One year ago, a lovely calico decided to move into my home. She was about 1 1/2 years old than. The owner had a habit of leaving her out doors day and night. When he moved, I gladly negotiated taking her in as she was already coming in for breakfast and curling up for a good snooze every day. I leave my door open in warm months, she loves to belong somewhere and found me a willing receiver.
She doesn't like to be picked up. From time to time, I do but we always have a skirmish of sorts. She will howl, stiffen, resist and scramble a bit. Despite this behavior she has been to the vet's for normal care. From time to time I pick her up for no reason and put her down. She has seen me pick up my other house cat and watches the calmness of the action.
Yesterday, she scooted out the door after dark and I grabbed catching her tail to stop her. I know this hurt. She seems okay this morning but I am tired of the resistance. How do you normalize a basic necessity with a cat? I have to pick her up from time to time. I am tired of a fight. I am bothered that after a year of steady loving care, she doesn't trust this action. How can I make this more comfortable for both of us?
She doesn't like to be picked up. From time to time, I do but we always have a skirmish of sorts. She will howl, stiffen, resist and scramble a bit. Despite this behavior she has been to the vet's for normal care. From time to time I pick her up for no reason and put her down. She has seen me pick up my other house cat and watches the calmness of the action.
Yesterday, she scooted out the door after dark and I grabbed catching her tail to stop her. I know this hurt. She seems okay this morning but I am tired of the resistance. How do you normalize a basic necessity with a cat? I have to pick her up from time to time. I am tired of a fight. I am bothered that after a year of steady loving care, she doesn't trust this action. How can I make this more comfortable for both of us?