Am I Worrying Over Nothing Or Is This A Problem?

Claire07x

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Hi,

So I'm not entirely sure how to put this.. but I'll try so if you can stick with it, much appreciated :)

First up, my cat is eating and drinking and using the litterbox fine (although there is a little less poop than usual but she's eating less than before since I changed her diet to higher meat content, so she needs less of the good meaty foods than the Whiskas she used to have - she's not hungry).

She has, however, started to become a lot more temperamental.. bipolar even.. She'll be perfectly happy one minute then the next be growling and hissing (she has never hissed before) at random, inanimate objects - the front door is the most common. There's no bugs inside, nothing new in the house, she's got plenty of toyys etc so not bored. She gets especially growly/hissy if you try to lift her which she always was a bit unhappy about, but never aggressive. Now she'll bite and bite hard at certain people.

For example, she was laid on my dad being pet, purring away then bites his arm and doesn't let go WHILE PURRING!!! and when we prize her off him, she looks confused and licks the area she's bitten. She's done this a good few times, unaggravated and not always being pet (as i know that can get to them), literally just as people walk by sometimes - she's gone for ankles/arms/foreheads/noses all of a sudden and she was never like that initially. I've only had her 2 months though..

She's very against people touching her tummy at times, whereas others she'll lie and wait for you to rub her tummy and loves it, purring and even nudging if you stop. Then all of a sudden, she bites and apologetically licks..

She's also started yeowling at the ceiling sometimes in different places. She grooms all the time to the point where she has little areas where her hair is thinning and has pulled out 1 tiny pea-size area of hair on her chin (she scratches it a lot which I think did it). She has no fleas or bugs on her although she used to have before I got her, she was riddled! So i'm not sure if that's an OCD/behavioural thing?

She also, for the first time, started attacking the mirror in my room - now she's been used to it for 2 months always in my room, seeing herself etc. She's never bothered with it, other than looking at it sometimes. She's even slept in front of it. Two days ago, she started pawing at it and then batting it. No hissing/growling though.

I have feliway in the home to help with the grooming as I suspect it's an OCD thing as there's nothing stressful I can think of, other than me leaving for work? It's made no difference though.

I guess I'm starting to get worried and I don't think it's normal, at least for her, as she's normally super affectionate and while she's still playful there's this aggression that almost takes over and even she doesn't seem to know why.. anyone got any suggestions??
 

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It's time for a vet check-up. Any sudden behavioral change could be a sign of a (developing) health problem. How old is she? Has she been spayed?
 
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Claire07x

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It's time for a vet check-up. Any sudden behavioral change could be a sign of a (developing) health problem. How old is she? Has she been spayed?
She was at the vets a few weeks ago (suspected pregnancy, turned out to be false) and they ran bloods etc, perfectly normal.. Would it be pointless to take her back or is it something worth doing? I don't want to go overkill and stress her out if it's not important (I know I'm worried but like, if it's not something actually worth worrying about if that makes sense?? I'm still a new cat mum) - she hates the vet.

She's been spayed and she's 2/3 years old (rescue centre weren't sure exactly)
 

neely

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When she was at the vet did they do any blood work? You mentioned only having her two months and she may be expressing herself in ways she did not do before. Here is a helpful Article that discusses some of the things your cat may object to: Your Cat Probably Hates It When You...

In the case of her having an underlying health problem you may want to consider these signs: 35 Signs That Your Cat May Be In Pain

Perhaps you can call the vet and talk to them since she was there only a few weeks ago. Best of luck, please keep us updated.
 
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Claire07x

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I've booked in with the vet for tonight - they didn't like the overgrooming and the behaviour changes together so they want her in asap - the vet said as he dealt with her before, he'd be very concerned if she was being aggressive.

I've not done anything different aside a food change but she eats it and shows no signs of allergies that I know of.

The vet said it sounds cognitive so wants to see her asap.

As a rule, I rarely lift her. The few times I have it's been for positive reinforcement and she's given treats and petted etc as the shelter recommended doing this. She does it when she's left alone or when she's at another side of the room, starts hissing at nothing. If it was my fault stressing her, I'd totally understand. It's the not knowing that's the worst bit! :(

It's weird because she'll hiss or growl at something or get aggressive then jump up on me (or on my bed next to me at night) and lie down, purring the next minute.
 
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Claire07x

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Oh and yeh she had bloodwork and came back all healthy.

The articles were helpful and worrying - it sounds like a good few of her symptoms (including ones I haven't mentioned) are listed on the one about them being in pain.. So that's a possibility I suppose.. Hopefully not though!! :(

I'll keep you posted but any suggestions as to what might be causing it would be welcome from anyone so I can mentally prepare.. :)
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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Claire07x Claire07x - there was also a recent article
Do Cats Like To Be Petted?

At the vet, I personally would have the vet really feel and move/manipulate all of her limbs, paws, abdomen, etc., to make sure of no possible big or small injuries in the leg muscles or limbs, or any other thing even health-wise. How old is she?
 
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Claire07x

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Thanks - I'm not big on fussing over her (only from afar in the form of videoing her doing cute things and awwwww-ing!) so I don't pet her unless she comes looking for it, which she does a lot. She'll jump onto my legs and lie there, headbumping my hand until I pet her, she'll walk around me and rub herself on my legs purring for a headscratch etc but generally, if she doesn't come to me, I don't pet her - i figure it must be annoying, unless she's wanting some TLC! I'd put it down to petting if it wasn't so random and even when nobody's near her - I'll often be upstairs and hear her yelling downstairs or vice versa. Same noises. It's odd..

She's 2 or 3 years old approx, the rescue shelter didn't know for sure but that's their estimate.
 
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Claire07x

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What's weird is that this is the cat who had an ultrasound and bloods done without anesthetic - even the vets were shocked at how calm she was (after her initial "this isn't my home" panicking)!!

So it's odd to see her aggressive and agitated now.
 

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This mut have been scary! Hopefully she’ll have some relieve. If she grooms please try do distract her by playing with her.
 
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Claire07x

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I'm an absolute dafty!! Forgot to mention the one main suspect I had..
Bloomin' wasps!! I mentioned to the vet I noticed wasps coming and going (a good few of them) in my roof, next to the roof window at my stairs. They're pretty loud and, high ceilings means the sound carries unfortunately! Im arranging for someone to get rid of the nest but I asked the vet if that could cause her stress and this behaviour - answer was possibly. That, or the spay the shelter did went wrong and she's in heat.

So if the behaviour continues after the wasps, she's had a bad spay at the shelter and will be booked back in asap. They didn't want to try spay her until they ruled out wasp stress, just in case the first operation was fine.. though I doubt it, as she's already had a false pregnancy since she came home (no male cat interaction, unless it happened in the shelter!).

She's currently getting calming tablets which the vet described as kitty Xanax, since feliway made no difference - she said it's likely because she's happy but stressed so still rubbing on everything etc. Not over the moon about it but if it helps.....

I'll let you know what happens post-wasp removal!
 
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Claire07x

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Oh and Im so unsure about her actually being spayed for a few reasons:
They said initially she may be pregnant on her notes and never confirmed/disproved this.
They say she was a breeder cat when they took her in, but when they tried to spay her found no uterus but no incision wound, so decided she was spayed (no logic!!!)
They also noted her having periodontal disease. I had my vet check her and she's got great teeth, especially since I use her toothpaste daily. No disease. No gingivitis. Not even any tartar.
She had a false pregnancy when I had her home with no male interaction at mine and apparently at the shelter.. leading me to believe at least a piece of uterus or ovary is still in there..
She's acting like she's in heat according to the vet, again same thoughts as the point above on that one!

I think the shelter has either got her notes mixed up or, as my dad's convinced, covered everything (health-wise) as a maybe rather than actually checking her out.

I'm not just saying the shelter is rubbish, I'm just saying I doubt them and here's why
 

KSV

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Oh and Im so unsure about her actually being spayed for a few reasons:
They said initially she may be pregnant on her notes and never confirmed/disproved this.
They say she was a breeder cat when they took her in, but when they tried to spay her found no uterus but no incision wound, so decided she was spayed (no logic!!!)
They also noted her having periodontal disease. I had my vet check her and she's got great teeth, especially since I use her toothpaste daily. No disease. No gingivitis. Not even any tartar.
She had a false pregnancy when I had her home with no male interaction at mine and apparently at the shelter.. leading me to believe at least a piece of uterus or ovary is still in there..
She's acting like she's in heat according to the vet, again same thoughts as the point above on that one!

I think the shelter has either got her notes mixed up or, as my dad's convinced, covered everything (health-wise) as a maybe rather than actually checking her out.

I'm not just saying the shelter is rubbish, I'm just saying I doubt them and here's why
Daft and rubbish! you must be from the UK.
 

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The over grooming is a behavior/anxiety issue usually and added with the growling and hissing it could be displaced aggression. An outside cat coming around your home and agitating her and causing her behavior to change, making her nervous. You said she goes to the door and does things. Cats have such a keen sense of smell they can smell another cat on the next block. She's got no where else to put her aggression, so she puts it on you.
As far as the tummy rub goes, I call that the "trap." They lay there and let you pet their belly and then grab on and bite and claw at you. That's typical. It's the only way they have of telling you "OK, that's enough. Stop it!"

But all of this is certainly worth another trip to the vet to have x-rays of the tummy area in particular if she is reacting when you pick her up, and also eating less, less poop. I would try another food. Sometimes what they eat is the key to all things.
 
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Claire07x

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I doubt it's another cat as I'm round the back and up outside stairs (weird flat layout, possibly a UK thing??), so they'd have to have intention of coming up, it's not really a wanderers route.. There are dogs in the back garden though, so perhaps that's what it is. I often get jumped by them or stop to pet them and she's not keen when she can smell them on me tbh..

The vet said that she seems in good shape though. No pains or anything, she just might be one of those cats that hates being lifted in her opinion, which is fine by me. She's thinking it's mainly that she's in heat and the notes from the shelter are nonsense but said try see how she is after the wasps are gone before seeing if she actually does need to be spayed through her midline (as we really don't know if she is or not, the vets keen not to open her up unless she's in heat and we;'ll know she's not been spayed).

I had noticed though that she's very aggressive towards and wary of smokers. She was abused before and when I got her was covered in cigarette burns. Unfortunately one of my best friends smokes and she's a regular visitor. kali's warmed to her slightly but does still seem wary. When she smokes at mine, it's outside by the front door (actually outside it), so I'm thinking, when she leaves, Kali perhaps can smell it outside which might spook her? idk.. all i know is I got a mighty glare for asking folk not to smoke outside my door before.. not sure what's worse, people or cats wanting to bite you!!
 
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Claire07x

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Yep, you forgot to mention “brilliant!”. Show us pictures of your cats!
Oh dear, I messed up!! Surely non-UK folk say things are rubbish/daft/brilliant though, nah?

I'll share some photos when I'm home (currently browsing on a long day at work.. oops!)
 

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I doubt it's another cat as I'm round the back and up outside stairs (weird flat layout, possibly a UK thing??), so they'd have to have intention of coming up, it's not really a wanderers route.. There are dogs in the back garden though, so perhaps that's what it is. ...

I had noticed though that she's very aggressive towards and wary of smokers. She was abused before and when I got her was covered in cigarette burns. Unfortunately one of my best friends smokes and she's a regular visitor. kali's warmed to her slightly but does still seem wary. When she smokes at mine, it's outside by the front door (actually outside it), so I'm thinking, when she leaves, Kali perhaps can smell it outside which might spook her? idk.. all i know is I got a mighty glare for asking folk not to smoke outside my door before.. not sure what's worse, people or cats wanting to bite you!!
Poor kit, I'm glad she is with a good cat owner now! :hugs:



Perhaps it is the smoking thing that's bothering her...
 

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I think you left out a key piece of the story here in that she had been abused before. That explains a lot. And the cigarette smells might have her scared and on guard. How terrible!
I would suspect that since she was abused she has a lot of issues.
By the way, I have a female who cannot stand being picked up. She growls and kicks up a storm. She's always been like that. Can't stand it.
 
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