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Old January 19th, 2010, 12:07 AM
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How common is it for cats to turn on their owners?

I've seen a change in Gizzy the last week. One day he is perfectly fine, shoves his head into your hand, screaming at me to pet him and then the next couple days he is hissing and running away from me.

Lately, he's been hiding in his sub box. Today he stayed in there most of the day. I pet him a couple times then went on about my day. About an hour ago, I was about to walk past him but I saw his claw dug into the carpeting of the box. I don't usually mind, but it looked like he was stuck, so I tried to remove it and he hisses at me! I blew in his face so I wouldn't get very mad and he did it again. I start raising my voice telling him to stop the hissing and bf comes out and asks what's going on. I explain I didn't do anything differently then what I normally do like when he claws the couch and I proceed to lift his paw off. Then bf tries to pet him to calm him down and Gizzy hisses at him too! That pissed bf off a bit. Then Gizzy got out and ran away. And when bf calmed down he was able to pick up Gizzy and talk to him calmly. He tried to get me to pet him but I didn't feel comfortable.

I've read the thread about Willy and I'm wondering if he's got a brain tumor that's causing these cujo lapses. Bf thinks he's doing what Forest does when sleeping; a nightmare of sorts where he forgets where he is and hisses, only Forest bites the bed he lays on.

He doesn't have the normal signs of having a tumor. So any insight would be great...
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Old January 19th, 2010, 03:16 AM
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Whenever a cat's behaviour changes it quite often is because of a medical issue. Hiding all day and hissing at you are two red flags imo and I would make an appt to take Gizzy to the vet for a complete examination.
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Old January 19th, 2010, 04:58 AM
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Not necessaraily a brain tumor either. May be something is causing him pain, and touching him made it hurt. Even if you didn't touch the exact spot making him move could have jarred something sore. Cats are known to get abcesses fairly easily with tiny cuts that can be hard to find, and he and Forest have been arguing. Maybe he got clawed somewhere, just a little, and it is now sore? A vet is still a good idea, it could be something serious and if not they can reassure you that things are all right.
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Old January 19th, 2010, 09:13 AM
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I agree, he may be feeling ill and wants you to leave him alone. A visit to the vet would be a good idea.
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Old January 19th, 2010, 12:34 PM
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I wouldn't jump to brain tumor right away. Hiding in his box for most of the day when he doesn't normally is a "red flag" that something's not right. He should be checked out by your vet, and maybe his spraying has some medical reason as well.

Blowing in his face for hissing only antagonized him further; most cats hate that. Raising your voice definitely won't calm a cat. I wouldn't use blowing in his face as a disciplinary measure for anything. He was upset his claw was caught. Better would have been a soothing, sympathic voice. "Aw Gizzy, got your claw caught? Here, let mommy help you" while you unhooked his claw, and ignored his hissing, then give him a pat and say "Poor baby". Claws should be clipped every 3 weeks, so this doesn't happen again.

Because Gizzy's been spraying again, and you're upset about it, he may be feeling grumpy anyway. It's sounds like he's starving for attention "shoves his head into your hand" and "screaming at me to pet him". The "pet him a couple of times and then go about my day" aren't enough for Gizzy. Are you withholding affection from him because you're angry at his spraying and now hissing? Maybe he's reacting to feeling neglected? I think you should give him good quality one-on-one time----spend at least a good 15 mins./day just playing with him, with a teaser toy, dragging a cord around for him, throwing toys for him (does he retrieve?), grooming him once a day (if he enjoys it), give him lots of petting, chin and cheek rubs and kisses and "good boys". Right now Gizzy's not a happy camper for whatever reason...yes something's changed.
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Old January 19th, 2010, 03:26 PM
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Thanks for all the replies!

When it was time to feed them dinner, Forest ate. But when I brought it to Gizzy he wouldn't eat, even when I set it on the floor and walked away. I had to lure him out by petting him. Then he ate and I made the signal for him to come over and he did then shoved his head in my hand again and then fell on the floor to get a belly rub. I also played with him with a teaser toy. When I throw toys for him, he plays soccer with them, but never brings it back to me, wish I knew how to teach him that.

I have been withholding affection lately because of the hissing and not knowing if a claw or bite would accompany it. And him being a cat that likes things on his own terms I figured I'd let him come on his own. The spraying has been stressing me out too, so that's probably the last thing he needs. I blew in his face cuz it calms my temper down so I don't do anything like tapping his nose. I will have to learn to walk away now. Thanks for the tip!

So I got up today and Gizzy was laying on my bf's computer chair, I pet him and he meowed. I found a bit of throw up so while I cleaned it up, Gizzy got down and ran near the cat tree. I sat down on the couch and he went into his box again and has been there ever since. Usually when bf comes home, he will immediately jump out and screamed at him to be pet and follow him around until he gives in to give him loving.

I think I will take him in to the vet, just to make sure everything is ok and see if the spraying is medically related.
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Old January 19th, 2010, 04:01 PM
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OK, how I see the situation is that Gizzy is viewing you as "the heavy", the one who disciplines him, gets mad and frustated at him, etc. Usually it is the gal of the house that gets to do all the nasty things---clipping claws, giving pills, cleaning the litter boxes, disciplining, and our bf or hubbies get off with just doing the loving. So that's why Gizzy's running to your bf when he comes home. Gizzy feels you've been a little too heavy handed and not giving him enough loving attention lately. Yes, it's hard being "the heavy" and my hubby doesn't do any of the nasty things either. Our neuter adores my hubby, and yet if he's sitting on his lap and I leave the room, he'll get off and follow me to see what mummy's doing. Sometimes he gets off hubby's lap and then I've got two on my lap while we watch TV! You really have to give extra attention and loving to counteract the nasty things, then you'll get the loving attention from Gizzy you want.

I know what Bengal cats look like, but I don't really know their personality other than what I've read on breeder's websites, that they're "very intelligent, demanding, active, playful, willfull, agile, very vocal, need lots of attention and stimulation." You must respect that back only a few generations is the wild Asian Leopard Cat in his genes, so you don't want to do anything to antagonize him and bring that out! So this is a cat that craves attention and wants stimulation. Change his toys around so he doesn't get bored. Put out an empty bag. Cats have preferences for certain toys...my girl likes the stuffed mice, my boy likes any kind of little wires or spirals, some like foil or paper balls.

Let us know what the vet says.
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Old January 19th, 2010, 05:49 PM
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I have low patience levels and I think I get frustrated easily cuz I want him to be a normal cat already. But his skittishness is not completely gone so that is a factor I need to concentrate on. And it's hard to give him lots of attention when he runs away b/c of his skittishness. Even last night, when I was trying to call him over, he was dancing around the coffee table so I couldn;t get close. It's like he forgets who I am sometimes and he needs to smell me a few times to remember who I am.

I'm usually the one that gets mad more, but the bf does the nail clippings, cleans the litter, gives pills when needed, and sometimes does the punishing if they do something that pisses him off.

Although I was told he is a Bengal, b/c I don't have papers, I feel I may have been duped. And his skitteshness did seem feral when we first got him so I really have no idea what he could be. My vet said they'd never seen a Bengal the way he looks but I think I was in denial back then. But he does display a lot of the Bengal qualities especially the high pitched meow, all black paws, the black linings around his eyes and lips, the highlights around his eyes and very soft fur. I dunno maybe he is one of the undesired Bengals with the bullseye pattern and that's why most ppl just think he's a tabby.

very intelligent - yes, he learns things very quickly, especially if treats are involved
demanding - to be pet and fed, screaming his head off to hurry up
active - moreso at night when mischief is to be had
playful - loves da bird
willfull - loves the counter and standing up on the coffee table even when I'm right there to tell him no, before he does something that he knows he's not supposed to do he will look around to see if i'm watching ( this is why I want an Ocicat, they don't like being scolded and they listen to you )
agile - can jump very high and do somersaults in the air while chasing the right toy
very vocal - yes
need lots of attention - usually only on his terms, but if you try to lure it out of him and get him into the rhythm then he can get demanding again
stimulation - can't pet him too much cuz his tail starts flipping, and I'm kinda lazy on switching up the toys cuz I have no out-of-reach places to hide them, so stimulation is probably low on the scale, but I do play with him when I can.

He does love empty boxes but that would just be another thing for him to spray cuz Forest would want to go in it too.

The vet trip will probably be this weekend when we have the funds and time.

Last edited by dollface; January 19th, 2010 at 06:12 PM.
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Old January 19th, 2010, 11:28 PM
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Kudos for your bf for clipping nails, pilling and cleaning the litter boxes....he's a keeper!
From your list, he certainly sounds like he's a Bengal. I think this is Gizzy's "normal behaviour". I know a Bengal wouldn't suit my style. If as you say you have "low patience" and "get frustrated easily", maybe you need a laid-back Persian, or if you don't like a a lot of grooming the shorthaired version called an Exotic Shorthair or some call it the Lazy Man's Persian.
http://www.cfa.org/breeds/profiles/exotic.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exotic_Shorthair
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Old January 20th, 2010, 04:48 PM
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I don't know how he does it, he says it doesn't bother him at all, whereas I get totally nervous and shaky lol

When I was researching, I read everything I could and knew their activity level was high, but I guess I didn't realize how much until I actually had one. He's pretty much calmed down now since he's been fixed, not as much bouncing off the walls, but he was funnier than most shows we watched on TV those first couple of weeks lol.

I think I'm more frustrated that he's not as socialized as I'd like him to be. Especially for a first cat of mine. But we live and learn .

Never been a fan of the Persian type cats.

I think an energetic cat may prepare me for the non-fur kids, what do you think?
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Old January 21st, 2010, 01:32 AM
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He's been pretty much back to his old self. I've been paying more attention to him. Petting him and getting him to come out of his box to play and lay beside the couch I usually sit on. No hissing except for when my bf cut his nails tonight and one whimper lol. No spraying the last couple days either but I have been spraying the water/vinegar/hydrogen peroxide solution everywhere and have aluminum foil everywhere!

I will still take him to the vet just to make sure the spraying isn't a medical problem and maybe he's got a cut from Forest. Will update asap
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Old January 21st, 2010, 10:46 AM
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Your question: "I think an energetic cat may prepare me for the non-fur kids, what do you think? " Absolutely, especially if you have boys!

Thanks for the update, that's good news that he's getting "back to his old self". Yes, I really think he was feeling your wrath and feeling deprived of your affection. For some reason, all my cats and the many kittens I raised, just loved it when I lay down on the floor especially or sat on the floor and dragged a cord, ribbon, or heavy string or some such thing around and over me. There's something about getting down to their level that they loved being able to chase something jumping on me and going round and round, or going through your lap if your sitting on the floor. Try it and see if Gizzy will like that. It really does make them trust you, and I think Gizzy needs to feel more trust to you, as lately I don't think he's too sure.
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Old January 21st, 2010, 02:31 PM
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Well I've been told I may have boys if bf ever pops the question On both sides of my family it's all girls and 1 boy in the cousins and his family is all boys and 2 girls in the cousins It's like we both have a family curse so maybe we'll have both lol

That's a great idea catlover2! I did buy a big ball of lavender yarn last year and he loves it when I drag it around. The only part that concerns me is that he's very rough when he plays with stuff like that, his nails are always coming out and always trying to stab it. And I think he hates his nails short cuz no matter how many times you cut his they are always like razors. Maybe if I wrapped a couple thick blankets around me I can do what you're suggesting
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Old January 22nd, 2010, 11:22 AM
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If you put two or three or more really thick blankets over you, you might be able to get him to chase the hand/foot moving around under the covers. All my cats love this game. WARNING: Top blanket MUST be one you don't mind seeing snagged, shredded, and torn.
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Old January 22nd, 2010, 03:29 PM
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You know those really big/thick blankets you can buy at ribfests, fairs, and the flea market? We have 2 of those (one on our bed and the other on the couch) and when Gizzy gets on the bed and one of us is still sleeping, don't you dare move your feet! but as long as your feet are under the comforter and the thick blanket he can't get you with his nails lol

But I can try this out in the living room when he wants to play!
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