I think my cat may be afraid of the dark. She gets really wild and mean toward us when we turn off the lights for bedtime. We've had to shut her in the bathroom (with litter box, food, toys, soft bed) every night since we bought her over a year ago. She calms down in the bathroom but we leave the light above the sink on (the same amount of light a lamp would give). We are typically gone for 8-10 hours a day during the week, depending on the day. We've tried the radio being on during the day and having a lamp on a timer in the living room. Nothing seems to help so far. Could she have a fear of the dark (makes her think of us leaving her) with her wild behavior?
2007-02-20 15:58:46 · 10 answers · asked by mandirae23 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Here are some added details: we do play with her at night. We also try to play with her as soon as we walk in the door. Half of the time she'll try to bite us as we walk in the door. We also rotate her toys in use so that she doesn't get bored. She has a climbing toy too. We open the windows for her to look out while we're gone for the day. She play fights with my husband but not me. With me, she just attacks in a mean manner. Any time I walk around the house (no matter if it's dark) she bites or scratches my feet and legs.
2007-02-21 06:15:31 · update #1
that is soooo weird! Poor you... poor kitty... I think your kitty has real serious anxiety issues. There are products out in the market now that anddress anxiety-problems in felines , from liqid flower essences mixed in with their food to sprays to plug-in scents. Check your local pet store and see if one of these products can help kitty's anxiety attacks.
But a gold medal for you for being so patient with your kitty.
2007-02-20 16:14:31 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe shes just asking for attention. Cats will do this often when they feel neglected. In the wild, they will play for hours on an end with other cats. For domesticated cats, we the owners are the only family and they have an emotional need to play...who else will they play with? Also, how do you think a cat will play? She takes you to be her mommy/ peer/ whatever...and will play with you as with them...jump, catch...even sometimes bite or scratch, little realising that she is hurting you. To avoid this behaviour, spend an hour or so plyin with her...a ball or other toy will be good to keep her attention away from your body and prevent her from scratching or biting you.
2007-02-20 20:20:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. I've never heard of that before. I can't think of WHY she might be doing this but i can think of a few stuff that can help.
-try putting her in a dim lighted room and see what happens. If she's ok with it, leave her in there for a while. (the more scared your cat is of the dark, the lesser time you should let her be in there.) Slowly, over the days, leave her in there for longer periods of time while slowly dimming the lights even more.
-another thing that can help is by just simply acting normal when the lights are out, or dim. This will show her that being in a dark room is okay. Unless she 'screams' and runs to he door, pees or break stuff and attack you, I shouldn't think that pills are needed. Try not to comfort her to much as she'll think that there IS SOMETHING to be scared of.
-if the probelm gets bad, take her to the vet. They'll most likely give you pills or something but, personally, i hate to do anything like that to my cat. They'll get moody, keep to themselves and act as if they wanna faint any moment. I just cant bare to see my cats in that state.
Good Luck. :)
2007-02-20 17:05:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a vet, but I do recognize behavior problems. She has obviously bonded with your husband but not you. I don't know, but she might be jealous of the time you take away from her and her master. Try feeding her. Also, did you have her declawed not too long ago? I heard from the vet, declawing can cause behavior problems. Also cats can remember things.........who took her to get declawed, or fixed, or whatever? I seriously doubt she is scared of the dark, because her ancestors hunted at night.
2014-11-07 15:46:18 · answer #4 · answered by Danny Sharp 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that she does not like the dark. I have a cat that is afraid of the dark and she will not go near any room that has the lights off. She is especially terrified of dark shadows.
My advice is to have night lights in the house for her - my scaredy cat likes to stay in the kitchen at night, or in the computer room where we keep the monitor on.
2007-02-20 16:45:59 · answer #5 · answered by Susan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a rescue cat and am sure he is afraid of the dark.He sleeps with me but if he wants to go to eat or out he wakens me up to take him downstairs.
2014-11-18 02:40:16 · answer #6 · answered by Barbara 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you give her lots of attention when you get home? She could just be hollering for your attention - and has you convinced she's wild and mean - try a little tenderness!
2007-02-20 16:15:33 · answer #7 · answered by Old Lady 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
tape a flashlight on her head
2007-02-20 16:03:10 · answer #8 · answered by Dan D 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
ugh, i hate cats! my aunt stayed at my house for over a month once and brought her retarded cat. she slept in the sink in the basement and drank from the toilets. i don't think any cats in general are sane animals.
2007-02-20 16:04:56 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 6⤋
What a pussy.
2016-09-13 22:50:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋