I’ve always considered myself a “cat person” as we had cats when I was growing up and I’ve had two cats as an adult (now both passed). Last summer I adopted a kitten from a feral mother. I don’t know what her short life was like before going into the shelter, but she was very well cared for there.
She is now a little over a year old and I just love her so much! But some things still puzzle me and I was wondering if anyone has some insight.
She is only socialized with me, although I have taken her to my parent’s house numerous times to try to get her used to other people. She shows interest in their cat (who unfortunately ignores Phoebe), but only tolerates being held by someone other than me.
One thing that bothers me is that about 50% of the time I reach to pet her, she dips her back like she doesn’t want to be pet and sort of slinks away. She’ll sometimes run when I walk in the door as if she’s afraid. The other 50% of the time she is the most lovable affectionate cat one could wish for, giving me head butts when I ask for a kiss, exposing her tummy and absolutely loving the belly rub.
It bothered me that she wouldn’t sleep with me, but that has recently changed. She had a bad case fleas and after treating her, she started to come sleep with me every night (on my legs of course!). However, if I’m sitting down or even trying to nap during the day, she won’t; she often hangs out in other rooms, sometimes to the point it feels like she’s avoiding me (which is so different from my previous two kitties who followed me around everywhere).
I’m just getting such mixed signals here. Everything I read seems to be a contradiction…your cat is afraid or uncomfortable around you because it runs from you, or your cat loves and trusts you because it exposes its belly.
Are there any behaviors that I can change to lessen her “scaredy-cat” behaviors or make her more comfortable with me and others? Or do I just need to accept that I have a moody cat? And that would be fine with me, after knowing I’ve exhausted all other avenues to try and get her more socialized and trusting. She has never known a harsh word or touch from me, but like I said I don’t know what her life was like before the shelter. I can live with a moody cat, but I don’t want an unhappy or frightened cat especially if something can be done to change it.
Sorry for going on and on when I know people have serious problems with cats’ health and other issues. I just feel like a bad parent because I am constantly wondering if I’m doing something wrong. Any advice is very much appreciated!
She is now a little over a year old and I just love her so much! But some things still puzzle me and I was wondering if anyone has some insight.
She is only socialized with me, although I have taken her to my parent’s house numerous times to try to get her used to other people. She shows interest in their cat (who unfortunately ignores Phoebe), but only tolerates being held by someone other than me.
One thing that bothers me is that about 50% of the time I reach to pet her, she dips her back like she doesn’t want to be pet and sort of slinks away. She’ll sometimes run when I walk in the door as if she’s afraid. The other 50% of the time she is the most lovable affectionate cat one could wish for, giving me head butts when I ask for a kiss, exposing her tummy and absolutely loving the belly rub.
It bothered me that she wouldn’t sleep with me, but that has recently changed. She had a bad case fleas and after treating her, she started to come sleep with me every night (on my legs of course!). However, if I’m sitting down or even trying to nap during the day, she won’t; she often hangs out in other rooms, sometimes to the point it feels like she’s avoiding me (which is so different from my previous two kitties who followed me around everywhere).
I’m just getting such mixed signals here. Everything I read seems to be a contradiction…your cat is afraid or uncomfortable around you because it runs from you, or your cat loves and trusts you because it exposes its belly.
Are there any behaviors that I can change to lessen her “scaredy-cat” behaviors or make her more comfortable with me and others? Or do I just need to accept that I have a moody cat? And that would be fine with me, after knowing I’ve exhausted all other avenues to try and get her more socialized and trusting. She has never known a harsh word or touch from me, but like I said I don’t know what her life was like before the shelter. I can live with a moody cat, but I don’t want an unhappy or frightened cat especially if something can be done to change it.
Sorry for going on and on when I know people have serious problems with cats’ health and other issues. I just feel like a bad parent because I am constantly wondering if I’m doing something wrong. Any advice is very much appreciated!
