Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

I have a behavioral question for you...

My co-worker has a cat that she rescued (it was a stray - her DH found it at about 3 weeks old) and is now about 1 year 3-4 months old.

She's having problems with the cat hissing at people if they try to approch her to pet her or if they walk in her general direction. I think it's the later problem that really has them worried as it's one thing to tell a guest not to pet the cat and to just let her approach you, it's another to have to regulate someone as to where they can walk around your house b/c the cat is not comfortable with it.

Generally speaking she's not aggressive as she will not scratch, attack or bite you but she's clearly uncomfortable.

If someone comes into the house and ignores her, she'll come over to them and rub up against your leg and walk in between your legs.

Also, she said that when they first got her she was very affectionate. She would climb up into your lap and sleep on your shoulder or chest. Now she wants no part of that.

I think there's some concern b/c my co-worker is PG and I think they're concerned about when the baby comes home.

Does anyone have any suggestions for helping the situation? Is it just the personality of the cat?

Thanks!

Message edited 1/17/2008 11:04:19 AM.

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Is the cat fixed? Some cats are just like that. I would just ignore hissing. As long as she doesn't try to hit or bite, hissing is harmless.
They could try giving her treats when people come to the house or when they approach her, kind of a positive reinforcement thing.
But if that doesn't work, I would just ignore the cat and let her come when she wants. Some cats only want affection on their own terms.

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

honestly, i think the cat senses that your friend is pregnant and is becoming slightly aggressive because of the change that is coming. you should x-post this to the pregnancy board---cause of alot of the ladies on there say they have had this similiar problem where cats start to change their behavior when they became pregnant.

and usually the cat will walk around people's legs and stuff that don't look at them---because people who ignore the cat seem non-threatening to them and therefore the cat feels they can approach them rather than those who look directly at them and attempt to play/pet them.

this might just be a phase for the cat and when she gives birth the cat should hopefully come around.

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Thanks ladies...I will be sure to pass on this info to her!

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

does the cat have favorite toy its protecting?
i know it seems that its a silly question but thats the only time my 1 cat hisses.. if you approach him when he's with his "puff ball" he even will growl like a dog

i do also thing that since ur friend is pg the cats more protective and senses the change..

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Thats a good point about her being pregnant. Animals are so sensitive to even the smallest changes, and can sense when something is different. It could totally be a reaction to her pregnancy.

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Just wanted to thank you guys again... I forwarded the responses to her and she said she never even gave her pregnancy a thought and how it might affect the cat.

She was very greatful to all of you who responded and wanted me to thank you!

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Is she a torti? Torti's are known for this type of behavior.

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

I had all of these fears when I was PG. One of my cats, particularly, tends to be a little more neurotic than the other. Like the other said, hissing is harmless. It probably does sense that she is PG. There are ways to make the transition easier. For example, we went to a seminar at BRU and they said to get a doll and hold it as if it was the baby. Rub baby lotion on the doll so they get used to the scent. Another thing I highly recomemmend it a felliway diffuser. It calmed my cats down. We didn't really have too many issues when the baby came. I got the cold shoulder for a week but now after 6 months they're used to it. They jump in my lap whenever it is free.

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!

can she try talking to the cat as she's walking around? i talk to my cat all day long to try and help her get used to people's voices--the neighbors probably think i'm nuts when the windows are open she was a stray for 3 years and is very scared of everything.

best of luck to your friend and her furbaby!

Re: Cat owners/lovers come in. Sorry it's kind of long!