A question for the cat owners
We got a call from the facility manager on Weds night. She said that Cleo has been hissing at the staff. I've been over there twice in the last week and didn't see any of that kind of behavior. Tim went over yesterday and also didn't see any hostile behavior. So, what's with the hissing? I'll be honest, I don't know anything about cats. I don't even like cats, but this cat is "family" so we need to figure this out. Maybe she doesn't like the staff? I'm wondering if there are staff members that don't like dealing with a cat and are just trying to get rid of her? Maybe she's not well? I have an appointment to take her to the vet this afternoon, but other than the hissing stories I don't have anything to help diagnose her. Jeane insists the cat is "fine", but Jeane also insists that she is "fine" and that isn't true either. If anyone has advice I'd really appreciate it. I know Jeane loves her cat but she needs care and if the cat becomes a serious matter of contention, the staff will win. |
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| Could there be new people on the staff? Maybe they tried to pet her or bothered her in some way and now she's defending her territory. She might not be feeling well. Cats are soooo weird anyways. It may just be a different person has been around, or maybe she's in a bad mood. Good luck! |
| Something has changed that now bothers Cleo. First thing I would do is get Cleo to a veterinarian to make sure that she is ok.
Then check with the facility manager to see if she is still hissing at the staff. Another thing you might want to try is something like Feliway Comfort Zone which is supposed to ease stress in cats. Good Luck Jennifer, Baxter, Cassiopia, Abby....and all the cats |
It's a CAT. Tell that staff to man up. Bring Bailey next time and let him have at the place for awhile and they'll be glad to have that hissing cat back.  |
ButtersStotch wrote: It's a CAT. Tell that staff to man up. Bring Bailey next time and let him have at the place for awhile and they'll be glad to have that hissing cat back.
hahaha....one added thing....dont forget baileys water bowl too! |
At least the cat isn't peeing on anyone while they are trying to sleep! 
I think the vet is a good first step. But I agree with jill 
And cats definitely are weird, so it's hard to understand why they do anything...  |
| Nice that Jeane is living in a place that allows cats! I wish there were more places like that.
When a cat is afraid, its normal reaction is to run away and hide. If it can't do that, it's next reaction is to hiss. Hissing is an expression of fear - and is a cat's way of trying to scare off its attacker (by sounding like a snake, or so the theory goes). So, unless there's something physically wrong with Cleo - it sounds to me like she's afraid and is hissing out of fear or anxiety. Someone may have been a bit threatening to her (easy to do, since all you have to do to be threatening to a cat is to stare directly at). I'd suggest that the staff completely ignore Cleo - no touch and no eye contact ever, don't even look in her direction. Also, if Cleo has catnip toys or treats, you might want to hold back on those - catnip can make cats really "trip out". If Jeane could play with her more (other than with catnip toys) that would help. Just like dogs, a tired cat is a well behaved cat. Good luck! |
maf wrote: Nice that Jeane is living in a place that allows cats! I wish there were more places like that. Dogs too  maf wrote: If Jeane could play with her more (other than with catnip toys) that would help. Just like dogs, a tired cat is a well behaved cat. That may be part of the problem. Jeane wound up in the hospital about a month ago and hasn't gotten her strength back. So she probably doesn't play with Cleo as much as she used to. ButtersStotch wrote: It's a CAT. Tell that staff to man up.
My thought exactly! |
| Hi Sue,
If the cat is truly upset and hissing at the staff I would suggest the followng: Purchase a wire crate with enough room for a litter pan, some room for the cat to stretch out and food and water bowls. Put it where the "action" is. Do not put anything else in the crate that the cat can hide in. Tell everyone for the first week just to go about their normal business and ignore the cat in the crate. The cat will probably be having the equivalent of a feline nervous breakdown. After the first week tell the staff to talk to the cat. The following week they can try to pet the cat through the cage. It will take at least a month, but at some point the cat will no longer be upset at all of the noise and action and will be acclimated to its environment. Do not let the cat out of the cage during this time for any reason. You will just end up back at square one. I have bred and shown Himalayan cats forever and 13 years ago was asked to rescue a very abused Abyssinian cat (he had been burned from the tops of his ears to the tip of his tailed by someone with a cigarette. I flew from NY to LAX to get him and made the mistake of letting him out of the cat carrier in his isolation room when I got home. I did not see him for a month. I talked with my vet and a feline behaviorist and this is how we decided to handle the situation. It took about six weeks, but he slowly became used to the noises and people in my house. Today his is a very outgoing and friendly feline. The only thing you can not do with him is pick him up. He will freely come to you for attention, but do not attemtp to pick him up. He will flee. Good luck and if you need further help please PM me. Kathie |
| Cats have longterm memory for horrible people, once someone is nasty to a cat they don't tend to relax around that person - that is how it has been with our cats. |
| Kathy, that's very interesting. I've had cats all my life and think I'm pretty good with them, but there are still LOTS of things I do not understand about them. I consider their mysteries part of their charm. But, I do enjoy learning about their behavioural excentricities and how to deal with them.
Good luck, Sue. I am sure your MIL prefers her cat to the staff there.  |
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