How to help my cat become less anti-social?

Question

My cat is 7 years old. She used to come around all the time when we had our first dog, a Shih Tzu, but stopped after we had to put the dog down. We now have 2 golden retrievers and my cat will not come down stairs on her own.

We've brought her down ourselves to get used to the dogs, put her collar and lead on but she doesn't want to stay. We've recently moved (not because of her) and thought that might help, everyone coming into the new house together at the same time but no. She doesn't show signs of fear of the dogs, she's just not interested in being around them but she's right at our feet when we go up stairs.

I feel so bad her being upstairs alone but I don't know what else I can do to make her come around and see us.

Answer 1

Food is a great motivator for any animal. Feed your cat her favorite treats around the dogs. If you can put the dogs in a down/stay when you do this. This will put your cat at the top of the pecking order to be fed in front of the dogs, exactly where she probably thinks she should be. Also if possible at feeding time feed your cat first, then the dogs. In the animal world it is all about who is fed first. And when your cat feels she has some power over your much larger than her dogs she will feel more comfortable.

Answer 2

When did your Shih Tzu die? I think your cat is grieving over the loss - and grief for pets (like people) takes different time for different individuals.

Also, look at it from her point of view. She had a friend who was probably her size and now she shares quarters with 2 critters who are the equivalent of elephant-sized thundering around the house. How would you feel? I think it's great she's not scared!! Is there anywhere in the living quarters where she can perch above the dogs (a shelf, top of bookcase, high table, etc.?) Then she can watch what's going on but not feel so vulnerble.

Besides losing her friend, and now she's in a different living environment too (that's a lot of changes for her to deal with). Does she like/not mind being carried or held? If so, carry her down and hold her on your lap in the living room. Talk to the dogs in front of her about how wonderful she is, "(dog-name), isn't (cat name) the most beautiful good girl in the world?" If she shows signs of impatience, take her back to the stairs, and thank her for visiting and ask her to come down again. Or if she's within hearing on the stairs, ask the dogs "where is so-and-so?" "Could you ask so-and-so to come down and visit?" It's hard for cats to resist eaves-dropping when it's about them (gee, kinda like people).

Just ideas, think of how you would treat small child who was feeling unsure or insecure, or who was shy around strangers or had recently moved into a new neighborhood/school and had to meet new friends..

Be thrilled that she's not scared. This is a good sign.

Answer 3

Well you went form one Shih Tzu to Two golden retrievers. I'm surprised she comes near you at all anymore. You didn't mention how long you've had the two new dogs, but I would imagine that after 8- 13 months, she'll be used to them.

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Answer 4

Bring your cat downstairs and don't let it go upstairs for a while unless the dogs go for the cat and give it lots of attention so she feels comfortable she will eventually get used to being downstairs then.

Answer 5

Weird.
Well I just got 2 hamsters and at first my cat was really into them but now she doesn't pay attention to them unless they're making a lot of noise....My cat is lazy though and only bothers with me if she wants food or wants to be brushed.

Answer 6

Play with it more? Give it things to like kill like little cuddly toys!

Answer 7

Zoloft, crunched up and in the cat food.