Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: James on March 28, 2009, 08:58:44 AM
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I do follow alot of the threads on here - just don't feel qualilfied to comment! :scared:
I just ask lots of obvious q's, to get your opinions! ;)
I've started seeing a new girl/lady (i'm 35) Jack was obviously nervous of her to start with - but is growing in confidence (except when she 'clomps' around in her boots - which I get her to take off! (She's not round all the time)
The thing is, that even when she's gone - Jack doesn't seem himself - quite 'jumpy' (he even ran away when I went to stroke him the other day! V odd, for him!!) He seems to be isolating much more - he has been like my shadow; now he spends more time in the other room on his own(?) This has only started since i've started seeing this girl (she likes cats etc...) I've only had Jack 2 (ish) months. Any reasoning/thoughts?? Jealous? >:( Worried :( He's not even as keen to play.... Is this normal/how do I reassure him? :thanks:
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James, Jack's probably just getting used to the change in set up. He's used to having you to himself and now he hasn't. I find bribery works extremely well with my lot.... if you know his favourite treats, both you and the missus try and have a couple in your pockets. When he comes to either of you, reward him with one treat. (Don't get carried away and give him loads; that's really easy to do and your cats end up a little "too loved!" ;))
Another thing to do is invest in interactive toys like Da Bird from the shop and try and put aside a little bit of time each day for play time. Both you and the missus can get involved in this and that should get him used to her too.
Good luck!
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Good advise from JS there.
It can take time and it depends how nervous Jack is anyway. He will get use to your girlfriend in time the same was as he will get use to other people coming in the house but again its time and you muct allow for Jacks personality as he may never really like anyone other than his daddy. Make sure he gets daily interaction from you which I am sure he will. :hug:
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I had a budgie that would bomb drive my boyfreind at the time, and when I split with him he done it to the next :evillaugh: sorry no help there lol
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I had a budgie that would bomb drive my boyfreind at the time, and when I split with him he done it to the next :evillaugh: sorry no help there lol
:evillaugh:
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perhaps he would have been less clingy anyway by now - he's learning that you and his new home are not going to disappear so he doesn't need the constant reassurance of your presence anymore
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I did wonder about that, Trigger. Maybe he just feels able to be a little less needy now.
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perhaps he would have been less clingy anyway by now - he's learning that you and his new home are not going to disappear so he doesn't need the constant reassurance of your presence anymore
Thanks guys (good info from all, big thanks to 'Jacksprat' - good info)
I was actually starting to think the above myself!!
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Quick update. I had a 'client' (work in social care) around the flat - I made it clear that Jack needed left alone/ignored. Jack didn't seem bothered at all. This fits in well with the info 'Tan' gives about behaviour/ettiquete. The girl i'm seeing tries to make a fuss of him - I thnk if stranger came up to me and started 'hassling' me - I would quickly tell them where to go... :P
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Yep, the best way to get a cat interested is to show no interest in them whatsoever...... generally if housework is needing to be done on our house, that's when I seem to become popular. :tired: Contrary bunch, but I love 'em!
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I always worry what my next bf will think of me having 2 cats.....i read somewhere men are put of women who have more than one cat....I never trust anyone who doesnt like animals anyway lol.
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I read in cosmopolitan (I was at the hairdressers I didn't buy it!!) that 25% of men wouldn't date a woman with more than 1 cat - don't know what they are missing!!!!
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I made it quite clear that we came as a package on our first date when I had to go home first to check the cats were ok and we ended up having Chinese delivered and the cats shared it with us ;D
So he took on 2 and we currently have 43 and several sadly missed kids at the bridge - his issue is the dogs I had 2 when we met and now we have 3!
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Quick update. I had a 'client' (work in social care) around the flat - I made it clear that Jack needed left alone/ignored. Jack didn't seem bothered at all. This fits in well with the info 'Tan' gives about behaviour/ettiquete. The girl i'm seeing tries to make a fuss of him - I thnk if stranger came up to me and started 'hassling' me - I would quickly tell them where to go... :P
there you are then, James - the GF will just have to make a fuss of you instead ;)