Scardey cat - new

[Minnesota_Sue]

Our cat (he is one year old) has all of a sudden become a scardey cat. The phone ringing makes him run to hide. He hides under the bed a lot. He is still affecionate but mostly on his terms. He keeps sniffing the air almost like he either sees a ghost or like another animal is in the house. I don't know what to make of this behaviour. He wouldn't even eat his treats, and didn't eat very much of his food. How do we get the normal cat back?

The only thing that i can contribute it to is that he was particularly naughty the other night and day, constantly jumping up on our dresser, so he got sprayed with water more than normal. This hasn't stopped him from jumping on the dresser either. So we haven't sprayed him at all today or the end of yesterday.

[Taffygirl62]

I had a kitten once who would jump on the furniture and get into things and I sprayed at him too when he did a bad habit and when I sprayed him I always said "NO" to him. I would keep up with this spraying as once the cat gets older he won't listen to the spray anymore. If you want him to stop then keep up with the spraying and firmly say NO to him. Keep doing it until he never does it again. You must be firm with him if you want to behave properly in your household. Discipline is very essential with kittens as they are young and will learn quickly.

I have gotten cats who were a year old and it is very hard to get them out of their bad habits as it does take longer to do. I finally did it but its more work. Good luck.