My cat is just over a year old - female and spayed. She is really aloof. I have never had a cat so uninterested before. She doesn't like to sit on anyone's lap, and if you stroke her more than a couple of times, she bites you, even though she was purring and seeming to enjoy it. She doesn't come when you call her over. She brushes up to your legs when she wants feeding, but that's about it.
Is there anything I can do to encourage her to be a bit more friendly, or is this it?
2006-06-14 12:26:24 · 7 answers · asked by helly 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats have built in personalities just like we do. Think about what you like to do, wouldn't you be friendlier to someone who does special things for you or likes the same activities as you than someone who doesn't?
On that note, probably the biting is either a sign of affection or that she wants to play. If you play with her more, you'll tire her out and she'll be more easy going, cats need stimuli. So on that note, when she tires, she'll be relaxed and more open to cuddling and petting. Feather toys on sticks to chase and yank up in the air to make cats jump really do tire them out.
My cat Jay was very unaffectionate and liked to bite. I consulted tons of behavior books. Dr. Alan Schwartz, a behavioral vet, put out a video on all sorts of behaviorisms. I watched the set of them. I play with Jay a good long hour a day to tire him out, then we sit and I pet him until he's sleepy and he's very open to it. For biting, you say NO and tap them on the nose to teach them it's not appropriate behavior. Also you have to establish you are the dominant creature or your cat will not behave well. Make her beg for food, that teaches them food comes from you and you are dominant. It has worked wonders with Jay. He sent me to the hospital months ago from a serious rambunctious bite but now after working long and hard on him, he's wonderful! I taught him to play fetch with the feather toy. I toss it, say fetch, and he brings to my feet and drops it. We both enjoy it, and because we spend time together doing something we both enjoy, he's more open to affection.
2006-06-14 12:44:20 · answer #1 · answered by Tina of Lymphland.com 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats can have highly variable personalities, of course, but one good rule of thumb is not to force affection when it clearly doesn't want any. Certainly pet your cat whenever she is purring, rubbing against your legs, etc.; if you continue trying to hold and pet your cat when she is displeased, scared, or trying to be alone, she will probably associate bad emotions with affection from you. Also, be patient. If the cat won't come when you want her to, ignore her like you would if she was exhibiting a bad attention-getting behavior, like biting your feet. She may find out that she'll have to come to you for affection. It works with our cat when she's being aloof; after not being pursued for awhile, she'll come around and demand some attention.
2006-06-14 19:39:37 · answer #2 · answered by breakfastramen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat who was the exact same...one minute nice and then super angry! What I noticed with my cat was that she did not like to be touched in certain places, so I avoid those spots...and I cheet by using peanut better or cheesewiz on my finger to keep her in my lap...just keep trying new tricks till U figure out what she loves best!
2006-06-14 19:35:16 · answer #3 · answered by rubetta23 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unfortuneatly, there really is no way unless they are a little kitten. Every habbit that a cat has or does is becasue of how they were taught as a kitten. One thing that may help though is to get your cat to be around new people a lot and snuggling him or scratching him or her in there favorite spot. Good luck and i hope i could help!
2006-06-14 23:43:59 · answer #4 · answered by summer luvver :D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep petting her when she comes to you. You can't force the affection.
When she brushes your legs, reach down and pet her before you feed her.
The key is patience; the more your cat is used to being touched, the more they will like being touched.
She might be a bit feral, and it takes a while for a feral cat to become used to being touched.
Just be patient, and touch her whenever she allows.
2006-06-14 19:32:40 · answer #5 · answered by magic621a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think so try speaking to your cat in a quiet voice and when she wants to bite say no no or AhAh it might take a few trys to stop her biting then try and pat her and lift her up talking quietly keeping patting her arount the cheek they like that most of the time.
2006-06-14 19:45:01 · answer #6 · answered by scottie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats have all kinds of personalities and if they are not personable its hard to get them to be friendly. Best thing I can say is give her space and let her come to you.
2006-06-14 19:30:56 · answer #7 · answered by brandijolove 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋