Cat sitting a nervous cat - a dilemma

[Meowmee]

Today it went quote better. As @silent meowlook advised, I paid him little attention. He was apparently happy to finally have some company. For a good measure I threw him some catnip treats anyway. He did hiss once, when I was cleaning his litter and by back was turned to him. He smelled me very little.

I am under the impression he's a bit of a tsundere, so to say. He wants you around, he loves some company, he's bored, but because he's bored he also gets a bit overstimulated. But when you leave, he follows you.
I also think he's a bit territorial.
He hissed while I was handling his litterbox, apparently he did not like it much.

That’s great it went better this time

Is someone coming to see him every day or is he being left totally on his own for more than a day? that’s the impression I got from what you said, and that could add to his stress. He may be feeling stressed out because number one his mom is not there, number two people he knows but maybe isn’t super close to are coming but not on a regular basis.

I’m guessing it’s his personality like you said and partly the stress of being left on his own and what he sees as possible invaders coming into his territory.

 

[chigusa]

One of us goes every day.
I don't know how long the other guy remains with him.

I feel sorry for him but at the same time I am not comfortable enough to spend that much time with him.

I hope tomorrow he'll be quiet too.

 

[Meowmee]

One of us goes every day.
I don't know how long the other guy remains with him.

I feel sorry for him but at the same time I am not comfortable enough to spend that much time with him.

I hope tomorrow he'll be quiet too.

Maybe try leaving the tv on the animal channel if your friend is ok with that. I think it’s hard on a single cat to be left even if someone’s coming in every day, it’s better if they have cat companions to keep them company. I totally understand not wanting to get scratched again.

 

[chigusa]

I'll ask, thank you!

Minor update: apparently the kitty is not so docile with the other guy too.

He hissed at him once, tried to scratch him and even bite him (not too strong, more like a nervous burst).
With him too he asks for attention and company.
He's perhaps a bit more gentle with the guy. Not as much as I thought.

So maybe this is not that much about my cats' smell. He's just lonely, nervous and a bit territorial.

I'll suggest my friend some more stimulation (toys etc) and Feliway next time. For now we'll deal with what we have at out disposal.