My cat flinches when ever my son attempts to pet her,why?

Question

My son is 15,never been mean so not sure why cat is behaving this way

Answer 1

What you don't see might be a cause. Kids show affection in front of family but, in times of stress, will often act out on a family pet. Flinching is retreating, you retreat when you feel threatened. I think there is more to this than you might want to hear. My son was an animal "lover" but he could be nasty if he didn't get his own way.

Having rescue animals myself of all shapes and sizes and posting for rescues, most wont allow adoptions by people with children or teens. There is a reason for it.

Hopefully your son has tripped or done something to scare the cat that isn't his fault but if the cat was okay with him before and is now backing away, there has been something to have caused this reaction.

God Bless

Answer 2

Cat Flinching

Answer 3

Is your son showing your cat an open hand as he approaches her? To her, it might look like he's going to hit.

Instead, try with a very loosely curled hand- not quite a fist- to stroke her chin and cheek. Then up around her ears when she realizes he's safe.

I do have a question: Was your kitty a rescue from an abusive household? If so, it might be that the abuser was a male.

In which case, your cat will get over it eventually.

Good luck!

Answer 4

first of all where did you get this cat? It could be that when she was raised she had unpleasant experiences with teens. Watch how he approaches her does he raise his hand when he pets her? Does he carry a scent of a dog or other cats? Sometimes cats are afraid when some one towers over them does it make a difference when he is lower to the ground? Laying down shows a sign of weakness if he appears lower t the ground the cat may not be as afraid.

I hope this helps!

Answer 5

I used to be a 15 year old boy. We behave differently when mom's around.
My friends and I never harmed our cat, just annoyed it.
We played catch with it.
Put clothes on it.
Squirted water pistols at it.
Threw twigs at it while it was trying to take a dump.

He was a good sport though. My favorite of my childhood pets. The only time he ever got hurt was whenever he fought other cats.
My mom made us leave it when we moved. I've never had another pet since.

Answer 6

If this is a recent change in her reaction to him, then most likely he did something, even by accident, that scared her.

Many cats are often intimidated by males. Usually it's because they are generally larger than women and their voices are louder. Humans look like giants to cats, so your son could try sitting on the floor and talking to her softly to see if she will approach. Tempting her with her favourite foods might encourage her to get closer to him.

Depending on what it was that made her wary of him, will depend on how long it takes for her to trust him again.

Answer 7

Was your cat a stray? If yes, then it could be because someone had, at some point, harmed her. She might be very cautious around those that are of the same age or gender of those who had.

If not, then I don't know what could be the cause.

Answer 8

the cat doesn't do it to anyone else i had a cat that was scared of males hated them i think when it was a kitten it mite of been hurt by one

Answer 9

Either he did something (accident or not) to harm the cat, or it just doesn't like males. My dog just plain old doesn't like males (she runs from them), but she loves females (runs to them, tail wagging, follows them).