New Member

Posts: 1
From:Spanish Fork UT USA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-17-2003 10:58 AM         

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My wife and I have a cat that we've since she was a kitten, she is now about a year and a half old. She is very friendly and loving to us, the problem is if anyone else comes into the house she gets mean.
She will hide for the first few minutes then sometimes come out, she'll sniff them then start hissing and will swat at them. Even after they leave she won't let my wife and I near her for a little while. We thought that after we had her spayed it would help her temperment but it didn't change.
Is there anything we can do to help her get over her fear of people or is it just her personality?

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Member

Posts: 97
From:usa
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-17-2003 11:26 AM         

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My cat cali is alot like that. Shes about 5 yrs old and shes always been really mean to outsiders. She will hiss, bite, and scratch anyone she doesnt like. Shes actually a really good cat so ive always takin it as shes a one person cat. I have tryed to get her out of it and ive came to the thought she might just be trying to protect her human. Your may just be trying to protect her family. I do know that cali doesnt hide from me after they leave so maybe yours just gets upset that you are letting the unknown in. good luck with trying to get her to calm down a bit. LOL

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~*T*~

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Member

Posts: 173
From:Murfreesboro, Tn, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-17-2003 01:39 PM         

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Jack does the same thing (besides the hiding thing after they leave). Jack was a street cat that i got when he was about nine months old. Maybe that has something to do with it. Was your cat a street kitten!?! He is really loving when he is not hissing at other people and trying to run away!! I hope that he changes too, but at the same time I think its kinda neat that he tries to "protect" his family. but everyone knows about his attutide problem before they come in my house! and if little kids come in (he HATES little kids) he is put in his special room.

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 11-17-2003 06:47 PM         

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I have 2 scardy cats. I got Hoggle as a kitten and I think he was still too young to be away from his mother at the time. He has always been very fearful and when visitors come over he disapears and does'nt come out until about 30 minutes after they've left. He never hisses or scratches anyone...he just hides. I've often wondered if the lack of socialization that he would have learned from his mother is to blame. My other scardy cat, Rhiannon is about 90% blind (I beleive she was born this way.) according to the vet...so she is extra fearful of noises and strange people despite the variety of strangers I introduced her to while she was growing up and I think this is due to her not being able to see well. She is even afraid when I walk past her..she takes off running but will come back if I start talking to her.
Hoggle loves catnip so Im going to try having my mother or sister come over and offer him some. Maybe if he learns that strangers offer wonderful gifts...it will help him get over his fear.
If you can find something that your fear-aggressive cat feels stronger about than her fear something like this may work for you as well.

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Vanessa

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