Can someone who has good knowledge of Cat behavior help?

Question

Almost 6 years ago I rescued an outdoor cat...at 1st he was so wild I almost couldn't keep him because of his scratching my wife and I but eventually he melded into our family of 3 other cats...he then became my favorite, becoming a mushball/lapcat...then about 3 months ago he became "skittery" and hid from us, under the bed/tables/couch...he would eat and then disappear and there was no way to coax him out....we brought him to the vet who discovered a thyroid tumer....we then brought him to have that radiated and when he came home, everything was good again....until last week...the hiding and "skittery" behavior is back...now, these two things may NOT be related, I understand that...but I worry about him and miss him being out and about with all of us....has ANYONE seen this type of behavior before, or can you offer a suggestion...in advance, thanks!

Answer 1

My cat just came back about three weeks ago from having the radiation treatment for his thyroid. There has been no change in his relationship with my other cats or his own behavior - he is his normal "pissy" self.

So I wouldn't think it would be related to his radiation experience. With cats you don't ever really know a lot. For your cat being confined to a cage for the waiting period while the radiation level was going down might have made him afraid that he might be abandoned or something like that.

A simple and inexpensive thing to try on him might be the Bach flower essence "Wild Rose". Although it is indicated for "giving up on life; or when there is a lingering illness it is also positive for restoring "joy in life".

It would be about $18 for a bottle from a health food store. You shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on the cat's fur between his ears. Do it as many times a day as you can - in the morning, when he comes to eat, in the evening and before you retire for the night.

There are a lot of remedies that can be combined and the WR may not be the one that hits the mark for him right now. I think you might go to http://www.spiritessence.com and make a phone call to Dr. Jean Hovfe with a brief description of what behavior you want to help the cat with. Dr. Hovfe has various concoctions combing a lot of the essences in one bottle for the same price you can purchase ONE from the store. I think it would be worth "consulting" her as I am sure she can choose one that would be appropriate and help the kitty.

Answer 2

The cat is most likely feeling ill again. You need to take him back to the vet - preferably tomorrow.

A lot of cats will hide when they don't feel well - and a former feral (wild) cat will be especially likely to act this way. When a cat is ill, it's vulnerable, and it will hide to protect itself. It isn't personal towards you - it's just that when the cat was feral, it had to do this to survive.
A lot of ferals actually cannot be tamed enough to live inside happily, so I'm glad that this cat was able to adapt, and that you cared enough to help it. Outside ferals live only an average of about two years, because life is very tough, obviously.

For anyone else reading this, that's why it's critical that people spay/neuter their pets, because there are already an estimated 25 million feral cats living in the U.S. already. These were cats that are descendants of pets that were abandoned by their owners.

Answer 3

It could be anything. He could have another thyroid tumer, a disease, a fear of something happening. Sometimes pets hide when they hear loud noises, is there by any chance road work going on? Anything noisy??? Anything that might cause him to react this way could be a possibility. Go see the vet again, and if you can't get the cat out from hiding to take him there, call up and ask for advice. Hope I could help, good luck!

Answer 4

You are to be commended for rescuing a cat that few people would want as a pet.

Considering his medical history another Vet visit should be your first step. Any major change of behavior in an animal should be evaluated by a Vet for a possible medical cause.

I hope kitty is okay and everything works out.

Answer 5

Based on your experience, I'd say that the skittery behavior is your cat's way of showing he isn't feeling good. Since this has been going on more than a couple days, I think you should take him back to the vet for a checkup.

Good luck!

Answer 6

It does sound like he's regularly used the kitten completely, in the event that they stayed collectively and there is been not extra incidents. some cats have a terrible existence previous to being became over to the shelters--he grow to be probably attacked by utilizing a cat and assumes all others will do the equivalent to him. yet kittens are yet another tale, they're non-aggressive and the grownup cats in many cases recognize this. If he's adapted to the kitten this far, he would be comfortable with the kitten from this on forward. however any vet journeys might make the kitten scent 'diverse' and you will might desire to observe the interplay while the kitten comes returned to the homestead. Rubbing the kitten down with a towel that smells like homestead, as quickly as you get returned, in many cases will do it. yet be careful.

Answer 7

His thyroid may be off again if the two things are related. Or it could be a behavior cycle of his. There could be a rift in the relationship with the other cats in the household. My cats go through stages where they either love each other or hate each other. They can also get competitive with their relationship with us.

Good luck and it's so great that you have taken him in and given him love!

Answer 8

I would defenitely take him to the vet for a checkup and to check for any more thyroid problems.