Behavior changes in normally happy cat.

My cat is approximately a year old. I adopted him from a shelter and from day one he has been very well behaved. He's usually wonderful with people and playful. He's never been a lap type of cat as he's usually busy playing, running around, or just sleeping.

Recently I moved to a new area and a new home and my cat did a wonderful job with the transition. He traveled like a champion, seemed to adapt with ease and all was well. The move was about a month and a half ago. Lately though, he's been much more aggressive and very stand offish. He very rarely wants to be touched and more than once when I've just gone to pet or stroke him he's lashed back with claws ready for war and biting.

He's always been playful and based on his age I can understand this to a point but he seems to be posturing in a much more aggresive way these days. His overall demeanor seems to have shifted a lot in the past week. I've always worked a lot of hours so he's use to being home alone a lot of the time. That was never a problem before so I have no idea what's up. Other physical symptoms include tail jerking back and forth and unprovoked periods of meows followed by random running around at full force. Eating habits have stayed the same. He's an indoor cat.

Any advice? Opinions? Guidance?

Thanks!

In my limited experience with cats, I've noticed that any abnormal behavior change is a sign something's wrong. First, I'd get the cat to the vet for a good check up. Cats are good at disguising hurts, aches, and pains and this will give you a starting point. Secondly, I'd invest in a couple of Comfort Zone w/ Feliway plug ins (or the spray). It could be that the place you moved into previously had pets and your cat is picking up that scent. Other than that, I have no other words of wisdom, but someone will be along pretty soon who will, I'm sure!

Stephanie

Originally Posted by stephanietx

any abnormal behavior change is a sign something's wrong. First, I'd get the cat to the vet for a good check up. Cats are good at disguising hurts, aches, and pains and this will give you a starting point. Stephanie

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The sudden "aggression" is not a thing to take lightly.

Sounds like someone does'nt feel comfortable with the change. This may sound wierd, but he may feel that he was forced and not part of or was'nt aware of this sudden move. Sometimes this can be very difficult for cats who are one mom/dad since often this includes the territory they know so well.
I recently tried to adopt a female 1 1/2 year old from a friend who as well was not home often and this was why she was looking to find a more attentive home for her. Bijou(kitty) would not eat, go to the bathroom, or come out from hideing for 2 days! So it ended up that my friend was the only mom! As soon as se got her home she ate and went to the litter, but it was obviously way stressful on her.
Since your kitty still has you he probably is a little upset with the change and this is the stand off-ish behavior. I would try a lot of talking to him and let him come to you when hes ready....things should smooth out for him............
As long as eating, litter, and sleep is usual, he will come around.

Is there by chance a cat hanging out by the new place that you cat has recently discovered? A change to aggressive behavior can be caused when a cat encounters a new cat in their domain.

I moved my cats 2 months ago and everything was very good for the first 6 weeks then I started having some slight behavior problems from them. Perhaps this is part of the adjustment period for him?

If this continues, get him to a vet to make sure that he is not ill. Another reason why cats become aggressive is that they are ill. If the cat was stressed by the move, he could have contracted a stress related illness - some cats get urinary tract infections or other odd things.