My cat is a black British shorthair who is five, but I've had him about 3 years. I got him from a animal shelter and he seemed very scared of humans and would lash out at people. I've been slowly getting him to be a lovely pet and since around 6 months ago he is a saint who never does anything to hurt people. I have also been gone for around six hours a day at work and also been gone for a week each year I've had him.
Normally I get my mate to feed him and stay with him for a bit so he stays comfortable. Now I had been gone around 4 and a half days looking after my mum who was a bit ill, but my mate wasn't in the country as he was on holiday.
So I brought a 90 day cat feeder so he I didn't have to worry about food. I also put around three bowls of water and also put a bucket outside so if I had to stay longer than expected I could get a neighbor to fill it up. When I got back he seemed timid and very very scared of me. Maybe even terrified. Which is not his character at all. So anyway I caught him and just cuddled him for a bit while stroking him. Which would normally calm him down, I also let him smell my finger in case he didn't recognise me. When I got the flea treatment out then he spazzed out worse than he used to and start hissing viciously. When I did it I let go and he ran away.
I'm quite worried as I recognise my cat's way of acting and he doesn't seem like the same cat at all. The weird thing is he seemed skittish and when he used to run away almost like a jog, but this was a full sprint.
I've put in a picture of him as well.
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I strongly suggest a vet consult. Sudden behavior changes can be from a health condition. If he gets a clean bill of health, your vet can help you develope a strategy to win that sweet face back. Good luck!n let us know how it goes.
He seems slightly less skittish but still doesnt really like anything to do with me
So sorry you are having such a rough go. It sounds like both you and the kit are stressed! It couldn't hurt to at least call the vet and get their opinion.
I actually had a very similar thing happen to me, except it was isolated in the way that my cat would pull away from only me every now and then because I was the only one who travelled a lot and left home for long periods of time. Basically, I had to earn back her trust EVERY time. One time, it took well over 3 months. It seems to be a trust issue in your case, as well. You were there, then you were not there. You also got him from a shelter and he was scared of humans... could have been a trust issue from the start before he even knew you. You should do as you did the first time around. It's a process.
Thank you for the advice, was just worried as Ive had so much progress with him and didnt want to lose it.
I think your mates and your absence set him off. You will have to go back to square one to earn his trust and confidence that you will take care of him.
Yeah thats what I was thinking, my mate is the only one that he really trusts other than a few other family members.
I am so sorry. It must be hard to have your buddy fearful of you. I am guessing he felt abandoned when you left, much like he was as a kitten. You will need to rebuild that bond. I would carve out some special things that relax him that you can participate in.
He only really likes to lay in bed with me while I stroke him so it difficult for me to get him to stay. He isnt food oriented or likes toys he just like humans so its weird for him to completely stay away from me.
he looks like a lovely cat
what i found out watching Cats from Hell (and who says reality TV is not informative, lol) is that what will increase a cat's confidence more than anything is the ability to perch.
if I had your cat I would construct lots of shelves or buy a shelf and then make it so that he has access to it. If he know he has the ability to get away from everyone and simultaneously watch over everything that wil in his feline way increase his confidence and eventually warm up to you
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