- Joined
- Feb 10, 2014
- Messages
- 16
- Purraise
- 10
ok, I am not one with an inferiority complex, but I think my new cat actually dislikes me. first of all, I grew up with a series of cats, I have been a cat parent before, but this one is a challenge. all the cats I've known were boys, very sweet, territorial love bugs.
she is a 2 year old female adopted from the SPCA about 7 months ago, surrendered by her previous family because of allergies, and had such a difficult time at the shelter they had to give her anti-depressants and appetite stimulants. she looked so forlorn I decided to give her a chance. the first week she hid under the TV cabinet, but slowly came out and became more comfortable at the house. she is very well behaved, does not pee anywhere except for her box, tried scratching the furniture but stopped when I told her "no" (it only took a few tries), excellent appetite and healthy.
this is the problem: she hates being touched, picked up, brushed, refuses to wear a collar (no big deal since she is mostly indoors), and since she doesn't eat treats she can't be bribed (I've tried every brand out there). if I enter the room, she runs (usually). I sneeze, she runs. I cough, she runs. if I have visitors, she hides in the upstairs closet and won't come out until they leave. I try and play with her a little each day, but her favorite is chewing on my arm. at first I thought it was funny, but she is vicious and draws blood, so now I play with a very long pole. if I try and sit with her, she leaves the room. she usually won't eat until I leave. I sleep upstairs, she sleeps as far away as possible (mostly downstairs).
I live alone, work from home mostly, but I am not a hermit so I do need to leave periodically. she will run if she hears the keys and will never greet me when I get back. it's a very sad existence because all I am is her personal assistant, clean the litterbox, feed, and vacuum the cat hair. it's probably not so much fun for her either. I am beginning to wonder whether my home is the right place for her. when she first arrived things were going ok for a new cat, but it seems to have gotten worse and she is withdrawing. not sure what to do, so any advice is appreciated. thanks!
she is a 2 year old female adopted from the SPCA about 7 months ago, surrendered by her previous family because of allergies, and had such a difficult time at the shelter they had to give her anti-depressants and appetite stimulants. she looked so forlorn I decided to give her a chance. the first week she hid under the TV cabinet, but slowly came out and became more comfortable at the house. she is very well behaved, does not pee anywhere except for her box, tried scratching the furniture but stopped when I told her "no" (it only took a few tries), excellent appetite and healthy.
this is the problem: she hates being touched, picked up, brushed, refuses to wear a collar (no big deal since she is mostly indoors), and since she doesn't eat treats she can't be bribed (I've tried every brand out there). if I enter the room, she runs (usually). I sneeze, she runs. I cough, she runs. if I have visitors, she hides in the upstairs closet and won't come out until they leave. I try and play with her a little each day, but her favorite is chewing on my arm. at first I thought it was funny, but she is vicious and draws blood, so now I play with a very long pole. if I try and sit with her, she leaves the room. she usually won't eat until I leave. I sleep upstairs, she sleeps as far away as possible (mostly downstairs).
I live alone, work from home mostly, but I am not a hermit so I do need to leave periodically. she will run if she hears the keys and will never greet me when I get back. it's a very sad existence because all I am is her personal assistant, clean the litterbox, feed, and vacuum the cat hair. it's probably not so much fun for her either. I am beginning to wonder whether my home is the right place for her. when she first arrived things were going ok for a new cat, but it seems to have gotten worse and she is withdrawing. not sure what to do, so any advice is appreciated. thanks!