I adopted a rescue cat from West Kent RSPCA 2 weeks ago. I live with my husband, we have no other pets or young children running around. All I know about snuggles is that her previous owner could no longer look after her, the shelter did not expand on that and to be honest, I didnt think to ask. We are experiencing a problem which has left me perplexed as she doesn't seem to like being petted, is reluctant to be touched. When she first arrived, she appeared very ok with contact, but a day or two later, while she lazed close to me, i stroked her and she swiped me with her paw. Initially I just thought she wasnt in the mood to be petted, but this has continued and I am not sure what to do about this. The odd thing is, if we leave the room, she will seek us out and settle in the room that we are in. She sleeps on our bed and has done since the first day she arrived, and follows us downstairs as soon as we are up and awake. On the one hand she seems to like being with myself and my husband and when the mood takes her, rubs herself up against my leg. But today, she was doing this, and I picked her up and she bit my nose which really made me uneasy. Later on in the day, I gently and brefly stroked her head and she clawed me. I yelled out 'NO' to her as I was afraid this was escalating and I am concerned when people drop by and I find myself on edge incase they pet the cat. I now feel bad for shouting at her that way and am worried she may never trust now. I'm mindful that shes only been with us two weeks, but wondered if this was usual behaviour for a rescue cat who had gone from one home to another, and if someone could advise me on how to handle this.
I feel like ive ruined any relationship we may have had by yelling NO but two attacks in 3 hours really upset me, ive not stopped thinking about it all day. I read on here someone who had a similar problem was advised to ignore their cat for a few days, and read somewhere else that I should be more proactive about getting her to see I am not going to harm her by stroking her and giving a treat when she doesnt attack. Its breaking my heart and I dont know what to do. I have a young grandaughter and my son has a new baby due any day and I,m anxious the cat wont settle down and may be aggressive towards them too. I also think Im thinking about this too much and that its early days and I need to just chill out. HELP!
I feel like ive ruined any relationship we may have had by yelling NO but two attacks in 3 hours really upset me, ive not stopped thinking about it all day. I read on here someone who had a similar problem was advised to ignore their cat for a few days, and read somewhere else that I should be more proactive about getting her to see I am not going to harm her by stroking her and giving a treat when she doesnt attack. Its breaking my heart and I dont know what to do. I have a young grandaughter and my son has a new baby due any day and I,m anxious the cat wont settle down and may be aggressive towards them too. I also think Im thinking about this too much and that its early days and I need to just chill out. HELP!
