can someone help me with Louise?

[marysmerrycats]

Lately Louise has been pestering me, she is driving me nuts, she is the one that is still, after a year with me, does not like to be touched or held. (while her littermate Emma is the exact opposite)but she will sleep next to my legs sometimes, and wants to be close to me, and is now pestering me to play with her, but she is hard to play with... I have a cat tunnel, and she likes me to wave the feather stick on one end, while she is on the other end then she runs and attacks it, but this always brings the other cats, then she leaves. it just seems like she wants my constant attention, but will not do much when I try to play with her. same with canned food, she runs to a certain room and meows when she is hungry for canned food. so I open a can, feed them all, and most of the time she leaves half of hers!

what can I do with her? is there still a way for me to get her more socialized? the last few days , her meowing is really getting to me.

[marysmerrycats]

just to add a note, it's kind of like she wants the attention from me or affection, but is still scared of being held or petted.

Emma really cheered me up earlier, I had taken a nap, and when she heard that I was up, she ran real fast over to me, wanting to be petted! she is always doing that, it's so cute! shes like my little shadow!

[NoahsMommy]

I would suggest taking Louise into a separate room with the tunnel and playing with her alone.

Maybe that'll make her feel more special?

[PayItForward]

I don't have any advice but all the best with socializing Lousie

[marysmerrycats]

Kelly
thats a good idea, why didn't I think of that?!
thanks, I'm going to try that today, will let you know what happens.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I would suggest the separate room also. It sounds like she wants your attention, but doesn't want the other cats there when she's getting it. When she wants the canned food, give that to in a separate room also. Try opening the can and giving everyone some, then taking her and her food into a separate room. Stay there while she eats it and then try playing with her.

I think some one on one attention where the others aren't able to intrude will probably bring about a different Louise.

Good luck and please let us know how things go.

[L. Wayne]

Mary, my Amy cat does the exact same thing. Sometimes I think she would be better off as an only cat. Although I can pick her up, she still squirms and will inadvertantly claw me if I am not careful. Yet, when I let her outside for a while, then when she is ready to come back in, she will allow me to pick her up. Amy does not share food or space with any of the other 11 furkids. If I feed her, she will eat, but only if she is left alone. She will eat with Tiger.

It is just the personality of the cat. I believe that they will mellow out later, but for now we just have to learn to live with it.

......Wayne

[jenluckenbach]

Louise also sounds like my Fern. She would also probably prefer to be an only cat, but she manages to get her play time in during the 2 daily feedings when all the other cats are in lock-up. So my suggestion is, try to relate to her on her terms. The separate rooms for play time is a fantastic idea. If she does not like to be touched or held try to find out what she DOES like and work with that. Fern was afraid of being touch, but as it turns out she really CRAVES petting, but is still unsure about it at the same time. Slow movements and short sessions are good. And don't always try to approach her. I made specific points to NOT approach Fern, so she could learn to trust me. Keep in mind that time is your friend. I have had Fern 6 years and the picture I posted recently with her in my lap is the FIRST one of its kind. It has taken that long. Good luck.

[batgirl1980]

Definetely try playing with her in her own room. I have to do that with Eliza, because otherwise
a) the boys will come in and take over
or
b)she will keep LOOKING for the boys to come in until they do..

if i have her in her own room and we play with what SHE likes (which currently is only yarn and string lol), then she is fine, because she realizes she can be as CRAZY as she wants, and the boys won't go "oh my, she's weird" lol. Not that they would anyway, but i tell you, I think she's stuck to her name of QUEEN Elizabeth... thinking that if another cat is anywhere near she must act proper and not play!

As for can food.. Eliza likes dry.. and the only can she'll eat is the kitty tuna or kitty tuna and eggs ( 9 lives so far only ).. and even that I've learned that she still only wants a small amount, and then prefers the rest dry...

Poor girl, when she was with my husbands parents, they never played with her, and gave her can food daily in all flavors.. and would leave it there next to her dry for a whole day, and wondered why she never ate it. I think that's also why I have problems with her liking too many toys.. she's not used to them!

Just take the time and learn what Louise likes and doesn't, and you'll be fine. Eliza comes up and meows at me too when she wants loving, or playin or eatin lol, sounds like she and louise should be best kitty buddies!

I also took Maya alone when I found out she was a bit jalous of her new sister(she was pooping in a corner of the living room!). After doing this a few times, all problems were over! So, success!!