Our cat hisses & growls constantly, for no reason?

Question

Hi,

My boyfriend and I have just bought a 3 year old female cat from a neighbour. She's always come running to us for strokes, so when they said they were moving abroad, they asked if we'd like to have her.

Anyway, we've had her for about a week now and it's been a nightmare! This gorgeous, friendly cat we thought we were getting has turned into a hissing, growling one!

She still comes to us and rubs against our legs, wanting a stroke, but at the same time, she's hissing like mad! Then she starts to growl and her ears go flat to her head - which is usually when I've run away! I'm actually really scared to go near her now. She also hisses and growls randomly, even when you're nowhere near her.


We thought maybe it was just our house she doesn't like, but she stills meows like crazy to get inside!

Is this more likely to be behavioral, or down to stress or something?

Answer 1

Can you contact your old neighbors and ask them if this is new behavior to them? It's sad- that's the stereotypical cat right there. Most cats aren't like that at all. It might just be the stress of a new home (is she indoors all the time?). Being that she's an adult, it would be harder to work that out of her if she's always been like that. If she's been an outdoor cat (and especially if they've neglected her shots), be careful because behavior like that can also mean she's got some sort of disease. =( It wouldn't be a bad idea to get some bloodwork done on her, that way it rules out the worst. At any rate- there's a chance she might still come around if you keep showing her a loving home. One of the worst things you can do with an animal is be afraid of it. Next time she hisses at you and goes after you, swallow your gut and grab her by the back of the neck (this disengages their claws and totally relaxes them, no matter how old they are). Show her that she's not the boss- and you're not afraid of her. This is all assuming that she's a healthy cat.

Good luck, I hope things turn around very soon!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/liHoN

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 4

Separation anxiety and moving all at once. She's stressed and is letting you know that she's upset. That doesn't mean that she won't get used to it.

Just a little hint, keep an eye out for her peeing in your house. She may do this out of frustration, and then by hanging out where she just peed all the time, she may get a UTI. Then you might get stuck with crate training. Look though your house for places where she might pee and you not notice it. Under a couch, behind a dresser, whatever. It's a big stress response.

Answer 5

Ignore her unless she comes to you specifically to be petted. The cat is confused about the change and stressed out about it. She'll gradually come to accept the new arrangement. Meanwhile, just keep on feeding her inside your home so she knows that this is now her "den." Give her a little time. In a month, she'll be OK I am sure.

Answer 6

The cat is no longer in "IT'S" home. It is in someone else's' home. It will take some time for it to accept your house as it's home. Pretty soon you'll be living in the cat's house/home. Things will be just fine.

New sights, new smells, new sounds, new furniture, new everything, even you are new to the cat. Imagine you living in someone else's' house instead of your own. You'd be uncomfortable too.

Just give the cat some time. It'll come around.

Kev

Answer 7

I have a two year old who hisses and growls when she feels like it..she also hands out the statutory slap to the other two!!! drives me nuts but have tried everything with no joy! resigned myself to the fact she is never going to change! She can be loving...especially at feed times. she even at night sneaks up and tries to suck my eyebrow( don't know where that one came from!)

Answer 8

Try taking the cat to the vet for a check up. My cat has gingivitus and this affects his behaviour. Quite likely the cat is simply missing its previous owners. Funny things, cats!

Answer 9

She is Stressed out, give her a little time ,don't change your behavior towards her. She has lost the family she loves, it will take time for her to adjust.She has to learn her 2nd home is now her 1st home.She will realize that you love her and stop feeling threatened.Give her time.Don't crowd her out or show her your anxiety because it will affect her.Be calm and let her come to you when she is ready.

Answer 10

well..ive been a cat owner for as long as i lived (25years) so i pretty much know wats goin on the moment i read your first 6 words..

The answer is simple..she's in the stage of "getting-to-know" you guys.. she knows u before as a neighbour and cats actually know if you are not their original owner..now since your the owner..she sort of got a little confused..

Dont worry, as long as you dont shuu her away.. and try to tackle her day-to-day.. slowly she will let herself go and be that spoilt kitty you've been wanting..

have fun..