4 Year Old Persian Scared All The Time

Corimart

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So my Persian cat Jynx is 4 years old. Got him when he was a teeny tiny 8 weeks old. Got him from a breeder that had dogs and cats and kids in the house. As a kitten he let me hold him. As time went by he became more shy. When people come over he hides completely. He comes close to me only but no one else. I can pick him up for a few seconds only. He is suspicious of me when I walk towards him like he thinks I'm gonna take him outside. Only time he goes outside is when I take him for his haircut every 5 months or so. He is so terrified of me taking him out of the house. My other cat is so affectionate and cuddles with me and trusts me completely. Is there any hope of jynx ever not being afraid all the time?
 

neely

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Welcome to TCS! :wave3: I'm glad you joined the site and came here for support.
Out of curiosity, who was in your home first, your Persian, Jinx, or the other cat? Has he been to the vet lately, i.e. could it be a health related problem? Or have there been any recent changes in your household that he might find stressful? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to understand the situation.

I thought this Article about how to get a cat to come out of hiding might have some helpful advice for you: How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding?
 

recurringecho

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Welcome to the forums! What is Jynx's dynamic with your other cat? Do you remember specifically when he started becoming shy? Was it sudden? Did anything change around that time?
 
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Corimart

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Welcome to TCS! :wave3: I'm glad you joined the site and came here for support.
Out of curiosity, who was in your home first, your Persian, Jinx, or the other cat? Has he been to the vet lately, i.e. could it be a health related problem? Or have there been any recent changes in your household that he might find stressful? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to understand the situation.

I thought this Article about how to get a cat to come out of hiding might have some helpful advice for you: How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding?
I had another Persian before jynx came to me. They got along fine and were together about 2 years but then broke up with my boyfriend and he took the other cat. Shorty after I got another persian and they get along amazing. Cuddle and clean each other. The only thing I can think of is I moved one time and trying to get him in the kennel when I moved was almost impossible. He was literally trying to climb up the wall in my empty bedroom because there was no where to hide. Also the haircuts . He goes every 5 months. He is fine getting the haircut but its getting him outside my house that hes terrified of. I have not taken him to vet lately. He seems healthy.
 
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Corimart

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Welcome to the forums! What is Jynx's dynamic with your other cat? Do you remember specifically when he started becoming shy? Was it sudden? Did anything change around that time?
Him and my other cat love each other. I think it was gradual. As a kitten he was easy to pick up and cuddle.
 

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Hi C Corimart ...I'm also wondering if Jinx acts the same way when you take him to the vet?

I remember reading a thread, here, where they had brought their cat to a groomer, and the groomer accidentally shaved or nicked some skin.
Could anything like this have happened to Jinx?
Could the groomer people have accidentally scared him?
(I don't know how grooming works...as in are you there for the entire procedure...or just drop the cat off...or do they go to the back and do the fur cutting..so you cannot actually see the procedure.)
 
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Corimart

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Hi C Corimart ...I'm also wondering if Jinx acts the same way when you take him to the vet?

I remember reading a thread, here, where they had brought their cat to a groomer, and the groomer accidentally shaved or nicked some skin.
Could anything like this have happened to Jinx?
Could the groomer people have accidentally scared him?
(I don't know how grooming works...as in are you there for the entire procedure...or just drop the cat off...or do they go to the back and do the fur cutting..so you cannot actually see the procedure.)
I actually sit beside my groomer and help hold him and calm him. But hes not afraid at groomers. He is just afraid when I have to pick him up to get him out the door of the house. I at first was able to pick him up with a towel to get him out the door. Once hes o
 
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Corimart

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Once hes out the door he wont move hes so scared lol
 

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Poor guy. It sounds like he hates the cat carrier, and anything associated with it.

Honestly, I think you have to do what neely neely suggested, first, and take him in to the Vet...to rule out any medical problems...like Uti's, bladder, dental problems, bloodwork, etc.
Usually, for anything behavioural, you have to rule out medical first.
Your vet can also suggest giving him something, if the car ride is too stressful, for him.

Then when everything is all clear, medically...you work on trying to change his behaviour...gradually. Using your other cat, which he loves, as a buffer to pat him, or play with him, using treats to coax him to sit near you. Leaving out his cat carrier, so he gets used to seeing it...and not getting stressed...putting treats in it, ...maybe door off, toys inside.
 
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Corimart

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Poor guy. It sounds like he hates the cat carrier, and anything associated with it.

Honestly, I think you have to do what neely neely suggested, first, and take him in to the Vet...to rule out any medical problems...like Uti's, bladder, dental problems, bloodwork, etc.
Usually, for anything behavioural, you have to rule out medical first.
Your vet can also suggest giving him something, if the car ride is too stressful, for him.

Then when everything is all clear, medically...you work on trying to change his behaviour...gradually. Using your other cat, which he loves, as a buffer to pat him, or play with him, using treats to coax him to sit near you. Leaving out his cat carrier, so he gets used to seeing it...and not getting stressed...putting treats in it, ...maybe door off, toys inside.
 
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Corimart

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Thank you so much for the replies. I feel I've tried everything except going to the vet which I fear will be expensive for me but I guess if I want to help jynx be happier then I have to try that. Thanks everyone luv and hugs
 

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Yes, unfortunately vets are always expensive.
(off-topic...I never realized there were so many different haircuts for persian cats...amazing.)
Did a search on here, but then googled it, too.

Good luck, and post back, when you get any results. :hellocomputer:
 

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I was gonna say "vet" but I see that you guys already discussed that already.

Hm, I'm wondering if this started after you first brought him outside. I just want to make sure you are using a cat carrier to carry him outside, yes? From what you are saying, I'm a bit confused on whether you are just wrapping him in a towel and carrying him outside to the car directly.

Anyways, with how terrified he is, I think you're right that he associated you approaching him with you trying to get him outside. If that's the case, you can try approaching him differently than you would if you were going to scoop him up (which i'm assuming is from the top?). To help build up his confidence again, I would approach him normally until he looks slightly suspicious, back off a bit, sit down to get more on his level, and try to get him to approach you through treats or play. If even trying to play causes him to run away, Basically, you want him to see that you approaching him = treats and fun! Do this continuously, be patient, and let him set the limits. If he runs off or doesn't move, don't go after him. Pick up the treats and toys and try again later.

I agree with cat nap that it's good to desensitize your cat to the cat carrier. However, if even having a cat carrier out causes him to be wary whenever you are approaching him and you feel like you're not making progress, I would put the carrier away for now and focus on his relationship with you first. After you make some progress, you can put the carrier in the background and try to get him used the the carrier as cat nap suggested.
 

neely

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He is fine getting the haircut but its getting him outside my house that hes terrified of.
Here is an excellent Article with helpful tips for getting him into a carrier which would be the safest way to take him to the vet or groomers:
Beware The Dreaded Cat Carrier

When we first adopted our Persian cat I literally had to wear heavy gloves to get him into the carrier, it was a real battle. I always left the carrier out for him to investigate whether he went in it or not. Once I threw a catnip toy in the carrier he went in with no problem whatsoever. Good luck! :crossfingers:
 
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Corimart

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I was gonna say "vet" but I see that you guys already discussed that already.

Hm, I'm wondering if this started after you first brought him outside. I just want to make sure you are using a cat carrier to carry him outside, yes? From what you are saying, I'm a bit confused on whether you are just wrapping him in a towel and carrying him outside to the car directly.

Anyways, with how terrified he is, I think you're right that he associated you approaching him with you trying to get him outside. If that's the case, you can try approaching him differently than you would if you were going to scoop him up (which i'm assuming is from the top?). To help build up his confidence again, I would approach him normally until he looks slightly suspicious, back off a bit, sit down to get more on his level, and try to get him to approach you through treats or play. If even trying to play causes him to run away, Basically, you want him to see that you approaching him = treats and fun! Do this continuously, be patient, and let him set the limits. If he runs off or doesn't move, don't go after him. Pick up the treats and toys and try again later.

I agree with cat nap that it's good to desensitize your cat to the cat carrier. However, if even having a cat carrier out causes him to be wary whenever you are approaching him and you feel like you're not making progress, I would put the carrier away for now and focus on his relationship with you first. After you make some progress, you can put the carrier in the background and try to get him used the the carrier as cat nap suggested.
I cant get him in a cat carrier at all. On
 
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Corimart

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I only had him in a carrier one time. When he went to get fixed. They could not get him out without him hissing and clawing at them . They had to take the kennel apart to get him out. I take him in a towel out the door and into a laundry basket that I allready placed outside . Once hes there he wont move.
 
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