behaviour problem

[Shirley-ann]

Please help!!!


I have introduced a gorgeous black semi fluffy cat into my house, I have had Harry for 7 weeks he is about 10 months old, he came from a rescue centre. My problem is he keeps crying to go out no sooner he is out he cries to come back in (walkes around the side entrance) we let him him and walkes straight through and cries to go back out again, could anyone tell me why he keeps doing this??? Do you think he is still feeling insecure??

Also he wont let myself or hubby hold him, doesn't come onto your lap he seems very unsociable I have tried encouraging him with treats he jumps up on my knee and as soon as the treats are gone he jumps back down, wanting to go back out again only to be back in a few minutes later.

Also this sounds strange but he has a fobia of black shoes and prefers us wearing our pyjamas he is more relaxed, & I don't know why?????
Please could someone help, am I doing something wrong?? I was concidering getting another kitten/cat but I don't know how he would react, I would love two cats. I am at home all day, so he does bond with me better than my hubby, our children have grown up and fled the nest so it's just the two of us & Harry the cat. Any sugjestions please????:???:

[Emm]

Hi :D

Cats can be a law unto themselves at times. My advice would be just to relax don't force anything - in time he will settle down I wouldn't recommend getting another cat at the moment I would give him a chance to settle in first. Do you know any-thing about his background?

Not all cats like to be picked up - my 2 girls hate to be picked up so I don't ever pick them up - but my boys love a cuddle.

He will settle in - he just needs time to adjust and know that he can trust you - I find cats make their own rules and we just have to obey them :lol: I always say the pecking order in my house is - cats, then me and OH, then the dogs (poor dogs!)

[Shirley-ann]

IHi Emm

No I don't really have anything on harry's background only that he was apparently found roaming the streets so he was taken into Wellcat in Birmingham (charity organisation) for cats to be rehomed. So you wouln't recommened be having another just yet then? I also think I have spolit him as I bought Sheba (the ones in pots) and he eats that & biscuits (only Gocat kitten biscuits) I have tried him on all brand varieties of wet food but walks away I have just left it down all day but he refuses to go anywhere near it other than Sheba & his buscuits A pampard cat or what!!! what would you recommend just keep him on them?

[Emm]

cats were born to be served! :lol:


I'm quite lucky that my cats will eat anything - I give them Sheba as a treat every now and again.
This is what I did with my cats when I got them I put the food down if they walked away from it or turned their nose up I would take it away at the end of the day and the next day they would get a fresh portion of the same food put down. They never starved themselves and I don't have a problem with them refusing food -but I always make sure every week they get a treat of some yummy Sheba or tuna.

[Shirley-ann]

It seems I have done the wrong thing, I had a cat for 13 years and lost him very recently to Kindney failure, he was very simlar to Harry with his eating but he would eat differant varieties. Should I try him with something else he's not very fat so I would be worrying if he didn't eat & just ate buscuits I know they are a meal but he needs fattening up, what would you recommed I did Emm?

[Donna]

Maybe he is just testing the boundaries... seeing if you act on his every command ... going out, coming in etc. It might all be a bit novel to him to have his own servant!!

[Shirley-ann]

Maybe he is just testing the boundaries... seeing if you act on his every command ... going out, coming in etc. It might all be a bit novel to him to have his own servant!!
Hi Donna
Your right I am his servant!! I will try to ignore and not jump to his every command, as for his eating habits I will just have to try and give him Whiskers or some other, as most cats only have Sheba for a treat not every mealtime, but he won't eat anything other than that, apart from his buscuits, and he is fussy with them only wan'ts Go cat kitten biccys. Any ideas Donna???

[dinahsmum]

Wonder if he has any oriental in him? Siamese are incredibly vocal - and seem to think they merit being waited on even more than other cats!

[Donna]

Hi Donna
Your right I am his servant!! I will try to ignore and not jump to his every command, as for his eating habits I will just have to try and give him Whiskers or some other, as most cats only have Sheba for a treat not every mealtime, but he won't eat anything other than that, apart from his buscuits, and he is fussy with them only wan'ts Go cat kitten biccys. Any ideas Donna???

I have a very fussy kitty too Shirley-Ann!!! Things guaranteed to get eaten down in one are cod fillets, tuna and prawns are fairly well received. Cat food just seems to be so "out of fashion" with my Chloe. But I dont have any further ideas other than that I am afraid. I am at a loss as to what to do with my fusspot feline!!:roll:

[Sweet]

I cannot really offer any advice as Violet is my first kitten, but just wanted to say I am sure things will only get better in time x

[Donna]

Found this on a problem site for feeding pets. Dont know if this helps at all:


Thin Maine Coon Cat
Q: I have a 3 year old silver and white Maine Coon cat. He does not seem
to exhibit many of the traits of his breed. First, and foremost of my concerns, is
the fact that although has has a very large frame, he always seems thin.
He has a good appetite, but he is not a competitive eater (he shares
his world with 3 other cats, all indoor) He ways about 9 or 10 pounds
which I know is not what he should be weighing. He has been tested
for everything including FIP and FIV. He had a lot of nervous problems
when he was younger that included incessant scratching that literally took
the fur and skin off of his head. He out grew that and seems more relaxed
all around. Is there something that I can supplement his diet with, or perhaps
some high-calorie food that I should try him on? Also, he has incredibly long
fur that mats like nothing that I have ever dealt with. Even when I have him
groomed, he looks like you-know-what within minutes. I have a groomer's
comb that does seem to work on the mats but the poor kiity sees me coming
and beats a hasty retreat...any suggestions? Thanks! Carole A: Carole-It is usually pretty easy to add calories to any diet and it doesn't affect
the rest of the diet much (doesn't usually alter the vitamin/mineral balance, etc.).
Just add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to the food you normally use to add calories
to the diet. Before you do this it would be a good idea to ask your vet if he or she
agrees that your cat is underweight. It sounds like he may be but many people
want their pets to weigh more than they should. Also, it may be a good idea to
make sure that your vet checked for cardiomyopathy. It sounds like it from your
description of many tests being run but it is a difficult to diagnose disorder than
can lead to thinness and a "laid back" attitude.

[Donna]

You have got me thinking now!!!! Do think Chloe could benefit from a few extra calories!!!


Problems Gaining Weight

Some older cats may be at risk for becoming underweight. In fact, a greater proportion of older cats is underweight than for any other age group.

Older cats may eat less because they lack the desire to eat or because of a decrease in their sense of smell or taste. Dental problems or chronic disease conditions also may contribute. Some older cats may consume the same amount of food but are less efficient at digesting or absorbing nutrients, perhaps due to disease.

If poor appetite is a problem, intake may be encouraged by:
choosing a palatable super-premium diet;
moistening dry food;
warming food to body temperature;
offering fresh food frequently;
encouraging the cat during feeding;
minimizing noise and stress during feeding.
Another cause for weight loss could be a change to a lower-calorie diet recommended for older cats. If an individual cat is not inactive, consumption of a lower-calorie diet may lead to inappropriate weight loss.

For underweight cats, it is important to be sure they receive adequate calories to support their nutritional needs. If weight loss is not attributed to a specific diagnosis, a high-calorie, nutrient-dense food should be recommended. Most geriatric diets are designed for low-calorie density and are not appropriate for these cats.

[Bengal Cat Rescue]

I've seen a number os 'black' Bengals recently all kittens. He could have some Bengal in him. Its common for them not to like being picked up and being very vocal.

i have a professional behaviourist who works with me, she is available by phone if you want to talk to someone.