What The Heck Is Going On With My Cat?

Flapjack's Mom

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Not sure how to start off this post so I'll just jump right in.
With Flapjack gone now, I have 2 other cats, girls, to focus on. One of them is named Natasha who was adopted out to me at 5 months old who is now 9 months old (and pretty big) and I'm bringing her back into my room since she's my cat and she can ease my grieving heart and mind.

But she's always had this issue with being lovey-dovey one minute and then on a flip of a dime she becomes agitated. Snarling, slashing, yowling and growling. Reacting to every little thing with hostility. Nothing could be around her and she's still flipping out.
She's social enough because she interacts with other cats in the house, her big sister, Olivia, the most. Idk what could be the issue, I love her dearly. And i respect her, there's no stress factors that I know of and idk if it's because I didn't hand rear her from a kitten or what. Supposedly she was found in an abandoned warehouse prior to coming to the shelter.

I don't wanna medicate my cat unless I absolutely have to, and when the funds are available I plan on trying Feliway. Has anyone else experienced this wIth their cat? And what could it be?
 

Furballsmom

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Hi!
Your description of this dramatic a reaction makes me wonder if she's having pain, or there is something mentally happening.

I personally wouldn't try feliway here, because if it doesn't work (and there are cats for whom it has no positive effect) it can actually have the opposite impact.

I would like to suggest a vet visit to eliminate physical issues.

There is this, be sure and select "cats only" rather than "cat friendly" ;
AAFP | American Association of Feline Practitioners

And just in case these may be of help;

(apologies for any dead links you may encounter);
Financial Assistance – Day By Day Caregiver Support Inc.

Financial Aid for Pets

No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life
 

Mamanyt1953

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My two first guesses, and they are only guesses, are hyperesthesia and PTSD. I'm more inclined to the PTSD, at this point. RE the hyperesthesia...does her back start to ripple, and does she ever "attack" herself? If not, then we'll put this on the back burner.

It really sounds more like PTSD to me, and cats (and dogs) certainly fall prey to that. If she was found in an abandoned warehouse, then you know almost NOTHING of her background. She may have been abused by kids exploring, or firghtened badly, or any number of things of this nature. There will be something, or several somethings that trigger the attacks, but they may be very subtle, and will take a LOT of careful observation to pinpoint. Try keeping a log of every attack, noting every little detail you can recall...what you were doing, what she was doing, any sounds inside or outside the house...you might be able to spot a pattern here.

Since you don't want to medicate at this point (although it may become necessary for her own happiness and well-being) try chamomile tea. It is gently calming without sedating. Buy a box of the tea bags in the coffee/tea aisle of your grocery store. Read the label. You do not want a blend, but just plain chamomile. Using commercial tea bags assures that you are using German chamomile, NOT English, which is toxic to cats. Brew a cup, chill it in the fridge, and administer 1-3 teaspoonfuls up to 3 times a day, via syringe or medicine dropper. If Natasha weights more than 11 pounds, you can go up to 3 Tablespoonfuls, 3 times a day. Hopefully, that will be enough to give her some relief without resorting to Prozac.

Now, if it comes down to it, I know a LOT of cats who are doing very well, indeed, on Prozac, and some of them have been able to be weaned off of it after a period of time, so don't despair if it does become necessary!
 

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Totally agree with previous posts, but I've got a quick way that made all the difference in our cat's life and ours. She wasn't even a year old and was reacting as you discribe. We'd pulled her from the nest at 5 weeks after a raccoon killed her mom and siblings. Her eyes were almost open. We don't know how much she saw, we think the racoon would grab and kitten and run, then one day chased the mom. But still pretty frightening. We went with the PTSD, which I think was part of it.

We noticed kit was worse right before it rained. Told the vet it sounded like arthritis even though she was really young, less than a year. Full body x-ray, can do it in one for a cat. Yep, arthritis on her spine, pretty bad. We put her on dasuquin, over the counter not expensive. She stretched out for the first time, hadn't realized she hadn't done that before. The attacks stopped. It's worth a try.
 

RainBoots

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Our old man had similar issues. He used to be best friends with you one minute and lash out the next. We were against medicating him for a variety of reasons, but once we ruled out underlying medical problems, it seemed cruel to leave him in a constant state of anxiety.

If you do decide to go with Prozac, it can be used to ease a cat out of bad habits and a repeating cycle of nerves. Our old man is going to stay on them for good. It has been one of the best things we have done for him.
 

1 bruce 1

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When you say she's lovey dovey then becomes agitated, do you notice any kind of pattern (even ones you might think are far-fetched) to what triggers it?
Queen Bee hates being pet on the head and shoulders. About a year ago they found out that her muscles and spine are "jammed up", around her neck and a pet to the head isn't comfortable for her so she avoids it.
Do you ever feel even the smallest amount of static when you're petting her? Sometimes we can actually shock them if the conditions are right in the air and that can really set some cats off (it would set me off, too :lol:)
Cats can get over stimulated by being pet and will be rubbing all over you one minute and biting/clawing you the next. Every animal is different, but the ones we have usually turn up the intensity if they're cheek rubbing you or "rearing up" to get a stroke down the spine, then they start chomping away like you're made out of ham.
 
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Flapjack's Mom

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Thanks everybody for the replies :)
She doesn't seem to get agitated when I pet her, no certain trigger spots. I have noticed that when Olivia is in the bedroom with me and her, she gets pissed. Like "Hey, what are you doing in MY room? :fuming:" which I don't understand because she knows Olivia, they play together and groom each other sometimes. Maybe it's because the bedroom is smaller and the girls are normally in the living room and kitchen which is obviously more space.

And I'm pretty cbd oil is legal in Texas, totally forgot about that existing and being an option :freak:
 

1 bruce 1

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Thanks everybody for the replies :)
She doesn't seem to get agitated when I pet her, no certain trigger spots. I have noticed that when Olivia is in the bedroom with me and her, she gets pissed. Like "Hey, what are you doing in MY room? :fuming:" which I don't understand because she knows Olivia, they play together and groom each other sometimes. Maybe it's because the bedroom is smaller and the girls are normally in the living room and kitchen which is obviously more space.

And I'm pretty cbd oil is legal in Texas, totally forgot about that existing and being an option :freak:
I'd try the CBD oil and see how she does.
She might be guarding you, and redirecting that guarding feeling (tense) on you, not meaning to be aggressive with you but just reacting out of emotions. Say you watch a scary movie one night and you're on pins and needles over it, your spouse suddenly walks into the room and says "do you want pizza or tacos tonight" and you react by jumping, yelling, or throwing a pillow at them, you're not being "mean" to your spouse, you're just reacting based on how you're feeling.
Does she ever do this whenever the other cat isn't around?
 
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Flapjack's Mom

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I have noticed jealousy in Natasha :s when she's rubbing against my leg and Olivia wanders over, she'll swipe at her. No growling or yowling, just "Hey stay back, if you know what's good for ya!"

And CBD is crazy expensive o_O didn't think it'll be $70, I'll continue looking though
 

Furballsmom

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Eeesh, that is pricey, I didn't know.

What about music? I have no idea if it would help here, but there is MusicForCats . com, an app called Relax My Cat and even low volume classical harp music is known to help cats relax.
 

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In case anyone wants to test for static electricity that they can't feel - turn out the lights before petting kit. If it's there it will actually spark, we usually get green sparks. I think it's caused by a lack of
humidity which means it will turn up in air conditioned rooms as much as the heated ones in winter.
 
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Flapjack's Mom

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I think I figured out what the problem is. Natasha does not like seeing Olivia anywhere near the bedroom let alone inside the bedroom . I tested it out today by not letting Natasha see Olivia all day and she didn't get upset, all cuddles and playtime.

But why? My boyfriend says it's because she's protecting us by guarding the room :p
 
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