NationStates Jolt Archive

I need some help figuring out what's wrong with my cat Amelia. These past few nights, she would hide under my bed and if I tried to pull her out and put her on my bed, she would hiss at me and then run back under. However, this only occurs at night, during the day she's a sweetheart and is her normal self, Hell this morning she was on my bed under my top layer of blanket. However, at night for some odd reason she either wants to sleep on my mom's bed or stay under mine, but not get on it. Right now I think that she doesn't like the smell of my bed, so I'm having my sheets, pillow case and blankets washed to see if that helps thing. All in all, nothing really changed except that (except for today) every Saturday I'm with my girlfriend all day and don't come home till like midnight. It's a little perplexing because during the day she likes to be on my bed, but at night she hisses at me if she's put on my bed. Any ideas anyone?

They're called ethologists.

They're called ethologists.

Ok, thanks.

About as unqualified as they come, so this answer is FFMA-

If the thing with your girlfriend is new then the cat might be throwing a snit. My old cat would throw snits if I took off for long periods of time or didn't visit after I moved out.

Or she just decided that she likes it under your bed and wishes you'd stop trying to insist she sleep somewhere else. Quit being so grabby Mr. Make-everyone-sleep-where-you-want-to.

Or you fart in your sleep and she's had enough.

If I knew, I'd say something to help but I'm having my own perplexing problem because of my cat's behaviour as of late, with her obsession with sitting on my husband's computer chair when both chairs are equally available. And why she won't stay on mine when I let her sit on it.

If the thing with your girlfriend is new then the cat might be throwing a snit.

It could be simply that she's reacting to a change in routine, yes. Not that I'm an expert.

Ok, thanks.

Even when I can't help, I can at least impart with additions to your vocabulary. Swell, no?

Well, I'm not an animal behaviorist, but I have three small children so I'm close.

Let me offer some possibilities:

1) Did she recently have a bad experience at night? Was she out all night at some point? She might seek protection under the bed due to some nocturnal trauma.

2) There's a bat in the house.

3) There's a vampire in the house.

4) Is she older? The temperature change and colder nights might make her joints uncomfortable and antisocial. Check with a vet.

5) She is working on bionic opposable thumbs in her secret underbed laboratory and when she finishes, she will no longer need you to open her food containers. :eek:

6) The Underpants Gnomes frighten her.

7) She's fucking with you.

8) Something is wrong with her night vision.

I would say the most likely possibilities are 1, 4 and 8. If you can't think of a recent event that might have made her timid, you might wat to bring her to the vet to rule out the other two if her regular check-up is a long way off.

*nod*

If the thing with your girlfriend is new then the cat might be throwing a snit. My old cat would throw snits if I took off for long periods of time or didn't visit after I moved out.

Also not an expert. this might be possible... being that cats are very possessive. However, I don't thing the problem will be the bed linen but you (Wilgrove). perhaps taking a shower and changing clothes would help.

however, I would check with a vet. LG's suggestions... well lines 1, 4, and 8 also makes sense.

also, did you change what you feed her at night? that might not be agreeing with her/him.

Remember that household cats are tiny pampered predators that prefer the night for hunting. It's a natural instinct.

I can't help you that much. I like dogs.

Cats are finicky, all is well.

Not an accredited expert, but I've kept cats my entire life. I've seen it all. My guesses:

1) She's experimenting with a new sleeping arrangement. Cats do that. They get little notions in their heads and decide to try them out. Over the past 12 years, my cat has cycled through sleeping under the blankets, on top of the blankets, on top of me, on the pillow next to me, on my pillow (pushing me off), on one side of me, on the other side of me, in a totally different room from me, etc.

2) You look scary at night lunging under the bed like a big stinky ogre. That's why she hisses at you.

3) The negative reaction to change of routine thing. This is extremely common. Cats are rigid in their habits. They don't like changes to their environment because they know where everything in their territory is supposed to be. They also learn the household routine and they expect us to stick to it. They get pissed off if we come home early or late, or change meal times, or whatever. Of course, it's okay for them to make changes, but not us.

4) The girlfriend. The cat can smell her on you. It's the scent of a stranger, and it makes her nervous that maybe there's a stranger somewhere in or near the house. That could be another reason she hisses at you. She's really hissing at the strange scent.

Note: If she flat-out doesn't like your girlfriend - and you care what your cat thinks - then you might want to shower after coming home from seeing her, because the cat will not stop hissing at the scent of her.

5) As for why this is only at night -- chalk that up to cats being crazy.

6) I don't think she's sick. Real signs of cat illness would be inability to eat, inability to pass waste, excessive drinking of water, or a silent withdrawing into herself, avoidance of all physical contact, lack of response to being touched -- those last ones are signals that the cat is in pain or severely sick. Absent those, this sounds like just typical cat prima donna behavior. Give it time and see how it develops. She will likely adjust to whatever change she has sensed and create a new routine for herself.

EDIT: 7) There is a minor health possibility - she might suffer hairball problems or other digestive problems that are worse at the end of the day. You might want to give her green plant to nibble. It helps their digestion. You can buy grass seed to grow for them at any pet supply store. Parsley is also very good for them to chew on. But do not give any other kind of plant. It's very hard to tell what might be toxic to them. Either grass sold as cat snacks or parsley, that's it. Also, you might want to check if she's been nibbling any houseplants she shouldn't.

your cat is probably just being a normal cat- paranoid and retarded. Has your cat been hit in the head lately? That can really change a cats personality. It turned one of mine into a lazy pos thats afraid of doors.

does anyone know why my cat has started biting my feet? it doesn't hurt, it's just annoying...

also, why does he try to stick his nose up my nose?

does anyone know why my cat has started biting my feet? it doesn't hurt, it's just annoying... Tasty toes? seriously...
Either that or he's trying to clean them...

also, why does he try to stick his nose up my nose?to smell your breath would be my guess... either that or he's trying to kiss/scent mark you.

does anyone know why my cat has started biting my feet? it doesn't hurt, it's just annoying...

also, why does he try to stick his nose up my nose?

Stepped in anything your cat likes lately? He's probably just trying to scatch himself on your face when he does that.

does anyone know why my cat has started biting my feet? it doesn't hurt, it's just annoying...

also, why does he try to stick his nose up my nose?

Nibbling is a sign of affection.

as for the nose: My cat does the same thing. don't know why, just does.

I need some help figuring out what's wrong with my cat Amelia. BIG SNIP

Well, cats have owned me for over 40 years (remember I'm the old fart) so I have a little experience here. Therefore, I have a question and a few comments.

Is she spayed? If not that could explain her behavior. If she isn’t spayed, she wants to go out at night and meet a Tomcat that she can have kittens with. DO NOT let her out. Get her spayed. She will be pissed for a few weeks but she will get over it and become her own sweet self.

OK, if she is spayed that’s great. But, you said you have a new girlfriend and stay out late at night. You used to go to bed earlier and Amelia went to bed when you did. Now you have deserted her, and worse you have deserted her for another “smell” that she can’t define. When you come home (late) she smells that “strange scent” on you and is upset by it. So, she hides under the bed, goes to bed with your Mom whose scent she recognizes, or hides under your bed where she feels safe.

You have a couple of choices here. First choice is to bring your girlfriend home to meet Amelia. Let Amelia pet and play with her. That way Amelia will become used to your girlfriend’s scent and may not be put off by it.

A second choice is to take a bath as soon as you come home to wash off the scent of your girlfriend. If none of the above works you have the options of; dump your girlfriend, get rid of Amelia, or accept the fact that Amelia won’t sleep on your bed at night.

Best of luck.

Dr. Cat

If I knew, I'd say something to help but I'm having my own perplexing problem because of my cat's behaviour as of late, with her obsession with sitting on my husband's computer chair when both chairs are equally available. And why she won't stay on mine when I let her sit on it.

It is obvious. She likes your husband's scent more than yours. One of our cats prefers my recliner when both my recliner and my wife's recliner are vacant. Also, he spends more time with me than her. Our female cat however never gets in my recliner. She spends more time with my wife than she does me.

So, accept the fact that your cat prefers your husband.

Dr. Cat

It is obvious. She likes your husband's scent more than yours. One of our cats prefers my recliner when both my recliner and my wife's recliner are vacant. Also, he spends more time with me than her. Our female cat however never gets in my recliner. She spends more time with my wife than she does me.

So, accept the fact that your cat prefers your husband.

Dr. Cat

my cat chews on me. The other one ignores me mostly (is attached to my daughter) except about once a week he lays on my chest and tries to rub his butt on my face.......

:mad:

Cats really aren't pets. They are just these things that live in your house and eat your food.

I would give up any hope of expecting regular behavior. Anyway, trying to drag the cat out from under the bed and make it do things will only make it more grumpy, and more likely to avoid you.

does anyone know why my cat has started biting my feet? it doesn't hurt, it's just annoying...

also, why does he try to stick his nose up my nose?

A. Those are love nips AKA cat kisses. He is showing affection for your feet. :eek:
B. He is being affectionate. (You are lucky it's your nose and not a place he would stick his nose if you were another cat. :eek:)

Dr. Cat

my cat chews on me. The other one ignores me mostly (is attached to my daughter) except about once a week he lays on my chest and tries to rub his butt on my face.......

:mad:

He's just claiming you as his property. That's what they do.

Well I spent some time with Amelia, I had to dragged her out from under the bed. However, after that, I laid her down on her favorite blanket and petted her, talked to her and played with her. She seems to be better now. I think she was jealous of my girlfriend and felt like she wasn't getting the attention that she deserves.

CeltlundII is spot on

Cats don't see the way we do, they recognise each other and us by smell. You said nothing has changed but has your girlfriend got a new perfume?

Leave her be - she will probably explore under the bed until you are asleep and then climb up to investigate you.

Does it really matter if she goes under the bed?

He's just claiming you as his property. That's what they do.
how do I get him to stop?

:p

Also, they are mesmerized by the DVR it's hilarious.

my cat chews on me. The other one ignores me mostly (is attached to my daughter) except about once a week he lays on my chest and tries to rub his butt on my face.......

:mad:


Chewing on you is a sign of affection. Rubbing the butt on your face should be telling you something. Remember, he is mostly attached to someone else in the family. He is telling you where you stand in the family hierarchy.

Dr. Cat

CeltlundII is spot on

Cats don't see the way we do, they recognise each other and us by smell. You said nothing has changed but has your girlfriend got a new perfume?

Leave her be - she will probably explore under the bed until you are asleep and then climb up to investigate you.

Does it really matter if she goes under the bed?

Meh, I just like her warm body laying against mine on cold nights.

how do I get him to stop?

Never, they are like the british. They think their empire should extend to all corners of the globe.

:p

Also, they are mesmerized by the DVR it's hilarious.

Again, not dissimilar to the british.

Cats really aren't pets. They are just these things that live in your house and eat your food.

Cats are your MASTERS and they want you to keep them in the lifestyle to which they are accustomed.

Dr. Cat

how do I get him to stop?

:p

Also, they are mesmerized by the DVR it's hilarious.

Tap him gently on the tip of the nose with your index finger whenever he does that. It will hurt only his pride.

Dr. Cat

The area above your bed is haunted by a levitating ghost, but only at night. She thinks that by hiding underneath your bed, the ghost can't see her.

Meh, I just like her warm body laying against mine on cold nights.

So, get your girlfriend to lay next to you on a cold night. :D Or, move to a place that doesn't have cold nights. :eek:

I have a question for Dr. Cat.

I think another possibility would be the way that I punished her. A few nights ago, she chewed up my cell phone charger (after one day of owning it) so I punished her by showing her the damaged charger and slapping her on the head. Now whenever I raise my hand to pet her, she seems to hiss at my hand. I think this may be the real problem. How long would this normally last because it does tear my heart to see my pet act like this. I mean normally she loves being around me and isn't afraid of me at all, but now she takes a defensive pose whenever I approach her and hisses.

You struck the cat and wondering what might motivate her acting pissy?

You're lucky there isn't shit in your shoes.

In the FFMA category, I believe cats have no association with what they've done and what you're doing now, so unless you punish her while she's doing it she's not going to associate the punishment with the crime.

Ahh, so, how short are cats memory? I mean how long do you think she'll act pissy?

I have a question for Dr. Cat.

I think another possibility would be the way that I punished her. A few nights ago, she chewed up my cell phone charger (after one day of owning it) so I punished her by showing her the damaged charger and slapping her on the head. Now whenever I raise my hand to pet her, she seems to hiss at my hand. I think this may be the real problem. How long would this normally last because it does tear my heart to see my pet act like this. I mean normally she loves being around me and isn't afraid of me at all, but now she takes a defensive pose whenever I approach her and hisses.
You struck the cat and wondering what might motivate her acting pissy?

You're lucky there isn't shit in your shoes.

In the FFMA category, I believe cats have no association with what they've done and what you're doing now, so unless you punish her while she's doing it she's not going to associate the punishment with the crime.

my cat chews on me. The other one ignores me mostly (is attached to my daughter) except about once a week he lays on my chest and tries to rub his butt on my face.......

:mad: showing you his butt...

some sites say it's a sign of displeasure... others say he's offering to tell you about his day. (http://ask.metafilter.com/29010/Lookin-in-your-big-brown-eye)

how do I get him to stop?

:p

Also, they are mesmerized by the DVR it's hilarious.Try this site (http://cat.lifetips.com/cat/55839/cat-behavior/index.html) and let us know if it works.

Ahh, so, how short are cats memory? I mean how long do you think she'll act pissy?

I don't think it's a matter of short memory, it's just that they don't associate what they've done with what you're doing.

How long she'll act pissy is up to her personality. If she holds grudges, a long ass time.

Again, this is all FFMA.

You struck the cat and wondering what might motivate her acting pissy?

You're lucky there isn't shit in your shoes.

In the FFMA category, I believe cats have no association with what they've done and what you're doing now, so unless you punish her while she's doing it she's not going to associate the punishment with the crime.
Oh cats, know they are doing shit you don't want them to do - that's why they do it when you arn't looking.

Wilgrove needs a Pussy Whisperer.

Wilgrove needs a Pussy Whisperer.

In more ways than one *nods*

Oh cats, know they are doing shit you don't want them to do - that's why they do it when you arn't looking.

It's not that they don't know what they're doing, they just don't make the connection with what you showed them to why you're whopping them on the head.

To the cat it's, "Yeah, that's the chord I chewed up earlier. I was pretending it was a sn-HEY! You fucking hit me!!! What the fuck, man?"

Again, FFMA

Does your cat dislike your girlfriend? If that's the case when you come home smelling like her, the cat will avoid you and even act with hostility. The following link might be able to provide some help.

http://www.catchannel.com/behavior/default.aspx

Pics?

Ahh, so, how short are cats memory? I mean how long do you think she'll act pissy?

a cat only needs one bad incident to fix the memory in her mind.

she wont forget

you will need to convince her that you are not dangerous by being very gentle and non-threatening to her for a long time.

no more dragging her out from under the bed. dont ever hit her again. consider getting special cat treats to feed her with by hand.

Or she just feels like going under the bed. Cats are always pissing about getting dragged out of places they want to be.

It is obvious. She likes your husband's scent more than yours. One of our cats prefers my recliner when both my recliner and my wife's recliner are vacant. Also, he spends more time with me than her. Our female cat however never gets in my recliner. She spends more time with my wife than she does me.

So, accept the fact that your cat prefers your husband.

Dr. Cat

She prefers his smell but begs me for attention. :p

I have a question for Dr. Cat.

I think another possibility would be the way that I punished her. A few nights ago, she chewed up my cell phone charger (after one day of owning it) so I punished her by showing her the damaged charger and slapping her on the head. Now whenever I raise my hand to pet her, she seems to hiss at my hand. I think this may be the real problem. How long would this normally last because it does tear my heart to see my pet act like this. I mean normally she loves being around me and isn't afraid of me at all, but now she takes a defensive pose whenever I approach her and hisses.

Cats aren't like dogs. Neither are they like small children. The only thing she is relating to is the swat. If you had caught her in the act and squirted her that would have been effective. All you've done is piss her off. Don't ever hit her again, be sweet and patient and she may forgive you. A squirt bottle is the best feline behavior modification device available - she will see the water coming from the bottle and associate the discomfort with the bottle and not you.

It would pay to have a spare or two. I came back from vacation once and found that the cats had "killed" the bottle - it was full of bite and claw marks and leaked like a sieve.

I have a question for Dr. Cat.

I think another possibility would be the way that I punished her. A few nights ago, she chewed up my cell phone charger (after one day of owning it) so I punished her by showing her the damaged charger and slapping her on the head. Now whenever I raise my hand to pet her, she seems to hiss at my hand. I think this may be the real problem. How long would this normally last because it does tear my heart to see my pet act like this. I mean normally she loves being around me and isn't afraid of me at all, but now she takes a defensive pose whenever I approach her and hisses.

Never, ever hit. She did not understand why you hit her. She thought you were going to pet her but instead you hurt her and she doesn't know why. It will be a very long time before you will earn her trust again.

Dr. Cat

I need some help figuring out what's wrong with my cat Amelia. These past few nights, she would hide under my bed and if I tried to pull her out and put her on my bed, she would hiss at me and then run back under. However, this only occurs at night, during the day she's a sweetheart and is her normal self, Hell this morning she was on my bed under my top layer of blanket. However, at night for some odd reason she either wants to sleep on my mom's bed or stay under mine, but not get on it. Right now I think that she doesn't like the smell of my bed, so I'm having my sheets, pillow case and blankets washed to see if that helps thing. All in all, nothing really changed except that (except for today) every Saturday I'm with my girlfriend all day and don't come home till like midnight. It's a little perplexing because during the day she likes to be on my bed, but at night she hisses at me if she's put on my bed. Any ideas anyone?
She's trying to hibernate over the winter :)

You can always hiss back at her, that always shuts up my cat when she hisses at me.

You can always hiss back at her, that always shuts up my cat when she hisses at me.

you sure that's not your breath that's stopping her? :p

Any odd (new to the cat most likely) sounds or scents in the house or nearby outside that might spook her? And if she likes it under the bed, why not let her be there? I'd love it if a cat made its den under my bed (instead of on top of me as is their habit).

Never, ever hit. She did not understand why you hit her. She thought you were going to pet her but instead you hurt her and she doesn't know why. It will be a very long time before you will earn her trust again.

Ahhh, 110% agreed there... physical punishment is not the cat way. If she's done something REALLY bad, the punishment must come immediately after the fact (you have to catch her at it), and at most I would suggest taking a grip of the loose skin at the back of her neck (ONLY to keep her in place, NOT to lift her up!) and then hissing at her.

Also saying "NO" and "BAD [insert name here]" in a disapproving tone will help. Our cat (may he rest in peace in kitty heaven :() most certainly knew when he'd done something bad just from the tone of our voice.

I came back from vacation once and found that the cats had "killed" the bottle - it was full of bite and claw marks and leaked like a sieve.

LOL, we had a similar experience back when our cat was alive... and he'd also dragged the 'remains' to the furthest corner under the sofa, possibly to make sure it stayed dead. :D

I have a question for Dr. Cat.

I think another possibility would be the way that I punished her. A few nights ago, she chewed up my cell phone charger (after one day of owning it) so I punished her by showing her the damaged charger and slapping her on the head. Now whenever I raise my hand to pet her, she seems to hiss at my hand. I think this may be the real problem. How long would this normally last because it does tear my heart to see my pet act like this. I mean normally she loves being around me and isn't afraid of me at all, but now she takes a defensive pose whenever I approach her and hisses.

Oh, you hit her on the head. That explains it then. As someone else said, cats are not dogs. You can't "rub her nose in it." Cats don't learn like that. She now associates your hand coming towards her head with what seemed to her like an unprovoked attack. It probably freaks her out more when she's in a small place (under the bed), and you're reaching in to get her, because all she sees is the hand that attacked her.

To win her trust back, you're going to have to leave her strictly alone when she's under the bed. Under no circumstances should you make a frontal approach to touch her head, under the bed or not. Instead, when she lets you pet her, keep your hand at her back or side. Also, let her approach you, instead of the other way around. If she shows interest, keep your hand still and passive, and let her sniff it or rub her face on it, if she likes. It might take some time for her to stop feeling threatened, but she will let you know when she has gotten over it.

As someone remarked to me in the pet store today ...

"Ferrets are like kittens that never grow up and turn into ... cats."
Sorta.
Worth it anyways :)

you sure that's not your breath that's stopping her? :p
Potato, potahto.

Well I think we're making progress. She allows me to pet her and cuddle her outside the bedroom, and at night she does sleep with me, but that's after she makes sure that I'm asleep.

She is lulling you into a false sense of security. Soon, her plan for revenge will come to sweet fruition...

She is lulling you into a false sense of security. Soon, her plan for revenge will come to sweet fruition...

Spoken, truly, as one with cat experience.
*nods*