- Joined
- Aug 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1
- Purraise
- 1
I've had and loved cats for MOST of my life, despite the fact that my dad (an older man in the southeast United States) loathes them. There were times when I was a kid that we, unfortunately, were a veritable kitty farm--all the neighbourhood toms just loved our two or three pretty female cats, and they'd just have litters all the time. (It wasn't as easy to get pets fixed in our area at that time, as a note regarding that.)
So, I'm used to cats, their behaviours, how to act around them... But mainly, I'm used to cats that I've been around most of their lives/that have already been around people a while (our first cat, and grandfather of most of the cats we had, was a wonderful red persian). My cat Buddy (last of aforementioned line of cats) died a few years back after a feral dog attack--the cats have to live outside because of my mom's allergies and dad's feelings, and before this there had been no problems--and my dad forbade us from getting another.
Until recently.
A neighbourhood cat--a small, grey-and-black tabby--had kittens. She had them who-knows-where for the longest time, and then when they were big enough to be out-and-about but still have that pokeytail, she took them to our neighbour's front porch. Long story short, we got to keep TWO, miracle of miracles!
One is a black cat (I believe they're young adolescents by now) with white paws, chest, belly, and moustache. She's named Mario (named by neighbours). The other is Shiro, and I think SURELY he is part or half Siamese. He is taller, more athletic looking by far, and his coat is a creamy sort of shade. He has dark, long ears, and a dark face. Very lovely and sharp blue eyes. Dark tail, dark feet. On his back, he has slightly-darker-tannish stripes similar to his mom's. His dark, siamese-like spots are a bit mottled with this same pattern. They are very handsome kitties, both fixed, both had their shots.
But they have not always been around humans. By now they are decently loving...not quite as much as I'm used to from a cat their size, though. They follow me around the yard very readily, and both are interested in whatever I'm doing out there---ESPECIALLY Shiro (he is very inquisitive). They love to play, and Shiro enjoys climbing and running about.
They are relatively quiet, Mario more vocal than Shiro.
When I pet them, they will often seem VERY unsure of it at first, but then relax a bit and start purring. Sometimes they just seem to say, "No, don't touch me right yet." Shiro is more prone to this than Mario--specifically, he dips down his back instead of raising his bum like he might normally. They purr frequently. They don't rub against me/my hand/legs often at all...pretty much never. I find this odd. Shiro also bites very frequently. I don't mean aggressively, mind you...but he will turn his head and nip sometimes as you pet, and frequently start gently batting like he wants to play. (They both tend to do this much more if they are already lying down.) They are BOTH very gentle with such, very little claws or teeth involved, but this kind of play isn't acceptable for a grown cat, whose claws are way too sharp.
They are both okay with being picked up (only by me) and being held for a while and petted. When I do it, they will purr a great deal and look relaxed--Shiro enjoys this more than Mario. They do not like being in my lap. I find this odd, but not a big deal--especially since it's still fairly warm outside.
Shiro also tends to chew on things--he was chewing my phone the other day. (Is he teething? Do cats teethe that old?) He also likes to paw lightly at things...like he's poking them for one reason or another. He'll poke at my fingers to see if I'm holding anything, poke to get my hand closer, et cetera. Gentle pokes.
They do not roll over to show submissiveness or playfulness nearly as often as I remember other cats doing. They are very, very reliant on one another: naps, play, they always have to be within sight of the other or one will generally start whining.
There is also another factor. I have two young nephews (5 and 7). The older one is gentle, but still reckless (plays on his bike and the like too close to them). The younger one...is a holy terror to them. He will 'gently' try to pet them one moment, then tug on their tails a bit. Or start screaming, or spray water at them, or....chase them with a fly swatter. When either kid is outside, the kittens want less to do with me, and often go into hiding. When the kids are gone/inside, Mario and Shiro are much more open, adventurous, and willing to interact like a normal cat. But even then, I see the nervous behaviour.
Now for my questions, since I've given all this data (and do pardon me if I've rambled, I'm tired and it's late!).
---Do you think this shy behaviour is a result of not being around humans from early on, or is it the nephews? Or both? My dad, unfortunately, is also a bit unkind to them (yelling at them when they're on the new concrete patio, even though they like to be there because it's cool and because it's near us). How can I ever totally win over their trust, for either case? Many of my cats have been totally loyal, following me everywhere and going right up into my lap whenever I sat. They seem off to an okayish start...but I'd like to see them more relaxed and happier/affectionate. Cats shouldn't be tense at all in their own homespace, I think.
---What kind of quirky behaviour might I see from a tabby/Siamese mix??? I don't know a lot about the Siamese breed, and since he's mixed surely that will make him more...different. XD
---What do I do about the cats' nippy play behaviour? It's so gentle compared to some cats I've had do that...but I can't exactly say that it'd stay that way, and even now it's not what I want them to do. Sticks, strings, and toys are more fun.
I believe they will make excellent cats, despite their start, but...I am not quite sure what to do. I've had a similar situation only ONCE--a neighbourhood tom took a shine to me when I was about ten. I named him Zoot, and he became extremely loyal and sweet. Dad unfortunately took him off and dumped him somewhere...but with THAT fellow (who was an adult when he came to us) I had success in "reforming" him with no problem.
So, I'm used to cats, their behaviours, how to act around them... But mainly, I'm used to cats that I've been around most of their lives/that have already been around people a while (our first cat, and grandfather of most of the cats we had, was a wonderful red persian). My cat Buddy (last of aforementioned line of cats) died a few years back after a feral dog attack--the cats have to live outside because of my mom's allergies and dad's feelings, and before this there had been no problems--and my dad forbade us from getting another.
Until recently.
A neighbourhood cat--a small, grey-and-black tabby--had kittens. She had them who-knows-where for the longest time, and then when they were big enough to be out-and-about but still have that pokeytail, she took them to our neighbour's front porch. Long story short, we got to keep TWO, miracle of miracles!
One is a black cat (I believe they're young adolescents by now) with white paws, chest, belly, and moustache. She's named Mario (named by neighbours). The other is Shiro, and I think SURELY he is part or half Siamese. He is taller, more athletic looking by far, and his coat is a creamy sort of shade. He has dark, long ears, and a dark face. Very lovely and sharp blue eyes. Dark tail, dark feet. On his back, he has slightly-darker-tannish stripes similar to his mom's. His dark, siamese-like spots are a bit mottled with this same pattern. They are very handsome kitties, both fixed, both had their shots.
But they have not always been around humans. By now they are decently loving...not quite as much as I'm used to from a cat their size, though. They follow me around the yard very readily, and both are interested in whatever I'm doing out there---ESPECIALLY Shiro (he is very inquisitive). They love to play, and Shiro enjoys climbing and running about.
They are relatively quiet, Mario more vocal than Shiro.
When I pet them, they will often seem VERY unsure of it at first, but then relax a bit and start purring. Sometimes they just seem to say, "No, don't touch me right yet." Shiro is more prone to this than Mario--specifically, he dips down his back instead of raising his bum like he might normally. They purr frequently. They don't rub against me/my hand/legs often at all...pretty much never. I find this odd. Shiro also bites very frequently. I don't mean aggressively, mind you...but he will turn his head and nip sometimes as you pet, and frequently start gently batting like he wants to play. (They both tend to do this much more if they are already lying down.) They are BOTH very gentle with such, very little claws or teeth involved, but this kind of play isn't acceptable for a grown cat, whose claws are way too sharp.
They are both okay with being picked up (only by me) and being held for a while and petted. When I do it, they will purr a great deal and look relaxed--Shiro enjoys this more than Mario. They do not like being in my lap. I find this odd, but not a big deal--especially since it's still fairly warm outside.
Shiro also tends to chew on things--he was chewing my phone the other day. (Is he teething? Do cats teethe that old?) He also likes to paw lightly at things...like he's poking them for one reason or another. He'll poke at my fingers to see if I'm holding anything, poke to get my hand closer, et cetera. Gentle pokes.
They do not roll over to show submissiveness or playfulness nearly as often as I remember other cats doing. They are very, very reliant on one another: naps, play, they always have to be within sight of the other or one will generally start whining.
There is also another factor. I have two young nephews (5 and 7). The older one is gentle, but still reckless (plays on his bike and the like too close to them). The younger one...is a holy terror to them. He will 'gently' try to pet them one moment, then tug on their tails a bit. Or start screaming, or spray water at them, or....chase them with a fly swatter. When either kid is outside, the kittens want less to do with me, and often go into hiding. When the kids are gone/inside, Mario and Shiro are much more open, adventurous, and willing to interact like a normal cat. But even then, I see the nervous behaviour.
Now for my questions, since I've given all this data (and do pardon me if I've rambled, I'm tired and it's late!).
---Do you think this shy behaviour is a result of not being around humans from early on, or is it the nephews? Or both? My dad, unfortunately, is also a bit unkind to them (yelling at them when they're on the new concrete patio, even though they like to be there because it's cool and because it's near us). How can I ever totally win over their trust, for either case? Many of my cats have been totally loyal, following me everywhere and going right up into my lap whenever I sat. They seem off to an okayish start...but I'd like to see them more relaxed and happier/affectionate. Cats shouldn't be tense at all in their own homespace, I think.
---What kind of quirky behaviour might I see from a tabby/Siamese mix??? I don't know a lot about the Siamese breed, and since he's mixed surely that will make him more...different. XD
---What do I do about the cats' nippy play behaviour? It's so gentle compared to some cats I've had do that...but I can't exactly say that it'd stay that way, and even now it's not what I want them to do. Sticks, strings, and toys are more fun.
I believe they will make excellent cats, despite their start, but...I am not quite sure what to do. I've had a similar situation only ONCE--a neighbourhood tom took a shine to me when I was about ten. I named him Zoot, and he became extremely loyal and sweet. Dad unfortunately took him off and dumped him somewhere...but with THAT fellow (who was an adult when he came to us) I had success in "reforming" him with no problem.
