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Doesn't like the smell of my hands

post #1 of 12
1/9/10 at 5:26pm
Thread Starter 
I noticed that Boomer will back away when he smells my hands and fingers. I have tried petting him, and then pet Chloe in front of him to show him that hands are nice AND spread the scent between them. Didn't seem to work. He would still sniff my hand and move away. He's fine with my petting his back but doesn't want to rub his face scent glands on my hands. If I cover my hands with my sweatshirt he will rub against them.
Any tips on making myself less offensive to him? He wants to interact with my hands but can't get past the smell! LOL! (don't ask where else they have been)
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post #2 of 12
1/9/10 at 5:29pm
Do you have any feliway spray? You could spray your hands with that. I read where a shelter worker does that. Can't remember what forum that was in, may have been here.

On the other hand it may not be the smell, but hands in general. Mazy cat hated hands coming at her for quite a few years. She's much better about it now, but I learned early on to always approach her from the side, and with my hands behind my back. (in addition to the hands, Mazy always became very aggressive to the words kitty kitty. That term is NEVER used in this house!)
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post #3 of 12
1/9/10 at 5:55pm
Thread Starter 
He actually clearly walks up to my hand, sniffs it, and then backs away. He will do it every time. I only bought a feliway diffuser thing. I guess I could get some spray for my hands.
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post #4 of 12
1/9/10 at 6:03pm
Well, your first post was pretty clear about that, but I thought I'd offer the alternative anyway, just in case.

Do you use lotion? Perfume? Nail polish? Soap with a fragrance? Any of those things could be troubling him.
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post #5 of 12
1/9/10 at 6:08pm
^If any of those stop/change them for a while. A quick and easy alternative is to make your hands smell like something good to him - just not too good. Handle some cat food or human food.
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post #6 of 12
1/9/10 at 8:27pm
Yep, we have a cat that has a super sensitive smelling system - I also suggest you change whatever you regularly put on your hands, including the hand soap that you're using ... our Sensitive Smeller hates citrus - does whatever you're using have a citrus fragrance?

Our boy likes the smell of almond oil - maybe yours will too ???
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post #7 of 12
1/9/10 at 9:26pm
Maybe try putting socks on your hands.......then you can pet away!
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post #8 of 12
1/9/10 at 9:32pm
Thread Starter 
Soap? What's that?

Actually after I wash up in the morning and at night I always put moisturizer on my face and hands. During the day I am like most people and touch a million things. Anything from preparing dinner to scrubbing the floor. I wash in between but their noses are so much more acute than ours it could be hard to pinpoint the offending scent.
At least Chloe tolerates me! She has been a bit jealous which is understandable. She was sitting in my lap and Boomer walked by and she took some shots and hissed at him. Being a boy cat he just kinda ignored her and went on about his business. She gets mad when I brush him too and will step in the way. MY BRUSH!! MINE!!
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post #9 of 12
1/9/10 at 9:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheylink View Post
Maybe try putting socks on your hands.......then you can pet away!
Yeah, I stink. I know it LOL
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post #10 of 12
1/9/10 at 9:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoomerKitty View Post
Yeah, I stink. I know it LOL
Most people would think their socks stink more!
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post #11 of 12
1/11/10 at 5:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheylink View Post
Maybe try putting socks on your hands.......then you can pet away!
that's a good idea. If he'll accept that it will help him get used to whatever it is your hands smell like that bothers him. He'll still smell your hands through the socks, but it wil be diluted.
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post #12 of 12
1/16/10 at 7:59pm
My first thought was to feed him something yummy from your hands, someone already suggested that though.
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