Cat Is Antisocial, And It’s Starting To Affect Her Health.?
Posted by: Alan in Cat Health Problem, tags: Affect, Antisocial, Health, It's, Starting
I have five cats, three female and two male. One of my adult females is extremely antisocial, toward the other cats and to most of the people in the house. Actually, the only person she likes is my husband. All of my cats have run of the house, (Baby Smokey finally learned the litter box thing), but Natasha stays upstairs all day and night, coming down only rarely to eat, then running back upstairs to hide. When any of the other cats come near her, she hisses and runs away. She’s been acting like this since her kittens weaned. I’m worried because she’s starting to lose weight, and I think she might be a bit malnourished, but not due to us not feeding her, she just doesn’t like to come down to eat. What can we do to fix her attitude problem?
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November 1st, 2009 at 1:39 am
Ok so what you’re saying is that it has not always been this way and started after she weaned her kittens? How long has it been going on ? Changes in behavior in cats can indicate that the cat is not feeling well. I would take her to the vet for a check up. If you think she is losing weight because she doesn’t like coming downstairs put some food and water and a litter box upstairs for her (then you will know for sure if she is losing weight because of illness or not) . But definitely take her to the vet.
November 1st, 2009 at 4:52 am
Check her toilet habits – does she do her nr two and NOT cover it? If that is the case it’s definitely territorial.
We had that for a while when we got out male kitten, she had been used to being the sole cat, and wasn’t used to being bothered by a kitten 24×7.
It’s getting better tho, day by day, so I reckon hang in there, just pay her lots of attention (like your husband must give her lots of extra attention and treats and stuff). It helps make her feel special.
November 1st, 2009 at 10:12 am
First I would have her examined by a doctor to make sure it is behavioral and not medical. Next I would try something like bach’s rescue remedy. You can get it online or in health food stores. Worst case scenario, maybe she likes to be an only cat and needs to be rehomed to be happy. But I hope it doesn’t come to that. Good luck to you.
November 1st, 2009 at 10:54 am
I am assuming all your cats are “fixed”?cats are sometimes jealous little creatures.Is the cat with the attitude problem the first cat you adopted?I have some cats like that.nearly the same as you.I have three girls and two boys.The old man (he is a 19 yr.old Siamese)is crabby and doesn’t want strangers around him I have the first cat of my group and she is a spoiled princess.Hates being around the others.But we all live happily through the little fusses.Try feeding the cat in a separate room and show it some extra attention.
November 1st, 2009 at 12:26 pm
first thing is health. she is not coming down to eat because she doesn’t want to see other cats, fine, so you put a bowl upstairs. get her some nutritious food.
second, sociability… hard… some cats are just like that. my second cat Buli is also extremely shy. every time we moved place (we move quite often), he hid under a sofa or inside cabinet for over 24hrs, no water no food; you won’t find him when there’s a visitor at home. maybe you can bring your cat (with string) to a park where there are other cats. transform natasha into a more outdoor cat? also if she’s hiding in a room upstairs, close all the doors upstairs so she has no where to hide and be forced to go down with the others. (do this for a week!) and hopefully there’ll be a change. try to gloom her, hug her, play with her more, to let her know not only your husband is caring her. (but i found it usual that female cat gets on better with male master!)
good luck!
November 1st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
You need to get her into the vet. Expecially if she isnt eating normally.
I dont want to frighten you, but I had a cat that suddenly started acting like you have discribed and it just kept getting worse. When I took her to the doctor, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Kitty leukemia is really hard to watch. She got to the point she wouldnt even come out of hiding and started doing her business right where she was laying without even getting up. Nothing scarier or grosser (and sad) than seeing your sweet kitty just laying there going poo! That was when I faced the fact she wouldnt be getting better as I had wished and had her put down.
It was awful.
So, just catch her and take her in to make sure she is ok. It sounds like a health issue causing her to avoid everyone.
Good luck!