Kitten always hissing

[NovusAnimus]

The above scenario still leaves a person with money they will have to pay out-of-pocket also. If something goes really wrong $10K can be eaten up really fast! A friend of mine recently had one of her cats suddenly get extremely ill and here it is 2 weeks later and the doctors still have no clear diagnosis. He was in critical care for 5 days, in an oxygen tank, hooked up to IV, with fluids and medications flowing through him 24/7. The final bill was close to $20K....

I can afford to cover several $2k-$3k surprise surgeries without issue, the dilemma is if someone threw a $20k bill my way.

 

[sivyaleah]

I can afford to cover several $2k-$3k surprise surgeries without issue, the dilemma is if someone threw a $20k bill my way.

Right??? People forget that our own doctors cost a fortune but we're (mostly) lucky to have insurance cover the cost of these things. It's truly frightening to contemplate.

 

[Hellenww]

Plus she hisses over silly things like me scooting her out of the kitchen. She doesn't run, doesn't show any fear body language, just doesn't like it, so she hisses.

Your girl is full of Catitude. Now that she's less tense and using her hiss as a primary way to communicate, try meowing to her when she hisses. Have you placed a piece of dirty laundry under the bed for her to learn to cuddle with you? During the day place her on your bed so she can investigate it when it's empty and maybe chose to sleep with you when she accepts the top of the bed as hers.

 

[NovusAnimus]

Your girl is full of Catitude. Now that she's less tense and using her hiss as a primary way to communicate, try meowing to her when she hisses. Have you placed a piece of dirty laundry under the bed for her to learn to cuddle with you? During the day place her on your bed so she can investigate it when it's empty and maybe chose to sleep with you when she accepts the top of the bed as hers.

I've left clothes near her sleeping spots but she ignores them. I can try slipping some under the couch, her new favorite sleeping spot, see what happens.

She climbs onto my bed every so often, to play and chase invisible mice. I'm in my room working at my computer during this time, only a few feet away. But I can't 'place' her anywhere because she refuses to be touched. I could force the issue, since her hisses are mostly hot air and harmless, but I'd prefer if she got over her fear of being touched in a more gentle fashion.

 

[lucicat]

The OP obviously is working really hard to make this work, with a really difficult kitten!

So not to make him feel badly, but to point out RE the conversation about affording another kitten. . .if people would just adopt 2 kittens from a shelter instead of buying a breeder kitten then they would have money left over for an emergency fund plus the kittens would be happier!!! Just my 2c. . .I am avidly in favor of kittens having feline companions and adopting. I have been following our local shelters (3) plus a number of foster families for the past 4 months and it's astonishing how many cats and kittens need homes! You wouldn't believe it. I will never do anything but adopt. I can see the allure of buying a beautiful kitten from a breeder. . .but (as this story illustrates) you never really know what you're going to get with a kitten!

Anyway, not to keep harping. But I've just learned so much in the past few months since adopting a kitten. . .and then subsequently adopting a second bc the first clearly needed a playmate (I am not up for racing down the halls at 6am!). And getting to know people who foster for shelters. And reading Jackson Galaxies books and others. . .

 

[She's a witch]

I've left clothes near her sleeping spots but she ignores them. I can try slipping some under the couch, her new favorite sleeping spot, see what happens.

The scope of having a dirty laundry laying around is for her to familiarize with your scent, don’t expect her yet to sleep on it or get high on it (my friend’s cat does that ). Simply place it near her so that your scent is always around her.

 

[She's a witch]

I believe this as well so what I'm writing is not directed at anyone in particular.

The problem is insurance cost money also. Even the monthly cost for covering 2 healthy kittens at the mid-range of a popular company (annual reimbursement of $10K, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement) is over $35 a month for 2 kittens and can vary considerably depending on the company and type of care they offer. Prices are not only calculated by location but by breed and age of the cat. Some, even will ask about past illnesses and some will not cover cats over a certain age with certain prior health conditions.

The above scenario still leaves a person with money they will have to pay out-of-pocket also. If something goes really wrong $10K can be eaten up really fast! A friend of mine recently had one of her cats suddenly get extremely ill and here it is 2 weeks later and the doctors still have no clear diagnosis. He was in critical care for 5 days, in an oxygen tank, hooked up to IV, with fluids and medications flowing through him 24/7. The final bill was close to $20K. Thankfully, he's on the mend but there is still continuing care needed until he's 100% well. This family is of decent financial means and have insurance but not enough to cover because they have 5 cats and 5 cats x 5 insurance policies....and well, who anticipated that kind of mysterious illness would strike out of the blue? They were lucky to have a wide circle of friends who were happy to pitch in to help out with the extra cost but most people are not as fortunate to have such an enormous amount of help.

And lets not forget all the other trips to the vet; wellness visits with potential additional core vaccinations that will require additional cost. If one is on a limited budget such as a student or retiree these additional funds can be hard to justify and can mean the difference not only in the care of the other cat but in the care of themselves.

I'm all for clearing out shelters and for having a kitten have a friend. It IS better for them overall and if the OP finds it in his heart to adopt another and make it work for his budget, that would be fantastic. But one does need to be realistic about their personal finances and there's no shame in knowing if you are not equipped to handle that extra cost.

Absolutely, and I don’t want to sound like I disregard any financial limitations. In fact I often wonder if I decided to keep a cat if I found her in the US (I lived in Europe where vet’s prices are waaaaaaaaaaay more reasonable). But yet people still get cats. I like to think (and hope) that the 20k$ emergency is pretty rare, even if I know it happens, because frankly, not many people will be able to spend that. And if someone has already one cat, what are the odds that both of them would require such expensive treatment.. Bad luck happen, I know but I’d be hopeful.
We were advised against the insurance as we have some savings&credit cards and one of my cat has previous condition (diagnosed back in Europe), and as you mentioned, that wouldn’t be covered, and it’s great chunk of her health maintenance cost. We’ve been told the best way for us would be to simply set aside money every month to create the cat emergency fund, and it does seem like some alternative. It’s unlike though that we can get 20k anytime soon in that )

 

[She's a witch]

I can afford to cover several $2k-$3k surprise surgeries without issue, the dilemma is if someone threw a $20k bill my way.

Me again, as I keep thinking about this ;-) several 2-3k without issue seems more than most of the cat owners can afford, I'm guessing. Am I unrealistic? I mean, don't get me wrong, if you can afford a purebred cat, your financial situation must be better than of most cat owners. Of course, you know your limitations and it's great and very responsible. So if you still consider another kitten, I'd encourage you to talk to an adoption advisor from the shelter (some of them have it). I honestly doubt that they require potential owner to have $20k ready to spend on cat's emergency.

 

[NovusAnimus]

Me again, as I keep thinking about this ;-) several 2-3k without issue seems more than most of the cat owners can afford, I'm guessing. Am I unrealistic? I mean, don't get me wrong, if you can afford a purebred cat, your financial situation must be better than of most cat owners. Of course, you know your limitations and it's great and very responsible. So if you still consider another kitten, I'd encourage you to talk to an adoption advisor from the shelter (some of them have it). I honestly doubt that they require potential owner to have $20k ready to spend on cat's emergency.

It's because of my weird financial situation. I have money saved up, but quit my job to start my own thing at home, so I currently make pennies, and am bleeding money. But even at my worst projections, I'll be able to take care of my kitty in most dire circumstances; not true if I have two kitties though, unless my new career takes off.

And I decided to get a Ragdoll because I wanted a companion to hang with me while I go on this financially precarious journey, so the initial investment seemed wise, based on my research on breed options. She wasn't THAT expensive, because she wasn't spayed yet, she was a few weeks older than typical kitten adoption age, I'm not allowed to breed her, and she doesn't have the 'perfect' colors/marks for a show cat.

I'm gonna give my kitty her space for a while (some playing, some treats, but otherwise leave her be, cause I'm probably crowding her and trying too hard), and re-evaluate adopting a friend for her next month.

 

[danteshuman]

Can we see some pictures of her?

I hear you about finances (I’m on SSI.) My last cat Dante unexpectedly got sick (severe asthma & pancreatitis at the same time, all of a sudden) that one week of at home care/bloodwork/xrays/specialist to look at the X-ray cost around $1300 Including putting my baby to sleep & cremating him. I made the choice to call it early because I didn’t want him to suffer & he was breathing heavy 25/7. So my worst case cat emergency would be $5,000 probably because I wouldn’t do things like chemo. When Nick had to loose half his tail (damn husky) that cost around a thousand to (he was young and otherwise healthy.) Even if I could get around the one pet rule it would still effect the care of my current cat Jackie.

I hope your financial situation improves soon. I also hope you get a kitten ....... years from now when you are able. Until then maybe you can find her a playmate to slowly get to know/become friends? Trust me Jackie is quiet happy, content & spoiled as a single kitty most of the week. There are many happy single cats out there. Also Nick now only goes outside with a harness to keep him in my mom’s yard. Jackie has always had to wear the harness if he is outside. It keeps him safe.

 

[NovusAnimus]

Can we see some pictures of her?

I hear you about finances (I’m on SSI.) My last cat Dante unexpectedly got sick (severe asthma & pancreatitis at the same time, all of a sudden) that one week of at home care/bloodwork/xrays/specialist to look at the X-ray cost around $1300 Including putting my baby to sleep & cremating him. I made the choice to call it early because I didn’t want him to suffer & he was breathing heavy 25/7. So my worst case cat emergency would be $5,000 probably because I wouldn’t do things like chemo. When Nick had to loose half his tail (damn husky) that cost around a thousand to (he was young and otherwise healthy.) Even if I could get around the one pet rule it would still effect the care of my current cat Jackie.

I hope your financial situation improves soon. I also hope you get a kitten ....... years from now when you are able. Until then maybe you can find her a playmate to slowly get to know/become friends? Trust me Jackie is quiet happy, content & spoiled as a single kitty most of the week. There are many happy single cats out there. Also Nick now only goes outside with a harness to keep him in my mom’s yard. Jackie has always had to wear the harness if he is outside. It keeps him safe.

I could afford a second cat assuming no extreme/unusual/rare surgeries are required, I'm just not sure that's a risk I want to take.

And there are a couple of pictures in the thread.

 

[NovusAnimus]

Kitty is doing better. The amount of hissing is unchanged, but she's slowly getting more comfortable coming closer to me without me luring her in with play or treats. No petting yet.

I got her a new wand toy, the Jackson Galaxy one with the double rubber feathers. She went nuts for that thing, so much bigger and tougher than her previous wand feather toy. To my surprise, she spent the first few minutes of biting and chasing it hissing at it too. And earlier, she was bouncing around on her banana toy, and as she was bouncing she lost track of it for a second, and hissed, before she found it again and started playing again.

Girl just loves to hiss.

 

[susanm9006]

My girl Willow hisses at her toys and sometimes hisses for no apparent reason. It is unusual and she is the one of my cats what has done this. Your cat just might be similar.

 

[cat nap]

...To my surprise, she spent the first few minutes of biting and chasing it hissing at it too. And earlier, she was bouncing around on her banana toy, and as she was bouncing she lost track of it for a second, and hissed, before she found it again and started playing again.

Girl just loves to hiss.

Goodness....this is just adorable!
I think your gorgeous kitten just likes to communicate in this fashion, for awhile.
(on a serious note....if her hearing is okay, and she looks at you while you speak, then...all is well.)

If I hold out a treat for her, and she's hungry, she'll up to the treat, bop it with her nose, and wait for me to drop it.

See, I was very impressed by this 'bopping up to the treat', and waiting for you to drop it...procedure.
In the future, ...if she happens to actually be able to 'choose which closed hand you have the treat in'....by scent....then I'll be even more impressed.

And I didn't name her to maintain anonymity.

I forgot that purebred cats have all those special names, for lineage.

You know you could just give her 'an internet name'....which would still maintain your anonymity.
(In my mind....I'd call her Elsa...from the movie Frozen....since she's jumpy, playful, and likes to run a lot.)

( NovusAnimus ....please don't let your room-mate, ever see this thread, or happen to see over your shoulder.
So far....I'm thinking that you're living with "Shrek"....with that 'stinky' and 'stomping around' description.
I know...I have to stop watching animated features.)

That your kitten is getting closer to you...is fantastic.
May it continue like this daily.

 

[She's a witch]

One of my cats almost never hisses, I’ve only heard him doing it on two occasions: when he’s given fresh raw meat and the other cat gets too close to him, and when I’m playing with the Da Bird wand with him
I actually really like cat’s hiss, it’s such a “subtle”, graceful message

But it’s interesting that the breeder didn’t warn you that she’s a hisser. Unless she wasn’t such a hissing girl before. Either way, it’s interesting.

 

[danteshuman]

What happens if you play with her, give her a quick 1-3 second ear or chin scratch, then go back to playing with her?

That was how I dealt with my hyper punk when he was a kitten. I would also lure him onto my lap using wand toys, just to get him up there.

 

[NovusAnimus]

But it’s interesting that the breeder didn’t warn you that she’s a hisser. Unless she wasn’t such a hissing girl before. Either way, it’s interesting.

The breeder did say she hissed once when she picked her up from the cattery (which wasn't where I was meeting her. I met her at her ranch). The whole situation with acquiring the cat went by quickly, a bit rushed. In retrospect I definitely should have asked more questions before driving down to get her.

What happens if you play with her, give her a quick 1-3 second ear or chin scratch, then go back to playing with her?

I can't get in a 1-second-long pet, let alone 3. But if I sneak in a gentle poke while playing, she'll hiss and back off a few feet, give me the stink eye, and sit down. Then she'll resume playing if I re-engage her with the wand toy.

 

[cat nap]

You don't by any chance use 'citrus smelling' hand soap or dish detergent?
Or any strong smelling deodorant like 'Axe'.
Cats generally don't like the smell of citrus, and strong smelling scents can be bothersome.

When you play with her, ...are you able to lay down, and get her to run over your body, with the wand toy?
(Much like Jcatbird and danteshuman mentioned in earlier posts.)
If you sit down, with legs legs straight out, and she gets very involved in running after the wand toy, she may just run over each leg, and eventually get closer to running on your thighs. If you actually lay down, then she could run all over your legs and body.

 

[NovusAnimus]

You don't by any chance use 'citrus smelling' hand soap or dish detergent?
Or any strong smelling deodorant like 'Axe'.
Cats generally don't like the smell of citrus, and strong smelling scents can be bothersome.

When you play with her, ...are you able to lay down, and get her to run over your body, with the wand toy?
(Much like Jcatbird and danteshuman mentioned in earlier posts.)
If you sit down, with legs legs straight out, and she gets very involved in running after the wand toy, she may just run over each leg, and eventually get closer to running on your thighs. If you actually lay down, then she could run all over your legs and body.

Vanilla and brown sugar hand soap. Normal 'pure' body soap. I use a little deodorant, certainly nothing strong. And I've always had less BO than your typical guy.

I can try lying down and see if she'll run over me with the toy today. I can already get her to run into and bounce against my legs, but I haven't tried actually getting her to go onto me in pursuit, since she's still a bit skittish. She still runs off if I walk directly at her (hiss, runs, comes back out 20 seconds later).

 

[susanm9006]

I personally enjoy cats with a little attitude. As long as she isn’t attacking a hiss means nothing except keep your distance or I am fierce. I am thinking this little girl just didn’t have enough socialization when she was younger but will grow to be an awesome and maybe a little bit feisty cat.