & not hand her off if I don't have to.
Sorry this is kind of long! I am so grateful to each and every one of you who reads through it!
An elderly elderly couple came into Petsmart to surrender their cat while I was there adopting another cat. The rescue had nowhere for the cat to go, so they asked me to foster- I accepted. One of the guys there held her in his lap for a very long time. While she was obviously very uncomfortable and scared, she didn't growl/hiss, scratch or bite.
According to the couple, she was more-or-less stuck to a cactus when they rescued her. (Don't know what age exactly, but she is 8/9 months old now.) She recovered with vet treatment and they kept her, however, their GSD hates cats. So for the past six months she's lived in a cage.
FF>> back to today.. I tried to let her settle in my room without any other people or pets. She pretty much went nuts- literally running around and hissing at invisible nothings. So I put her in the bathroom instead, thinking the wide open space might have been too overwhelming for her? It seemed to calm her down a little bit. She met Pumpkin & didn't like him, but didn't care about him either. What really blows me away and breaks my heart is that this cat pets herself with inanimate objects (rubbing against the cat box, corners, toilet, etc.). (I know all cats do this, but with her it's really extreme - not quite sure how to explain it
Awhile ago I went back in to see if her water/food needed filling or the box needed cleaned. At some point she decided to go after me and got my hand with her teeth pretty good. Pumpkin (Mr. I Love All Cats!) almost kicked her a** when she pulled that. But then she rubbed all over me.. hissing. And now I can't so much as crack the door without her going into attack mode.
Fosters, shelter/rescue workers.. I have no doubt that living cooped up in a cage for so long while a drooling dog circled it has had a major impact on this cat. But you guys who have experience, I'd very much appreciate your wisdom: what is happening here & what do I do? She can't be in the general population right now as she is much too unpredictable and volatile. The inconsistent body language/vocals are bizarre and have me completely stumped! I feel so bad for this girl.. just want to help her & not hand her off if I don't have to.