Getting Very Frustrated

We've had Seth for about 3 months now, and I thought she had come a long way. She's around 7 1/2-8 months old now.

She had a real biting/clawing problem, and pretty much did not like being touched by anyone and would strike out if anyone got near her. She had gotten to the point where she would rub against me and let me pet her on her head and down her back (and very rarely bit us), but these past two days she has been striking out at me again... biting me when I pet her, attacking my feet when I walk past, running away when I look at her, and being in a foul mood in general. She has also been hiding in corners instead of sleeping in her usual spot out in the open. It makes me very sad that she doesn't want to be near me or my husband, and I just don't know what to do. Nothing has changed to warrant this behaviour!

We have feliway spray (which i've been using), and I also have a diffuser on the way. She has regular playtimes (3 times a day, which wears me out as it is), and is eating normally. I haven't been pressuring her to be near me or invading her areas, so I don't know what has happened!

She might be sick, or something might have happened to frighten her. Have you talked to your vet?

Good luck with this!

My husband is working 6 day/wk shifts, and I have no car. The only day he is off, the vet is not open--so i am unable to take her to a vet. Her stool is normal, and from what I can tell, nothing is wrong.

I went to pet her head earlier when she was sleeping (like she usually lets me), and she freaked out, put her ears back, wrapped her arms around me and bit me really hard! So, I'm very upset that my little girl is lashing out at me again.... We've always thought she was semi-feral because she was always skittish and bitey, but I thought I could help her open up (and thought I was). We also have an appointment this weekend at a cat shelter to perhaps adopt a companion for her, but I don't know how this will work out if she's reacting this way to even us.

Originally Posted by Nekomimi

My husband is working 6 day/wk shifts, and I have no car. The only day he is off, the vet is not open--so i am unable to take her to a vet. Her stool is normal, and from what I can tell, nothing is wrong.

I went to pet her head earlier when she was sleeping (like she usually lets me), and she freaked out, put her ears back, wrapped her arms around me and bit me really hard! So, I'm very upset that my little girl is lashing out at me again....

We've always thought she was semi-feral because she was always skittish and bitey, but I thought I could help her open up (and thought I was). We also have an appointment this weekend at a cat shelter to perhaps adopt a companion for her, but I don't know how this will work out if she's reacting this way to even us.

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Is it possible to drive your husband to work and pick him up later so you can take her in? If not, maybe you can get a friend or neighbor to drive you. It sounds like she's breaking your heart and you need to get to the bottom of this. If it turned out that there was a medical problem, you would feel very bad if you didn't take her in. Has she ever been to the vet?

Yes, she had just visited the vet about 3-4 weeks ago, and everything was fine.

I'll keep an eye on her for a few more days, and see how it turns out. I just read some information about ferals and semi-ferals, and it says it is very common for them to take steps back in their progress in order to test you. I will try to be more patient with her. I'm just having a rough day--not feeling so well--and I wish she was my sweet little girl today!

As for driving my husband's car, it's a long drive to his job, so it wouldn't really be possible. I don't know any of my neighbours and I don't have any family in the area.

I'm not sure I'd get another cat until this gets settled. I don't know much about ferals (We adopted one when I was in junior high), but getting another animal is stressful. I think the stress could make Seth worse.

If medical conditions have been ruled out, have you tried ignoring her most of the time and letting her approach you?

Originally Posted by Rockcat

If medical conditions have been ruled out, have you tried ignoring her most of the time and letting her approach you?

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That's what we do most of the time, actually, and it had been working well.

I called her in the kitchen for some treats just recently, and she slowly came out from under the couch. She eventually came out; I gave her a few treats and patted her a couple of times on the head. She then laid in the kitchen floor while I prepared some sweet potatoes. I talked to her sweetly, and she seemed pretty comfortable. We played with her fishing toy for a few minutes and she went under the couch for her naptime. A little bit later, I laid down beside her and talked to her (didn't touch her), and she stretched and showed me her tummy.

Maybe she's just feeling a little stressed because my hubby is gone all the time. I know she has already pitched many fits when he has gone back to work, and he has just recently switched to a very demanding schedule. It's hard on me I know!

Originally Posted by PurrPaws

I'm not sure I'd get another cat until this gets settled. I don't know much about ferals (We adopted one when I was in junior high), but getting another animal is stressful. I think the stress could make Seth worse.

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The thing I've noticed at the shelter is that the cats that are most scared of people tend to love other cats, but I agree a new cat in her territory will stress her out. Have you tried food rewards when she allows you to pay attention to her. I don't know a whole lot about ferrals so maybe this isn't a good idea, but my Maggie's mom was ferral & I swear she came around because we would always feed her when we cleaned her cage.

Originally Posted by Rang_27

The thing I've noticed at the shelter is that the cats that are most scared of people tend to love other cats, but I agree a new cat in her territory will stress her out. Have you tried food rewards when she allows you to pay attention to her. I don't know a whole lot about ferrals so maybe this isn't a good idea, but my Maggie's mom was ferral & I swear she came around because we would always feed her when we cleaned her cage.

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Yes! She loves her treats and her canned food. And she loves to be petted while she's eating her canned food! She will raise her tail up and push against me while she's eating, so it's a wonderful time for me every morning.

After a few days of observation, Seth seems to be back to her sweet self. I don't know if she goes through mood swings due to the moon cycles, or if she just wants to test us in order to trust us more.

We took her to get her toenails clipped yesterday, and she was an angel! I kept her (in her carrier) in my lap on the ride, and she just cuddled next to me through the wire and purred.

She's changing every day, and lately she's been getting into more things, exploring countertops and hiding in the kitchen sink only to pop out and scare the crap out of me when I'm searching for her!

I just want my little girl to be happy, and I hope she stays in a good mood!