- Joined
- Mar 31, 2016
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- 238
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My cat, Guapo, is possibly the sweetest cat I have ever met. When I went to meet him at the shelter, I had to sign a bite waiver because he'll get overstimulated and bite people. He bit me, but I ended up getting him anyway. After getting home, we had some minor overstimulation and biting issues, but after a month or so he was totally fine. My boyfriend and I can pick him up and snuggle him and play with him without any overstimulation at all.
Whenever guests come over, we give them a warning that they just need to keep their hands to themselves until he calms down. Normally he'll calm down and as long as they're mindful when petting him, he's ok. But he's been getting worse and worse with guests lately. If people even move, he starts getting very upset. He even got up on his hind legs and grabbed the guest's leg when they moved (but did not take out his claws). He was so distraught that when my friend reached for her tea, he swatted at her.
We went on vacation for a few days, and he swatted at our cat sitter for emptying the litter and glared at him the whole time was there. He COULD be associating guests with us leaving on vacation, but I'm not sure if that's it.
It seems that clearly he's distressed by people being there, but he's still interested in them. He can't go hide because he has to know what's going on, but it would be better for everyone if he went and slept in a bedroom.
Right now, my plan is have people over more frequently, have each person give him a treat, and have them sit on a couch where he can get up and look at them easily. (Obviously only if they're willing.)
Do you folks have any other suggestions on how to deal with this?
Whenever guests come over, we give them a warning that they just need to keep their hands to themselves until he calms down. Normally he'll calm down and as long as they're mindful when petting him, he's ok. But he's been getting worse and worse with guests lately. If people even move, he starts getting very upset. He even got up on his hind legs and grabbed the guest's leg when they moved (but did not take out his claws). He was so distraught that when my friend reached for her tea, he swatted at her.
We went on vacation for a few days, and he swatted at our cat sitter for emptying the litter and glared at him the whole time was there. He COULD be associating guests with us leaving on vacation, but I'm not sure if that's it.
It seems that clearly he's distressed by people being there, but he's still interested in them. He can't go hide because he has to know what's going on, but it would be better for everyone if he went and slept in a bedroom.
Right now, my plan is have people over more frequently, have each person give him a treat, and have them sit on a couch where he can get up and look at them easily. (Obviously only if they're willing.)
Do you folks have any other suggestions on how to deal with this?