Sam doesn't want me near him anymore

[mrs. s]

I just joined this site. I was in a state of panic because my Sheba was so afraid and kept running awat from me. She would walk around with her tail between her legs and then hide. I missed two days from work because I was so upset. We took her to the vet and when all her tests came back normal the vet explained we may never know what was on her mind. She seems to be coming around now but I am still very concerned. the vet gave us something called Pheromone. ask you Vet about it and be patient. Good Luck!!!!
Mrs. S. and Sheba

 

[mrs. s]

Questions???? Has anyone ever hear of PHEROMONE? My 13 year old Sheba has been spooked by something. She was hiding and would not eat. I came to this site and asked for advice and help. Everyone that responded to me was great. After a trip to the Vet and an all clear sign she told me to try this aerosol spray. Has anyone tried it and if so what do you think?
P.S. I can never thank all of you enough for coming to my rescue and giving me support.
Cat lovers are very special people.
Mrs. S and Sheba

 

[marge]

I can't figure them out, they are like human men. Last night
my kitty was all snuggly, didn't even seem interested in going outside. LIke all the problems were solved...then this morning was back to a little catitude again...

*sigh*

 

[squirtle]

One of the things I have read on this site that I have learned to be 100% true is that we are owned by our cats.

We are their slaves, we feed them, look after them and when THEY feel we deserve it they reward us by giving us their attention. I was thinking about this and it's so different with cats and dogs. Have you ever seen a puppy begging for attention from their owner all the time and sometimes the owner os worn out and kind of ignores the puppy after awhile? It's just like that with cats only backwards.

We are the ones begging for their attention

 

[cman]

I'm glad I finally came across this post. I've been reading a bunch of posts here since last night because my Casey (a 8 mo old female tort) has been acting different to me lately.

Over the last month or two (I've had her for 3), she has been changing. She used to sleep right next to my chest at night and lay in my lap when I watched TV. Then she started sleeping further down on the bed by my knees and while she would still sometimes lay in my lap while I watched TV, any movement and she would jump down to the floor. Now, she won't get in my lap and doesn't sleep on the bed. She still comes to me whenever I call her (which is a first for any cat that I have ever had) and lets me pet her. Oh, and of course, she is ALWAYS (and I do mean always) in the mood to play, to the point that she'll drag her favority toy to the side of my bed so we can play when I get up.

I guess from reading all the previous posts, this is all normal cat behavior. I really hope she snaps out of it because I've had/been around cats that aren't lap cats and don't like to be handled much and that's not what I really wanted.

We'll see. She's a sweetie and I do love her and I'm glad she's (somewhat) normal.

~C

 

[tnr1]

Hey CMan....Welcome to the site. Your older kitten Casey is probably starting to develop into her personality. I have a tortie too..and she is quite a playful girl but is definately a cat that wants the relationship to be on her terms (she isn't a lapcat). I also have an orange and white boy tabby who is definately a lapcat. I wouldn't expect her to snap out of it..I would just watch for how she develops...if she is your only cat and she doesn't quite have the personality you expected...perhaps you can adopt a "friend" for her that is more of a lapcat.

Good Luck

Katie

 

[cman]

Originally Posted by TNR1

Hey CMan....Welcome to the site. Your older kitten Casey is probably starting to develop into her personality. I have a tortie too..and she is quite a playful girl but is definately a cat that wants the relationship to be on her terms (she isn't a lapcat). I also have an orange and white boy tabby who is definately a lapcat. I wouldn't expect her to snap out of it..I would just watch for how she develops...if she is your only cat and she doesn't quite have the personality you expected...perhaps you can adopt a "friend" for her that is more of a lapcat.

Good Luck

Katie

Thanks Katie!

It seems like those torties are like that. My mother has one that is similar and has almost the same identical personallity. It's the most loving cat, but it doesn't like to be handled and it isn't a lapcat.

About getting Casey a playmate, I kinda tried that and it was too much for Casey and for me (actually, too much for me I'm sure). My girlfriend brought up a 10 wk old gray and white male last Friday from a litter that she was bringing over to her grandmother's farm. I returned the kitten 2 days later because Casey was absolutely ticked off about it (including pooping on the rug and rubbing it in) and my having to deal with Casey and a 10 wk old kitten was just too much for me (I live alone except when my girlfriend come to visit).

Maybe in the future, I'll get another cat, or maybe a dog (boy I would love to have a dog), but we'll see. But, the meantime, I'm making a more concerted effort to spend more time with Casey to try to help her not be so lonely.

~C

 

[tnr1]

CMan...one thing that I soooo appreciate about my tortie is that when she wants to be pet...she is soo affectionate. I have adjusted to the fact that she doesn't want to be picked up..but she is simply a GREAT cat none the less.

Also...introducing cats should be a slow process...you should never just drop a new cat into the house and expect the 2 to get along...it takes time for each of them to adjust to each other. I know that Hissy has a great post on introducing cats...but here is one from Paws Chicago that is pretty good if you ever want to try to get Casey a friend (even a dog) at some later date:

Tips For Introducing A New Cat To Your Cat(s)

Keep Them Separated
When you bring your new cat home, have a special place set up
for them. A guest room or the bathroom is ideal. Put food, water and litter box in the room along with toys and a scratching post. Keep your new cat in this room, away from your other cat(s) for about a week. It is tempting to let them interact right away, but you will have much better luck if you wait.




Introduce The Smell First
To a cat, a sniff is worth a thousand words. To get your existing cat use to the smell of your new cat, rub a towel or washcloth gently over the new cat. Let your cat(s) smell the towel, but don't be surprise if your cats start to hiss. Hissing and growling are normal reactions so don't scold them when they hiss or growl. Do the same with our existing cat so the new cat can smell them too. Also, you can leave the carrier you brought the new cat home outside with the existing cat.



Encourage Interaction Through The Door
Place your new cat's food near the door of the room so he/she will stay near the door. Your cat will smell and hear the new cat through the door. Give your cat treats and/or catnip near the door of the new cat's room so that he associates it with good things.



Let Them Roam Alone

Lock up your cat in the bedroom, and let the new cat roam around the house. This lets them explore and exercise, and it also helps them find good hiding places for later. Then put your new cat back in its room and let your old cat walk around and smell them without having to see the new cat. This is another good way to get them use to each other's scent.



Open The Door A Crack

After a few days, carefully open the door a crack so the cats can see each other but can't stick their heads out. Be prepared for some hissing and growling, but if one tries to smack the other, close the door. Do often--a few times a day.



Let Them Out
Bringing a new cat into the house is not unlike introducing a baby to an older sibling. Jealousy and pouting are normal reactions. Even though you are excited about the new member of your family, do not forget the cat that has been your faithful companion until now. Do not yell, scold or punish them for hissing at the newcomer. They may not react like they way you want them to right away, but your cats will come around.



When the time comes to let the new cat out (do not rush--wait a week) and be sure to monitor closely, open the door to see what happens. Most likely your existing cat will hiss and growl, maybe even wail, confirming their worst fears. Unless open fighting breaks out, let them hiss as cats need to establish hierarchy and territorial rights. Even though the growling is upsetting and sounds bad, it's okay.


Reassure your cat verbally and pet him if you can (he may not let you because he's upset so don't take it personally). When is nice or at least non-threatening to the new cat, praise your cat lavishly and give give them treats.




Do Not Expect True Love

We all wish our cats would become best buddies and curl up together, lick each other, etc., but unfortunately this does not always happen. However, your cat and the new will at least form a truce. They may not want to hang out together, but they will eventually respect each other's space and stop hissing. Don't worry if your cats never become best friends because they will still keep each other company and they will both love you.



Living Happily Ever After
Spend time with your cats--brushing, petting and playing with them. Cats may seem aloof and independent, but they need attention from humans. Cats are curious and easily bored. Be sure to provide some sort of new entertainment for your cat everyday. You will be surprised how much fun an empty paper bag can create.



Katie

 

[cman]

Thanks again Katie.

I had done some reading on various websites and found much the same information. It was kinda hard though to follow some of that information because of how my apartment is set up. The only room I could isolate the kitten in was the same room that Casey uses 50% of the day time in and 90% of the night time in.

So, I decided it was too much for me (at least right now) and got the kitten back home before it was too used to living with me. Casey was ticked off to high heavens and I was not getting any sleep between Casey meowing and clawing the door and the kitten pouncing on me all night. I will say though, it broke my heart to bring the little one back.

~C