Nervous cat

[In_love_with_cats]

Hello petlovers

Alltogether I have three cats, two males and one female. My female tortie is very nervous around people and sometimes her owners. We got as a kittens from my shelter; she was only 2mos and they said she was foster care. She wasn't like this when she was a kitten until she got older. Sabrina was very friendly girl, not afraid of any thing. She won't let me pick her up if she is laying on the floor, only if she is on the bed. She growls at the door when ever some knocks on the door and when the mailman is in the hallway. She doesn't like being brushed, doesn't like us kissing her face, only if she in the mood. When we pick her up; she tends to meow until we let her down. I wish she wasn't like this, do you think she will change as she gets older, she will be 2yrs old this July. Sabrina wasn't like this when we just had Joey until we got Toby her behaviour change. Does anyone have this problem with their cat? Is their anything I can do to help her? Please let me know.Thanks very much.

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[batgirl1980]

Hmm. you say she wasn't like this before.. is it possible that maybe a visitor to your place did something that scared her?
In my opinion (and I could be wrong) i don't think that sort of behavior is because of either of your two boys..because it's more of a people phobia, not a cat phobia.

I have 2 boys and a girl as well.. And Eliza, my girl, is the same way, but because she was ignored when she was younger by my in-laws and whomever had her before they did.

It's taken a lot of time to get her accustomed to me, she is slowly allowing herself to be picked up, and is slowly learning that my husband and I aren't going to get rid of her like her past parents did. She is still scared of strangers, maybe she thinks that she'll be leaving again...

I would however, take her to the vet to make sure that everything is ok with her, maybe she's just sensitive to the touch (i know Eliza and Bach are real sensitive on their backs, and will bite me if i brush there..) Once that comes back ok, and i'm sure it will... the only advice I have is to take it slow, and on her terms, and get lots of whatever treats she likes best.. and catnip.. and slowly she will realize again that you aren't the bad guy, but a great place to get lots of attention!

[jenluckenbach]

It's called "Tortie-tude". She just grew into it.

[IttyBittyKitty]

I have had three torties over my lifetime and they have all been skittish! And yes, they have all had "tortitude", big time!

However, it does sound that something traumatic has happened to your cat since arriving at her new home (else she would have been as skittish and frightened as a kitten). It could have been a visitor (as suggested above) or something of that nature. Bastet's Mum has a post in Cat Behaviour about her kitty who is coping with anxiety following being mistreated during a robbery. Some of the suggestions in that thread are quite good and may be of benefit to your kitty.

Aside from that, be sure to give her lots of pats and treats (and cuddles if she will bear it). Also, watch any visitors that come to your house around your cat.

Good luck, and be sure to keep us updated. Also, some pics of all your furkids would be good too

[PayItForward]

I have had three torties over my lifetime and they have all been skittish! And yes, they have all had "tortitude", big time!

Our RB family cat Lindy, was very mellow friendly kitty but our little girl Milly (though she was very affectionate at the shelter) is very jumpy. (Both torties)

Milly has calmed down since Milo has been in the house but she will still only accept limited affection on her terms. Though she is determined to be the boss cat in our home.

It really lightens my heart when she jumps up and sits next to me and as long as she is happy, I'm happy. She likes cuddles when we are in bed, we must look less threatening when we lie down. She jumps a mile if you touch her and she wasn't expecting it.

Is this tortie attitude ?

[Denyce]

My tortie Katiebug has so much tortie tude there are times I just don't know what to do with her. She is the most outgoing of the bunch...which is odd because she was feral and wasn't handled till she was 6 months old. However, whenever anyone comes in the house she is right there....checking them out, trying to be the center of attention with belly ups and wriggles and all over cuteness. She excels in cuteness. But she won't let ANYONE but me approach her. Not even my mom or husband whom she lives with. If you squat down and call her with your fingers outstretched she will cautiously approach you. But make one move towards her and she is gone like a streak. But if you sit on her favorite sofa she will come up on your lap...anyone...even someone she has hardly met...and if they are lucky she will even bestow nose licks.

She is also the most aggressive and loud out of my four. She is always getting in the other cats faces and yelling at them and getting into sparring matches. Which is rather funny because her legs are so short. When she and Deirdre get into one Deirdre just holds one paw out and puts it on the top of Katies head while Katie is swinging away with both paws just hitting air and screaming at the top of her lungs.

Denyce