since we picked him up .... do you think anything "fishy" was going on? That is the only part of his body he seems concerned with licking. He does not appear to be in pain.
The cat is also unusually quiet and unresponsive compared to before we took him there for the week while on vacation... I'd hate to think they did something, but what other explanation is there?
This is a really awkward question/situation - is it worth asking my in-laws? My husband noticed too.... If he doesn't want to ask, should I? I mean, you should see the way this cat is going to town on himself!
2007-03-20 09:26:05 · 10 answers · asked by Reserved 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Maybe it's a "monkey see-monkey do" situation.
2007-03-20 10:18:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'll bet you a new car that it wasn't anything "fishy" your in-laws did. Cats are prone to stress when their environment changes. Different cats react to it in different ways. Extra licking can be one way, in fact it is very common, and where they lick is up to the cat. It doesn't mean anything happened to the cat short of the fact he was suddenly removed from his home and put in an immensely stressful situation. Now his certainty about his existence is in question. From his point of view, who knows when something that life-changing will happen again? Give him some time. If he does not stop, take him to the vet. There may be another perfectly logical and medical reason for his actions.
That said, it really brings to question your trust of the in-laws that you would automatically assume it was them. That is a potential problem you might want to explore and analyze. Have they done anything to make you distrust them or think they would do something weird? If not, I'd be insulted that you'd even think it if I heard this if I were them. I do NOT suggest asking them about it unless you really have a reason to think they did something. If it is just the cat, then you are really going to look like an idiot. It could really hurt your relationship with them.
Good luck!
2007-03-20 09:39:18 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Does the cat go outside to do his business or does he use a litter box?
If he goes outside, he might have gotten fleas, or perhaps they use a lawn treatment service, which got on the cat's fur and is irritating him.
If he uses a litter box, perhaps it was not the same brand of litter - or it was in a room that had something that irritated him. Sounds like just an irritation, or a scent he is trying to rid himself of.
Cats get stressed really easy. He probably thought you weren't coming back.
I would NOT ask them if they tried to fool around with your cat!
However, you could say he is acting like something is on his fur that he is trying to rid himself of, and ask if they noticed him being anywhere he shouldn't have.
2007-03-20 10:24:01 · answer #3 · answered by Chris S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is the only area he is licking, I would get him to the vet and have him checked for a possible urinary tract infection or blockage. I don't know if stress can cause UTI, but with the constant licking there it sounds like that may be his problem. The timing may just be coincidence. Regardless, get him checked quickly, if he is blocked it can be life threatening.
2007-03-20 10:38:25 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is having anxiety from the upset in his regular routine. It manifests in some cats as excessive grooming, and they will concentrate on the lower abdomin and hind quarters. Some cats do it to the point of making themselves bald. Another reason why he might be grooming excessively is if he's picked up fleas from your inlaws. They would lick in the same areas mentioned above.
2007-03-20 09:31:31 · answer #5 · answered by sleepingliv 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well I have 4 cats(my parents or cat lovers)and I'v never seen this. I think they may just be allergic to something. Call your vet and ask them about it! Good Luck!
2007-03-20 09:33:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you think your in-laws violated your kitty? Or do you think the kitty picked up some bad habits from watching them?
Why don't you just ask them if anything odd happened with the cat.
2007-03-20 09:29:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like kitty discovered penis and it feels good. I would take him to a vet and make sure he didn't get an infection from something there. Cause indoor cats can only handle there enviroments and when you change it they get stressed and do weird things and weird infections
2007-03-20 09:35:45 · answer #8 · answered by littledueceb 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe he has a rash or irritation.
He could have been allergic to something in their environment.
I would ask them about it.
If they have no clue...call your vet.
2007-03-20 09:29:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd just take him to the vet for a quick check-up. It wouldn't hurt, and kitty will thank you. :~)
2007-03-20 09:34:31 · answer #10 · answered by SensiblySmart 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋