Why does my cat do this?

I have a couple of questions if someone could please help me out. I know this is long but please bear with me.

1) My himalayan cat, Emma, is about 4 years old, she stays indoors (i think she is too scared to go outdoors) and she isn't "fixed". She does have a few very odd behaviors though. We have had her since she was a few weeks old and she is still really jumpy around my family. One slight move, drop a paper clip on the floor, and she goes bolting. We treat her very well and she has never suffered any harm which would make her so scared at the people she sees every day. She also NEVER comes when she is called. I understand if she is not a "people cat" but to be so scared?? She is also terrified of my dad.

2)Every month, and I'm assuming it is because she isn't "fixed", she gets into her "mood" as we call it. She squats around the house meowing nonstop and rubbing into EVERYTHING. Also she is overly friendly, wants to be pet and wraps her front legs around our arms when we do pet her. If she lays down while we are around, she has her behind stuck up in the air and if we try to pick her up, she straightens her back and it appears to be painful to her stomach area. If this is normal behavior for a cat who isn't fixed, is she at all suffering? Is it really that important to get her fixed if she never goes outside?

If anyone knows any answers could please help me or has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks --[[email protected]] email me!

Um, you are probably going to get about 1000 responses to this post. It is a very "strong" subject here when you discuss having your cat spayed. I'll take the liberty of going first.
You should have her spayed even if she is an indoor kitty. You say there is 0% chance of her having kittens since she stays inside. But I believe I've read there are a lot of other benefits, such as avoiding mamammary cancer and other "female" stuff.
As far as her going into heat, it would solve that problem as well. And from experience from a previous cat I had a looooonnnggg time ago, when she was in heat, she would BOLT out the door if given the chance.

I just had my cat sunshine spayed. It was fairly inexpensive ( about $85.00), and she recovered quickly.
You also may want to consider the fact that she won't have those "moods" you write about anymore because the hormones will go down. Will probably make your life a bit more peaceful as well!! Please consider having her spayed, for her own benefit.
Ok who's next????

Good luck.

Well, its a fact that cats are happier and healthier if they are spayed/neutered. They also tend to live longer. There is always a chance, no matter how slight, that she may escape outside and get pregnant. Then you have the problem of finding homes for the resulting kittens. With so many cats in shelters needing homes, it isn't fair to bring about the possibilty of adding to the problem . I have three female kittens who are 4 months old, and I'm having them all fixed in a couple of months, I would definitely recommend you do the same for Emma.

By the way, I meant to address what you said about her not coming when called.
None of my 3 cats I've ever had, have ever responded. BUT, my cat Sunshine will come if you "click" your tongue.:tounge2: Don't ask me how or why she does this, but if my husband makes that noise she comes right over. Wierdo!
I see people posting here that their cat can respond to its name, and I'd love to know how to train mine!!! Maybe we can both get our kitties to respond!!!

But she sounds like she has feral tendencies to me. Mine do this alot, no matter how comfortable they appear to be, or sleeping or whatever, they will jump at the slightest noise and bolt out of the room. All of mine were wild prior to being rescued.

I have to go along with the others about getting your inside kitty spayed. It will increase her life, and cut down on various cancers and other problems she could develop. Plus, you will have every Tom in the vicinity spraying around your home when she is in heat in the warmer months (because her scent will go out the open windows) Her behaviour will mellow as well and it really is the best thing to do. You can call around to different vet clinics and see if any offer low cost spay and neuter. The one near me does this all through the month of Jan. Also, if you feed Purina One, after so many weight circles saved on the bags, PO will pay $25.00 towards your vet bill- your vet should have the details at their office. Good luck

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post, I will definately go and have my cat spayed. I had no idea not spaying her could affect her life later on (besides pregnancy of course). Thanks again!

Five Good Reasons Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet

1) Spaying or neutering increases your pet's chances for a longer, healthier life.


Spaying your pet before her first estrous cycle (that is, before she reaches sexual maturity) greatly reduces her chances of developing breast cancer and completely eliminates the threat of uterine and ovarian cancer and uterine infection, which are common occurrences in unaltered females.

Neutering your male dog or cat prevents testicular tumors and may prevent prostate problems. Neutering also decreases the possibility of perianal tumors and hernias, which are commonly observed in older, unaltered dogs. Because neutered cats are less likely to roam, the threat of abscesses caused by bites and diseases transmitted by fighting are greatly reduced.
2) An altered dog or cat is a better pet for your family.


Males neutered early in life are less aggressive toward other males and are not distracted by females in heat. Therefore, a neutered male will be less tempted to leave your property and cross that dangerous highway searching for a mate. Neutered males also are less likely to mark every one of your (or your neighbor's) expensive shrubs with his urine as well as inside the house.

Spaying your female pet eliminates the problem of stray males camping in your yard and decreases her desire to roam and breed.
3) No family wants to cope with an unwanted pregnancy.

Spaying prevents your pet from giving birth to unwanted puppies or kittens.

4) Spaying results in a cleaner female dog and home.

Because female dogs pass bloody fluid for about ten days, twice a year, as a part of their estrous cycle, constant care must be taken to avoid carpet stains in homes with such animals. Spaying your dog eliminates this problem.

5) You are helping to alleviate the dog and cat overpopulation problem.

Each year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized (killed) at shelters across the country. Although pet behavioral problems are the main reasons animals are given to shelters, many orphans are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets. The more pets spayed or neutered, the fewer dogs and cats will have to be destroyed. Delaware Humane Association does not euthanized; however, hundreds of dogs and cats are turned away each year because there is simply not enough room at the shelter to accommodate them.

Thanks again to Hissy, that list is really helpful. I will show it to my mom so she can understand why spaying is important too and we can get Emma spayed finally and not have to put up with her "mood" every month!