TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Behavior › settling in rescue cat - growling for attention
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

settling in rescue cat - growling for attention

post #1 of 5
1/28/11 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hello, I'm Rebecca and I've just adopted a beautiful 3 year old male cat, Vismund. He's totally gorgeous, black with white mittens and socks and is settling in very well.

He's quite jumpy at times and will often growl and run off to hide when he hears someone walk outside the flat. I understand that - but as he's just come home with me two days ago, I've been very affectionate with him and pretty much dropping everything to fuss over him (he's SO snuggly).

However, I've noticed that when I cook, or sit down at the computer or whatever, he'll often growl at me, as if to get my attention. I've been trying not to stop everytime as this is not good behaviour but I just wanted to know:

a) am I reading his growl right? (he stops when I pet him). The growl is never overly loud/aggressive and he never bites or swipes.
b) is this common, and is he just seeking reassurance that I will not leave him?
c) Should I just ignore him completely? I am a student and need to my coursework on the computer so I can't be spending all day worshipping him

Thank you! I've had cats before but Vismund is my first 'all mine' pet.
Reply
post #2 of 5
1/28/11 at 1:27pm
ignore him- he is ill at ease in a new place, new sounds, new smells. Has he been vetted recently? Sometimes they growl because of pain. Unless he is rushing you or mock attacking you- I would just ignore him. Set up a schedule and stick to if of food, water in the same place, same times every day, litter box maintenance again- on a schedule don't deviate if you can help it. They like the routine and they will relax once they know their needs are taken care of. Take caution not to stare directly into his eyes, don't over stimulate him by petting him to much and just ignore him for a few days. Unless he shows signs of other aggression or sickness.
Reply
post #3 of 5
1/28/11 at 1:30pm
Thread Starter 
brilliant, thanks! He's been seen by the rescue vet - there, they dewormed, flea'd, neutered and vaccinated him. I am taking him to the vet next week for his final innoculation as he is due one last one.

Having said what I said, even after the little bit of ignoring I was doing while typing the question, he's settled down for a snooze on one of the throw cushions. I want to be a good cat mama, but I also know I can't encourage needing constant attention as learned behaviour with positive reinforcement is NOT good.

Anyway - thanks for your words...I will try to post a pic when I can get him to settle a bit, right now he just won't sit still enough for a picture!
Reply
post #4 of 5
2/14/11 at 2:29pm
Hi Rebecca,

We were the foster parents of Curtis (or now known as Vismund).
Since the lady at Cats Protection knew we were very attached to Vismund, she forwarded me the email you sent her to let us know that Vismund is settling very well with you. We are very pleased to know that because he is such a lovely cat and deserves to have a very good home and loving owner!

In fact, I asked Steph to pass on a message to the new owner that we would like to offer our assistance to babysit Vismund whenever the new owner is away or goes on holidays. However, due to data protection policy, she was not at liberty to forward my message to you. Anyways, having read your email, I thought I would give it a shot and see if there might be "one-in-a-million" chance that I could locate you and let you know our offer. So I typed "Rebecca" and "Vismund" and viola - here it is your post about his growls! He did that once with us after we fed him a small piece of very yummy pork chop! We were shocked by it but we knew he just loved that piece of meat so much he was trying to ask for more! So going back to what I was saying, my husband and I both love Curtis so very much and we would be thrilled to look after him in case if you would be away or on holidays etc and needed a temporary babysitter!

We hope you don't mind us contacting you this way. Please feel free to contact us if you think this would be helpful for you.

Kind regards,
Rene & Alistair
Reply
post #5 of 5
2/14/11 at 3:23pm
He sounds like a character- enjoy him! Yes, keep ignoring him.They don't like being ignored and come around a lot quicker if you pretend he isn't there- even if it kills you. See to his needs then pretend he doesn't exist, you two will be snuggling on his terms any time now!
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Behavior
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Behavior › settling in rescue cat - growling for attention