Cat Behavior Help?

Question

So my friend has a 7 year old, gray, female American shorthair cat. I’ve only known the cat for about 9 months as well as my friend. I find that this cat has a very low tolerance for me, much lower then she used to. When I first met her, I could pick her up, she would lay on my lap for up to an hour at a time, very playful, etc. but that all changed when they moved houses. I swear the cat is still not used to the “new” house and I put quotes around it because they’ve been there about 4 months now and the first 2 weeks they moved there the cat was exploring and fine but none of her stuff got unpacked, the cats toys and everything got unpacked 2 weeks ago. Ever since they moved to the new house the cat has always been spending her days laying down, for like 2 months she’d only leave my friends room to eat and use the litter box. Now she actually spends time in other places in the house but her behavior is not where it used to be when they were at the old house. This is also the 3rd house this cat has been in with the same family. She doesn’t purr as much, she stopped coming to sit on people’s laps, she sort of stopped greeting people when they walked in the house, I got her to play once for like 10 minutes and that was it. Granted I’ve annoyed her a few times by playing a little too rough and picking her up but I never thought it was enough for her not to like me anymore or have her tolerance level with me be very low. What can I do to get her to like me again, if anything? Thx

Updated 1 day ago:

I also don’t see this cat very often, maybe once every few weeks, sometimes once a week at most.

Updated 1 day ago:

She’s also hissed at me quite often in the last few months from me playing too hard which I need to get used to not playing as hard but I’m not used to cats at all I’m more used to dogs. Also the last time she hissed was right after I put her down from picking her up and I only held her for maybe 30 seconds and that was the first time she ever hissed at me for picking her up but right after I put her down, my friend picked her up and held her for 30 seconds, put her down...she didn’t hiss at all

Allison · Answer

The cat is pissed off about the move and will carry a grudge for a long time.  Try befriending her with treats or fresh catnip.

PR · Answer

Cats can change behaviors for a variety of reasons. If you have already noticed that you may be playing too roughly, that would be a great reason to stop. Cats don't just come out and say, "Stop doing that". You need to read their body language. It could take time for her to come around, if you have been continuing to do this despite her cues to stop. Cats know if you are "listening" or not.

BUT, if the cat is acting differently, even when you are not there, the owners must take her to the vet. A cat can be sick and the owner may not realize. The first signs may be a cat becoming quieter, staying in one place when it did not do that before, etc. A vet visit may reveal an infection or other issue, which can be treated in time to avoid more severe problems. If that might be the case, then suggest this to your friends.

Reasons for a cat to stop playing, or is acting differently:
-Sick
-Changes in home (new move is a change but she should be used to her new home by now).
-New animal in home
-New pet in home-
-Left behind a friend cat, dog or human and is sad because of this.
-Noises in home cat is not used to
-New schedule of care takers
-NEW SCENT (IE: Dog or cat in adjoining building; someone bringing scent of another cat with them, etc.)
-YOU have a new cat or dog in your home and are brining this scent with you on your clothes. Cats are very sensitive to these things.

I would first suggest the owners get kitty checked at the vet if she is not acting herself, in any way at this point. THEN, you will need to regain her trust by very quietly playing with her when she comes out. First, pet her gently, Then, do other quiet things. Begin like she is a brand new cat to you, and you have never met her. Then, DO NOT play roughly with her, or she may never come out when you are there, again.

We just had our daughter over with her two children aged 2 1/2 and 2 months. Between the new people, toddler running around, and baby crying, NO cats came out at all while they were visiting - for a couple days. They all huddled together on a bed, upstairs. Poor kitties!!

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Cat Behavior Help?

2 Answers