Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: carl (billy and baggys dad) on August 19, 2007, 13:23:39 PM
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Hullo folks ...
I've a bit of a odd question. For the last week or so, Bilbo has been acting strangely. He runs away from me when I come into the room, he acts nervously around me ... he's fine with Laura, no problem at all. We took him to the vets last week and they said everything was fine and there was nothing wrong.
Is it possible for a cat to change like this? What may have caused it? Is there anything I can do to win him around? I've noticed he wants to be outside more lately - could that be a factor?
Thanks for any help :hug:
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Did he see a male vet? If so I wonder if he got spooked and is associating you with that. Or did you take him to the vet?
I would just act all calm and gentle around him so he remembers its you and he loves you :rofl:
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ummmm sounds like he's got a "male phobia" all of a sudden. I agree with Gill spend some quality time with him and bit of "male bonding" .... watch the footie, crack open a few cans, role around in some cat nip .... you know the sort of thing :rofl:
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Carl, without sounding indelicate... erm.. :-:
Had you showered yet? Hear me out!!! :evillaugh:
Lexy went ballistic with my ex when he had been out messing with his car engine, and came in... she refused to go near him. He had to have a shower first to get rid of whatever scent she could smell (honestly, he didn't..) and only when he did would she go near him again.
Maybe Bilbo smells a scent of some kind on your clothes, shoes, etc that you have picked up outside?
Sorry, didn't mean to imply you smelled :evillaugh: :-[ I know you don't :-[
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or maybe you are trying out a new aftershave? smells can deter cats quite a bit
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Think you need to become the hand that feeds him.
Are you trying to tell us you took the boys on honeymoon with you :)
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Or you could even have changed to a soap or gel that he doesnt like? Have you changed anything about your washing routines?
Are you taking any medication that could alter the way you smell to a cat (you do not have to answer this in public!)?
Have you started visiting somewhere different?
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I'm sure you've racked your brain, but did you do anything that could have spooked Bilbo? Vacuum cleaning? Changes in routine or furniture? Listening to loud music that he hates :)
I'd try to move really gently around him and speak softly and make a huge fuss and see if he'll come round. Not much help, sorry.
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Thanks for the replies everyone :hug: I've racked my brains and I can't think of a trigger for Bilbo's change in behaviour. I did have a wash last week ... maybe it was that?
I'm starting to worry a bit. Can any illnesses cause this sort of thing? Would you take him back to the vets? He has been fighting with the cat from the farm next door - he has a couple of small nicks on his face that the vet said were from scrapping. Would that have an effect?
Thanks so much for the advice.
Teresa - we had to move my sister in to look after the boys while we were away because they know her. Billy was fine all week too, until I got home :shy:
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Teresa - we had to move my sister in to look after the boys while we were away because they know her. Billy was fine all week too, until I got home :shy:
Sounds to me like he is annoyed you left him and wants you to grovel. Try ignoring him for a while and stop worrying he will soon come round to you again, the trigger sounds like he`s got used to female company.
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yep, my tabitha jane would not speak to me for a week after I went to Europe once. Turned her back on me when I walked in the door.
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Teresa - we had to move my sister in to look after the boys while we were away because they know her. Billy was fine all week too, until I got home :shy:
Sounds to me like he is annoyed you left him and wants you to grovel. Try ignoring him for a while and stop worrying he will soon come round to you again, the trigger sounds like he`s got used to female company.
Thats the funny thing - his behaviour went slightly odd before we went away. Could he have picked up on our pre-wedding stress? There was quite a bit of that flying around here :evillaugh:
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Teresa - we had to move my sister in to look after the boys while we were away because they know her. Billy was fine all week too, until I got home :shy:
Sounds to me like he is annoyed you left him and wants you to grovel. Try ignoring him for a while and stop worrying he will soon come round to you again, the trigger sounds like he`s got used to female company.
Thats the funny thing - his behaviour went slightly odd before we went away. Could he have picked up on our pre-wedding stress? There was quite a bit of that flying around here :evillaugh:
As I remember him Bilbo is a very clever boy but also very sensitive; Yes Carl I think you are being punished :)
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I think maybe it was him picking up on all the stress carl then you being away and as someone said he got used to female only company.
I'm sure he'll come round and be back to his old self.
Meantime you be the one that feeds him, plays with him and ask the new mrs carl to take a backseat for a bit.
You could get yourself some of that feliway friend (they one you spray on yourself i think) and see if that helps.
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If all else fails you could always wear a dress :shy: :rofl: sorry!
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Only on Tuesdays Ruth :evillaugh:
I'm getting worried now - he's showing no signs of coming round. Are there any illnesses that would cause this?
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If he's only doing it to you Carl it may just be that he needs a little time still. If he's ok with Laura then I suspect its that he needs to rebond with you.
How about you just sit with him in your room together and you just talk to him quietly? Just have a nonsensical conversation with him, always in the same gentle tone, let him come to you. I find that helps with Lexy when she's had a bit of a scare of some kind. Just talking seems to get her round after a bit.
Is he eating and drinking, toiletting ok?
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Carl could you get Laura to wear one of your jumpers or something you have been wearing and see what Bilbo`s reaction is to her.
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He's eating fine Ruth. He'll come to me if I offer him his favourite roast beef, then run away again once its run out.
Thanks Teresa - I'll give that a go, it has to be worth a try. I feel really bad, its horrible having your little lad nervous around you :(
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Did your sister have any mates round while you were away Carl do you know? Or have a delivery of any kind for you? Maybe a voice triggered it?
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I cant think of any illness that would make him suddenly like this Carl, i can tell its really distressing you though.
has he been to a vet since you got back ? it might be worth getting him checked out. If he's fine with everyone else i dont suspect something physical but is there any way he might have been harmed or scared when outside when you were gone ?
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I know it might sound silly but do you have any cat nip spray (kookamunga is very good) ... give yourself a bit of a spray and try lying on the floor and let the boys give you lots of head rubs and snuffles. Basically become a cat for a while get down to his level and let him come to you.
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Poor Bilbo and poor you :hug: Don't have any suggestions at to what may have caused him to be fearful of you but maybe you could try going back to basics as if he were a 'new' cat?
http://wizz-catz.co.uk/timidcat.html
http://wizz-catz.co.uk/bonding.html
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Hullo folks!
Thanks for the replies. I decided to take him back to the vets this morning. He had a thorough exam, and the vet is running some blood tests to check everything is functioning as it should. He did suggest that the cause could be something in Bilbo's environment - another cat for example. There is a cat on the farm next door, and Bilbo has been known to scrap with him, so it could be that. We'll have the results from the tests on Thursday so I'll let you all know then.
Thanks very much for the help and advice everyone :hug:
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:hug: Hope everthing comes back ok from the vets
:ahh: Bilbo
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Yes do let us know Carl. A big hug to both your boys and hope Bilbo get's back to his normal old self with you soon. :hug:
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"Good Luck" for his test results ;)
Ooo ive just remembered its Tuesday :evillaugh:
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Quick update - Bilbo is getting back to his normal self by the look of things :)
He was very purrrrrry and affectionate last night after we'd got back in, he even jumped up and sat between me and Laura. So ... I have no idea what his cold shoulder was for :tired: I know cats are complicated creatures but Bilbo is something else :evillaugh:
Baggins remains his rolypoly cheerful self :)
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Yay....Great news :wow:
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Great news :)
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Quick update - Bilbo is getting back to his normal self by the look of things :)
He was very purrrrrry and affectionate last night after we'd got back in, he even jumped up and sat between me and Laura. So ... I have no idea what his cold shoulder was for :tired: I know cats are complicated creatures but Bilbo is something else :evillaugh:
Baggins remains his rolypoly cheerful self :)
You went away ... WITHOUT him .... and you wonder why you are being punished! Did you bring him back a gift?
He has obviously decided you have grovelled, begged and generally humilated yourself enough now so he has forgiven you. Let this be a lesson to you for any future trips you might have planned. :rofl: :rofl:
Seriously though I'm really pleased he is back to normal and there was nothing wrong healthwise.
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Glad Bilbos getting back his normal self :Luv:
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So glad that Bilbo is beginning to come round :) It just goes to show what a good Dad you are taking him to the vets for a change in behaviour when there are owners out there who don't bother when their cats are seriously ill or injured >:(
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Aha, so you got the High Hat from senor Bilbo. You don't know you aren't supposed to go away then?! :rofl:
joking apart, I'm glad he's forgiven you....for the moment. Suggest bribery might work; cats have been known to be very susceptible to it ;)
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So pleased he is back to normal, but let this be a lesson for the future :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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I would seem that bilbo is indeed a daddy's puss and was having a huffy tantrum because you went away and left him :Crazy:
pleased he's returning to normal though :)
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Yes folks, it appears I have been pardoned by his Highness. Only after copious grovelling, seafood medley and the farm shop's best rare beef. I'm broke and knackered now :evillaugh:
Thanks for your help and advice as ever, it's appreciated so much :hug:
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Arent cats wonderful :rofl: