We found her nine years ago when her mom abandoned her. She didn't even have her eyes open yet. We'd never had a cat before so we kept feeding her milk, thinking that's what we were SUPPOSED to do. We finally took her to the vet because she kept crying. He told us that the milk wasn't filling her up and gave us some special formula to use, but we had essentially starved her for a few days by that time and she was obviously weaned too early.
She has turned out to be the most ornery cat I've ever seen. I've been around other cats. They like to be pet, they're social. . .kind of cold, but not THAT bad. My cat is cranky all the time. She only likes her head scratched, and that's only sometimes.She runs away every time company visits. She hisses and growls all the time. She acts like she's been ABUSED, for goodness sake, and we've always treated her very well. Why does she act like this? Could the stuff when she was young have traumatized her badly?
2006-08-10 14:38:57 · 25 answers · asked by Casey 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Every cat has their own personality, just like people. I have a black cat, he does not want to be held, rarely wants to be touched at all, and hides when company is over. He growls and hisses when he doesn't like something/someone around him. He's not playful - he's barely over 1 year old.
On the other hand, if this is somewhat recent behavior for your cat - within the past year or two.... it could be her getting older..... or another underlying issue like an illness.
You may want to check out petsmart.com or 1800petmeds.com - they have this product similar to a plug-in air freshener that emits a 'calming' odor, which is supposed to help with a range of issues from separation anxiety to overstressed kitty.
2006-08-10 14:52:51 · answer #1 · answered by Krickett 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your kitty could have some emotional trauma she's holding onto but if you have taken her to your Veterinarian to make sure she doesn't have any physical reasons for her behavior, then most likely she's just an ornery cat! If you haven't had her spayed yet, that may calm her down some also as well as improve her health in general. Like people, cats have different personalities and also like people, just because they can be a bit disagreeable they still need to be cared for and loved. Take heart though because with age this behavior normally mellows so please be patient with your little devil. If you keep working with her and petting her, she may find out it's really not such a bad thing after all. If she's an indoor cat, try pulling a string for her to play with or wadding up a piece of paper or foil for her to bat around so she can play and get exercise. As for her not being social with your company, some cats are simply scardy cats and may never get over it. I have had a few of those in my life. Both of mine had no reason to act that way, they just were. But, if she hiss and growls, that may be a good thing anyway. Just don't force her to do anything against her will. You may also want to keep this kitty as a single pet and not around children until she becomes a bit more social. Work with your cat and be patient but most importantly if you haven't taken her to see a vet. yet, please do so right away. Strange behavior can mean so many things or it can mean nothing so better safe than sorry. Good Luck!
2006-08-10 15:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by Chaddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you ever think that maybe the cat is feeding off your energy, and behaviors? Seriously though, I think you have cats confused with dogs! It sounds perfectly normal cat behavior for me. There are some cats that are affectionate all the time, but they seem to be few and far in between. If you want a constant affectionate, friendly, and excited pet, get a dog! Otherwise let you cat be as it be! All pets have their own personalities just like people! And you say that she is 9? she is getting to the end of her years, and sometimes pets change as they grow old.
2006-08-10 14:49:26 · answer #3 · answered by pitbull lover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat that was similiar to one you described. She was gotten shortly after she witnessed her mother and her brothers and sisters being killed by a dog. She was very traumatized and didn't get over being seperated from her mother and family. We had her fixed and that didn't help her personality one bit and all she did was hiss at people too.
The best thing you can do is talk to her kindly and scratch her head whenever she feels like being touched. Cats are independent creatures and don't always appreciate interacting with their human family units. Go with the flow and love her anyway is my best advice!
Good luck to you and may you and your cat have a special friendship between each other to last her lifetime.
2006-08-10 14:48:32 · answer #4 · answered by Lyndee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had many cats in my lifetime and some have been mean, some lazy, and some just plain wild. I guess what I am trying to say is cats have there own attitude just like people. As a matter of fact my cat is biting my feet right now. Dont worry just let him be himself.
2006-08-10 14:48:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats odd, my mom was given a kitten that was separated from the mom too early, and she had to bottle feed her! The thing is, she turned out to be a brat too! So, it must be tramatizing to them!! Makes sense!
One thing about cats is, everything has to be on their terms, and their terms only!!
I have 4 indoor cats, all of diff personality, I could pick one up, and they would jump down..... 2 minutes later, the same cat is jumping up on my lap & staying. Go figure!!
2006-08-10 14:49:56 · answer #6 · answered by Katz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my cat is the SAME way! Well, she is nice to me sometimes, but she hates the rest of my family. We call it devil cat. I have scratches all over my hands, but we are getting her declawed in a couple of weeks. (He he he... my revenge on the cat. It will get her back for all the mean things she did to me) But just let the cat be. That's just the way it's always gonna be and you'll have to deal with it.
2006-08-10 16:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by curlycue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a cat that we can tell stories about too. I really think our cat similarly just thinks too much. I think that this is one of those cases that make you consider if we really do come back to this earth after we die. (I hope that a cow is not the ultimate level of living though!)
2006-08-10 14:46:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom has a cat exactly like the one you described. The vet said that she is psychotic and should be put down. We couldn't believe that he said this.
You cat just has a unique personality, just like people do.
2006-08-10 14:43:47 · answer #9 · answered by April G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be traumatized, or she could be spoiled. Get a water bottle - the kind that sprays - if she does something "naughty" spray her with it, she won't like it, but it won't hurt her. It will help give her some discipline.
2006-08-10 14:44:04 · answer #10 · answered by wellbeing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋