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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Illnesses can cause behavior changes.
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
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have had this cat around 1 year now. She has gotten pregnant 2 times, so she has, 4 kids. Suddenly she started hating me, whenever I want to touch her she runs away. And when I catch her, she starts hissing at me. I never did anything to make her hate me. She never comes to me and is always scared of me. But she is not acting this way with any other person, just me. Please tell me why, or what should I do to make her not hate me?
By Jessica from Estonia
She is teaching you to respect animals. I have had the same "lesson" in my experience with cats. We often think that we can touch and pick up cats and dogs and even children without "asking" them if they want that. Imagine being hauled up to a great height by a giant with your bodyweight hanging.
Your cat may have something on its body that hurts when she is held. It could be an abcess from a cat fight, or an ear infection or a tooth infection. It would be a good idea to take her to a Veterinarian to be checked out. While you are there you can have her neutered (spayed) so she doesnt have any more kittens. She will be a much healthier cat when she isnt pregnant all the time. Sometimes cats get aggressive when they are protecting their kittens. When she is spayed, she will have more time and affection for you too.
Why does my cat all of a sudden hate me? Within the last month or two everytime I have come home from college she will not come near me. And when I try and pick her up she acts like she is scared to death and hisses at me. Why is this?
By Hayley from Overland Park, KS
Most likely it's its way of showing you that it's not happy with you being gone so much.
Kas1014 Just what I was going to say. Hayley, The cat is probably NOT acting afraid, but wants to get away from you, because you go away from it. You might try bringing it a catnip treat when you get home and having it in your hand when you pet, pick up or try to cuddle your cat. It is going to take some time for the cat to believe you are coming back after each time you go away. There are many other variables, do you have younger siblings?, does the cat get enough attention & love from the rest of the family? are there other pets? how young was it when you got it, as in imprinting on you as mother? Think on these things and I am sure your answers will come. Maybe you need to leave a pair of dirty socks where it sleeps?
Maybe your cat is sick or injured in some way and it has nothing to do with you. If the cat acts this way towards others besides you, maybe you should take her to the vet.
I would say see your vet and have the cat checked out. Also the cat may miss you and is just showing how it feels. Who cares for the cat while you are gone? How is the cat around other people? You may bring many smells with you on your clothing which may scare the cat. Can you leave a sweat shirt, or sweater for the cat to sleep on? Nix the dirty sox, please. How old is this kitty? Good luck to you.
