Why the personality of cats irritates me?

Question

Ok, I know most of you will be cat lovers, but let me explain.
The fact that cats have to get attention (or anything) or their own time is quite annoying. I'll get home from work and once I sit down, one of our cats will come over to me meowing and looking happy to see me. If I simply let her walk over and (sometimes) jump into my lap, I can pet her no problem. If I try to get up and walk over to pet her, she runs away. Likewise, if I pick her up, she meows in fear and tries to get away. Later in the evening, regardless if I gave attention earlier, she'll pretty much run away no matter what. this involves hiding under the bed and hissing and swatting if you try to lure her out. WTF? I think this is why I like dogs better. Less moody and everything doesn't have to be on their own schedule, etc.

Sounds like I offended some people here as that was not the intent. How about not replying if you don't have anything decent to contribute? Sound reasonable?

Thanks "The Delai". Is that how you get your post count so high? you've been reported. Thanks.

We have a dog and we've had our cats for 6 yrs and 3 yrs, roughly. The cats are more my wife's, but I'm just trying to figure out how to get along better with them.

I try to ask a simple question and some people get their panties in a bunch. Get over yourself!

To answer offlight -- Actually, our older cat was a rescued "feral" cat and has always been quite skittish. the younger one is the one I was more talking about, as it seems that some traits have rubbed off from the older one.

Answer 1

So don't get a cat and get a life.So what you don't like cats. Why would any one on the cat sight care?
My post count is where it is because I give good ,to the point advice.And obviously other people agree with me. Thank you.

You can report me if you like.For what?Got me.No cursing,rude or derogatory remarks were made by me. So do what you gotta do.

Answer 2

Cats are very independent cusses. They can be very loving, but they want to approach you, not have you approach them. I can finally approach my 5 year old cat sometimes, but not often. Sometimes when I want to pet her, I squat and drop my hand down so she knows I'd like her to come over for a petting. Sometimes she will.

I think my husband has an excellent point. He says "Cats lead a very scary life. Everything is a potential threat to their lives." That may be why they are so aloof. They are not moody... just extremely careful and nervous.

Dogs are much more interested in interacting directly with their humans, and you are more of a dog person. That's all there is to it. However, it's not productive to let the cat's attitude annoy you as that indicates you are taking it as a personal insult by the cat, which it is not.

There's really nothing wrong with the way cats act. Since you're obviously a dog person, I don't know why you have a cat, but since you do, please accept this is the cat's problem and the cat's personality and not something to be annoyed over. Just love the cat from a distance and let her give you love when she feels comfortable doing so. If you don't have a dog yet, you should get one.

p.s. My cats and dogs all love each other... I think the cat loves the dogs better than she loves me.

Answer 3

Well if you still love cats and still want one, try getting a calico or tabby, I hear they are the frendliest kind(also my sister has one and she begs for attention). Was the cat rescued? If she is a recued cat then maby her previous owner would hit her or do something else that scares her. Is she neutered(or spayed, can't remember which is for female)? I read that cats that are spayed/neutered tend to be friendlier. Also if the cats are young then I think it's normal for them to be skittish, I have an older cat who will let you step on her(on accident) and she wouldn't budge until then, while my sisters two cats jump and run at every tiny sound.

Try doing something every time your cat comes over to be petted, like how I make kissing sounds. When I want to pet my cat but don't want to get up, I hold my hand down and make the kissing sound. It works!

Update:
I just thought of something else that might help. Maby you can give them some tuna every now and then, when I give my cat tuna she always hangs around me for days afterward(she likes the tuna juice best).

Answer 4

Think of it this way. She's doing the same thing you would do.

If someone came into your house while you were taking a nap, or didn't feel well, and started to bug the crap out of you, you would probably do whatever you had to do to make them go away. You'd say, "leave me alone, man", or "go away", or maybe you'd relocate to another room away from your tormentor. For cats, this translates to hiding and hissing and swatting, because it's all they have the power to do.

Remember, just because they are smaller than you and live in your house, on your dime, does not mean they have to be available at your beck and call. They have personalities and opinions and moods too. You can live more harmoniously with animals (and people) if you learn to see through their eyes. Let her approach you. If you build trust by never harassing her (picking her up when she doesn't want it, hunting for her under the bed), and being very kind when she initiates, she'll remember that and the relationship will progress in a positive manner.

I have a kitten who was very stand-offish at first. She saw how cuddly my other one is, so she started cuddling too. She's gone from sleeping under the sofa or bed to sleeping on top of me. But still, she does NOT like to be picked up. If her 4 little feet aren't on the floor, she gets weird. So as much as I love to pick her up, I have learned to respect her wishes. So I kneel down to her level to play with her without picking her up, and she is so super-friendly now, I'm amazed.

Just like people, animals have their preferences, requirements, and boundaries. We just have to learn what they are and respect them.

Unless that animal is a dog. In which case, they are so ridiculously happy just to interact with us, that they don't care. You may be more of a dog person than a cat person; that's an important distinction to know. Maybe your cat would be happier with someone else, if she's making you that miserable.

I happen to like cats for their developed personalities. They're actually very human, just smaller and speak a different language. :)

Good luck overcoming your differences.

Answer 5

Every cat is completely different. They all have unique personalities. Some cats are quite aloof and independent. Other cats (especially certain pedigreed breeds) are the complete opposite. They are in-your-face friendly and affectionate. One thing is true of all cats...they have their own agendas and they use their humans as they see fit! They also make you work for their affections. You may have a more aloof kitty, but you can socialize your cat more and more everyday by giving her lots of love and affection. Learn to understand cat body language and don't bother with her when she's moody. If you reinforce the positive and ignore the negative (cats really do hate to be ignored), you'll find your kitty showing you much more of the positive more often. Good luck.

Answer 6

I have a cat that sounds just like this. Its just her personality & I've had to learn to live with it. If she even thinks I'm going to walk toward her, she'll run & hide. Its very irritating but she is very sweet when its "her idea" to come visit me. I know its very weird but that's just how some of them are. It could be due to some kind of trauma when she was younger (mine was when she was spayed). Otherwise I have no clue. Not all cats are that way. I have another one that's her polar opposite, so it just depends.

Ignore the naysayers. Why do people answer if they really don't have anything helpful to say? Very irritating!

Answer 7

Some cats just don't like to be picked up. If you still go after them, they'll run. After all, look at how much bigger you are. You can try luring them with treats and then just pet their heads. Say their name but don't try to pick them up. After while you should be able to go up to them, say their name and just pet their head. Don't pick them up yet. You could try holding them when they're on your lap and then get up. Talk to them in soothing tones and make sure you're not hurting them. They'll struggle, but pet them a little and then put them down. As far as having everything on their schedule goes, so what -- they're cats. If you don't like this you should find new homes for them and get a dog, which will need to be walked and will poop all over your yard or your neighbors and bark at everything. See what I mean? Life is a tradeoff and you have to pick and choose what you're going to put up with.

Answer 8

yeah, if they are not yours, they are very fussy about who they hang out with. also, 90% of cats do not like to be held. kittens enjoy it, but adults, no.

on your thing about them running away, do u have wood floors? often, if u have wood floors and allow shoes to be worn in the house, this will also scare cats away, doesnt matter if your owner or stranger. they will only approach u if they dont sense any fear from u. also the thing about the cat being ferrel doesnt help your situation. i love cats but if it is always afraid of everything, its not worth it.

unfortunately, there is nothing u can really do other than hang out with them on their time. now, if they ARE your cats, you should know what commands they will come to. if they dont come to their owner on command, or at least make emotion, that sucks. dogs can be the same way too, especially with strangers. if u havent realized it, most dogs fear men more than women. this can be because men tend to beat dogs and puppies more than women. i had a dog that growled at all men prolly cause he was beat as a small pup.

Answer 9

Cats have attitudes...it's as simple as that. They're smart and independent and make you work for their love. They are awesome and mysterious animals. Some people don't like cats because they are not (generally) overly affectionate. You just have to deal with the fact that cats demand that things be done on their own terms. You know what they say...."Dogs have masters, cats have staff".

Answer 10

Why does everying thing have to be on YOUR schedule? You special or something? Sounds like you lack the patience it takes to appreciate a cat.

Cats are sensitive, if you treat them right they'll be happy to give you attention. It sounds to me like you're tormenting the poor thing by trapping it under the bed and grabbing at it. Think about the size difference between you and your cat, how would you react if some 20 ft tall guy tried to pick you up with his volkswagon-sized hands and manhandle you?

P.S. Why are you hanging around the cat site if you don't like them?

Answer 11

He,he,he... cats are just like that! they'll let you know when they need affection, and don't worry about your question, eventhough I'm a cat lover I don't feel offended or much less, as a matter of fact, I think is great that you're trying to get along with them and that speaks highly of you. Just keep on trying to get along, and give them treats every once in a while, or play with them ( gallon,bottled water lids are great to play with cats because they love you to roll them around so that they can chase them) Also, talk to them ( like baby talk them) or just plain talk works too....they like that 'cause a lot of times they talk back....really!!! So, keep trying to bond with them, because once you do, they can be as much fun as dogs are.
Good luck!