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Scaredy CatsPlease read all the articles before writing - your question may already have been answered.
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Hi
Wendy! i
hope that you can help me. i have somewhat of an unusual problem.
i adopted my kitten from our local Humane Society about 2 years
ago, and she is now almost 3. she has lived with just me in
a small townhouse for 2 years. we have been with my parents
in their home for almost 1 year (my sister and brother-in-law also
live here- it's a big house). everything was great.
she adjusted to the move well, and gets along with everyone but
my brother-in-law (he is a big person, and she runs every time he
is near). However about 2 days ago she began this unusual
behavior. She began to "hang out" in her litter
box. She just goes in, and makes herself comfortable in the
back. It is a hooded box, and she has had it since i got her.
She usually "hangs out" in her carrier. She would
sleep, lie down, or just sit in her carrier, but lately it seems
like she is treating her litter box more like her carrier.
I tried to take the hood off, i tried to move the litter box, i
tried to entice her back into her carrier with treats and towels
that she loves. She's go in, and immediately comes right out.
It's like it's foreign to her (she has also had the carrier since
i got her and has always felt comfortable in it). have you
hear of this problem before? and how can i fix it? i
am going to try to buy a new carrier for her and see if that works.
Please respond.
thanks a lot- -adele
I realize you wrote
me some time ago and I pray that your cat is feeling safer these days!
No, I have
never encountered a situation quite like yours, but I do know that
cats can come up with some doosies! I
would suggest that you give your bother-in-law a small job to do,
if he is willing. Whenever he enters a room where your cat is,
have him offer her a treat or toy that she likes. She doesn't
have to take it, he just needs to leave it where she can see it.
She will start to associate him with something pleasant.
If he speaks
in a deep gruff voice, ask him to speak softer around her (I know
that's asking a lot, but the cat might not be used to his male
voice). I
wish you well - please let me know how things go! God
bless! WendyHi, Adele! |
Dear Wendy I was wondering if you could help me with any ideas to stop my cat from being so afraid of my husband, he is not scary at all, he loves her & would never hurt her. He is really hurt when she keeps running away from him, if he puts food out for her she won't eat it but just runs outside & won't come back in. When we both come in together from work she just runs outside. She's not afraid of him all the time though, & it’s only the last few months she has done this. what can I do? thank you very muchHi! Thanks for your question! I have some ideas: 1. Is your husband wearing any kind of new after shave, cologne, or something of that nature that kitty might not like? 2. Have hubby be the "snack" guy. You say he puts food out for her, but is it canned? Give kitty 1/4 can of canned food daily as a treat and sit nearby. She may let him pet her. 3. Have hubby play with kitty. Most cats will chase something that's moving. A string will do! 4. Petting kitty on the face only is very relaxing to a cat. If you can pick her up and give her to hubby, have him try this method: I use my index finger starting at the nose and going up to the head. I make gentle circles and rub the ears. This is very calming to the cat. After I typed my opinions above, I checked the web and this is a site I found that might also help you: http://www.feline-behavior.com/html/hiding.html I hope this helps! Please let me know how things are going! |
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