does my cat have a mental disorder?

Question

i've had arbie for 7 years i got him as a very small kitten we found him behind a dumpster. everytime i go to pet him he meows and walks aways then comes back to me and when i try to pet him he walks away, it always seems very playful but he has always seemed a little different to me, can cats have mental disorders? do you know what kinds they could have or names? any information will be good

but he is affectionate, he meows and purrs and will run up to me rub on my legs and then i bend down to pet him and he walks off then walks back to me rubs on me....i cant explain it

Answer 1

I think all cats are a little "crazy" but I love them to pieces and the adorable things they do.

Answer 2

Cats have different personality's (just like people). Some cats are more affectionate than others. It sounds to me like this cat is very independant and not very affectionate. Often cats are affectionate on their terms; meaning that if they are in the mood to be petted they will rub up against you and let you know, and if not, then they will simply move out of reach. It doesn't mean that the cat has a mental disorder and this actually common behavior in the cat world.

Answer 3

I think it is just his personality and all cats are different. I have lived with cats my whole life. I currently have 3. Everyone is fixed. One female (3/4's) tortie point Himalayan who loves to talk, she is very intelligent and she even fetches for us, she is affectionate with those she knows. Then I have one male orange stripped cat. He loves EVERYONE whether you want it or not, but he can be sassy with you if he is not in the mood to be pet. Then we have the primadona, a purebreed flame (orange) point Himalayan with huge blue eyes. She floats around the house with her huge orange tail swishing in the air and you can hear the wind whistling between her ears. If she were a human she would definitely be a natural blond. We call her S.F. for Super Fluffy. S.F. likes to play the "come and sniff your hand and then run away" game. She also plays the "slowly take the wide path through the living room so you can't reach her as you call her" game. She likes to give you every opportunity to admire her and long for her. The more you want her the less likely she is to come to you. Now on the other hand if you are trying to get an extra 5 minutes of sleep in the morning, using the toilet, or eating she is right there in your face. She will even get on my pillow or on the back of the couch and bury herself in my hair and bite me on the head if I don't pet her. Cats also rub on us to mark us as their property. He might just be rubbing you for this reason sometimes and you might be misinterpretting it as he wants affection. If you think it is an anxiety rather than vanity (personality) thing like S.F., my only suggestion is to call or talk to him and don't put your hand out. Eventually, curiosity will win him over and he will come to see what you want. When he comes keep your hands down. Let him get on you or the couch or what ever he does and let him love/rub on you for awhile. Keep talking but don't reach for him or pet him at all. Do this for a week or so and see if it helps. When you do eventually reach for him do it slowly, casually and with your hand low not above him. Maybe let him sniff it first. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I have a cat that is exactly like this, she prefers to be talked to more so than being petted. As she gets older she is getting better. She is the type of cat you can't pick up, she might come and sit on your lap but only if she knows you well. She's quite a peculiar one my girl. I woldn't call it a mental disorder, but just a simple odd personality. For examply, both of my cats like to be spanked. They will lay on the floor beside each other and let me spank thier hind quarters, then they'll flip over and let me do the other side. This could go on for hours if I kept it up. Also, my female cat, loves and i mean LOVES her tail being pulled. It's weird, but she does.

Answer 5

i seriously think that they can have mental disorders. i know this isn't a mental disorder, but when my cat was a kitten he was dropped on his head(by accident) and i think now, he is a little mentally handicapped, he has this retard look in his eye every once in a while, and he does a little crazy. sorry i don't have any names, but it might just be his personality too, cats have very unique personalities

Answer 6

If he has always been like this it could be just the way he is (temperment), or if he had some sort of head injury before you found him, then it could be like that. If it is something recent, it could be something mental or physical that is happening. In this case I would take him to the vet to be checked over.

Answer 7

Cat have very different temperaments and can act quite moody. They are very independant and some just are not that friendly rather than it being a disorder I think this is just his temperament.

Answer 8

I would take it like this. This cat is just telling me "I'am gonna walk away from you everytime you pet me" or "I don't like you petting me" Now ask why...... he's insecure of human hands. or what else maybe.

Answer 9

This is not a mental disorder - this is called being a cat.

Answer 10

I think all cats have mental disorders...but I love them anyways.