My cat is very friendly with me and my family living with me but when ANYONE that he isn't completely famliar with he just goes and hides anywhere he can. i dont understand why he's like this can i do something to make him friendlier? Is there something i can do while people are over so he can get used to it? He's the cutest cat in the world but he is always hiding! WHY? i need help!
2007-01-20 14:51:12 · 23 answers · asked by dreamerrrr 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi there...consider having people drop treats on the floor around your cat when they come over to visit you. Cats soon learn that strangers are fun and interesting because they always have delicious treats to offer and soon learn to not be so fearful of new people. Each cat does come out of their shells in their own time, however they need incentives to know strangers are safe and food treats generally are the best way to help them overcome their timid nature. Have patience...they can come around if you try this technique--some within months other in a few years as they get older.
2007-01-20 14:59:50 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some cats are just like that, he may grow out of it as he gets older. I've had my cat since she was a day old (rescued her mother and her litter). She has always been an "introvert" and when she was younger, she would not let anyone touch her but me. As she's aged, she has mellowed out and now she will let some people pet her, though she will not allow most people to hold her. It's the way she is, and there is no way to "fix" it. I'd just let your cat hide if it makes him comfortable, in time he should come around.
2007-01-20 22:59:15 · answer #2 · answered by Carson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some cats are not very open to change, some cats are very outgoing. I have had my girl Sierra since she was 4 weeks old, she has been through 2 othropedic surgeries and been run over by a car. She does not like strangers and will not let anyone but me, my husband, or my father in law (who lives with us on and off) touch her. My male Ford on the other hand, he loves everyone, and I walk him on a leash with the dog (who is embarrassed to be seen with a cat) outside. He travels well, likes to meet new animals and plays with kids. They are very individual and just like people, some are friendly some are homebodies some are timid. Don't push your cat, you might make your cat more nervous and fearful of strangers, cats are independent and don't need the attention of everyone sometimes. Sometimes they need a good book, a soft chair and their owner. that's it!
2007-01-20 23:04:40 · answer #3 · answered by Wildbane 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have several cats that always split when someone comes to the door (and they know someone is there before I do).
I honestly don't think there is anything you can do to change that.
During the Middle Ages in Europe cats were associated with women who were considered to be witches. The cats were persecuted and slaughtered to the extent of serious reducing the cat population. Humans eventually suffered from this as the cats had kept the rat population in check and when the Black Plaque came from the Middle East it cut the human population down to about 1/3 its former size.
So I think it is in the cat's genes to be wary of strangers and cautious in most of their dealings with the world. The cats who were overly-friendly and not cautious were the ones who did not live to produce the present population of cats. Those that were shy and hid out from strangers were less likely to be slaughtered.
2007-01-20 23:04:12 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We have a white persian that we have had since he was born.For a long time he only liked my husband,but know he does let me pet him.When he was a kitten he always stayed away from everyone but my husband.But now that he is grown at least once or twice a day he wants petting from both of us.Don't force any contact upon him.He will eventually come out when htere are a small group of people around,but he may never come out to a large group.
2007-01-26 20:46:39 · answer #5 · answered by jen_rena_skywalkerfan1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats/animals can be very selective with their associations to humans-they can sense if someone hates cats but pretends to like them-many animals are that way and even if people like your cat and are friendly to it, just ignore it and be glad you have a selective cat in case some stranger tried to grab it and take off1 That happens,maybe more to dogs, for experments and they are stolen and sold for that purpose. Sorry to end this on a dreary negative note.
Afterall, we humans are not partial to everyone,are we?
2007-01-25 21:51:59 · answer #6 · answered by marlynembrindle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a number of cats who would hide, like under the bed, and only come out to see the chosen few people they trusted.
Maybe this will help:
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/fearful-cat.pdf
2007-01-20 23:11:27 · answer #7 · answered by Susan M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have that same issue. My cat is actually only friendly to me. I have 2 boys and she runs from them. But she will only come to me. As time went on, she eventually got out more to roam around when my boys were around...I guess it is just in some of their nature to do this....Give it time..
Oh, I tend to give my cat some catnip when the boys are around, sprinkle a little on the rug or carpet.
Hope this helps
2007-01-20 23:02:24 · answer #8 · answered by Trese 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats must be socialized to humans from the time they are little or they will not bond to people and will be afraid often of people. Unless they are hand fed and doted on they may always be afraid of stangers. I have several cats One I hand fed from 3 weeks old and he is not afraid of anyone ever...well minus the kids who grab and chase...the other one is somewhat skittish around people he does not know.
2007-01-21 00:23:37 · answer #9 · answered by Tera F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to be honest, some cats are naturally like that. my aunt who lives in florida had a cat, but she died recently from old age. my aunt always said she was the nicest cat and laughed when my mom said she didnt like her. for the past 15 years of my like she has always hissed at me and my siblings and she hid from us nad was really nast if we were in the same room with her. i always remebered that her tail thumped too and she growled and tried to bite us a lot. my aunt is infertile and adopted a son when he was a couple months old and he is now 4 and she was always so mean to him too and she scratched him and bit him all the time to the point he wouldnt approach his own cat anymore. i guess she was like a one person cat. many cats never grow out of it. i gess it depends on the breed. hope this helped!
2007-01-20 23:36:11 · answer #10 · answered by Kelly L 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋