Cat Behavior

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Bob - 13 Jan 2006 03:30 GMT

My tuxedo is one of three cats I own. Have had her for six
years. Got her when she was about half grown, from a no-kill
cat shelter. She was left with her brothers & sisters at the door
step of the shelter. My other two cats are very affectionate, but
the tuxedo has always been stand off and does not like us to pet
her. Also, she never purrs. However, she does enjoy grooming.
I think her behavior dates back to not being socialized with
humans, while she was a kitten. But, my question is after so
many years you would think she would have warmed up to us.
Anyone else ever see this type of behavior? Oh, all three cats
are 100% indoor.

Thanks,

Bob

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5cats - 13 Jan 2006 04:22 GMT

> My tuxedo is one of three cats I own. Have had her for six
> years. Got her when she was about half grown, from a no-kill
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Anyone else ever see this type of behavior? Oh, all three cats
> are 100% indoor.

I have a 6 year old male who was feral until about 12 weeks old. He's the
very definition of "scardy cat" around people. He's finally decided that
he actually likes a little petting, combing and chin rubs, but only for a
few seconds. A ear skritch will sometimes get a tiny little quiet purr
from him. He still absolutely hates to be held. I'm trying to get him to
accept it a bit more by sometimes picking him up for just a few seconds
before I feed him. I really wish I'd been a little more forward with him
when I first found him, but I'd never encountered such a shy cat before
and I thought he'd come around more on his own.

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~*Connie*~ - 13 Jan 2006 13:25 GMT

I had a standoffish cat, but I had the bonus of being able to rub his chin
and put him into a trance, so I could touch him. He was about six when he
disappeared. (last time I let a cat out side no matter what story they told
me) and at that time he was a bit more affectionate than previously. My
elder girl has always been affectionate, but scared of her own shadow. Now
that she's 15 she's figured out she's not going to die if I walk too fast
into a room and doesn't care any more. Time does seem to temper this sort
of thing. I am not saying you'll get a love bug, but you should get more.

> My tuxedo is one of three cats I own. Have had her for six
> years. Got her when she was about half grown, from a no-kill
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Bob

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Calypso - 17 Jan 2006 08:34 GMT

>I had a standoffish cat, but I had the bonus of being able to rub his chin
>and put him into a trance, so I could touch him. He was about six when he
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>>
>> Bob

I think it's about her own character. Some people are more affectionate than
others, and maybe it happens the same with cats. I don't think you should
worry, you just have to accept her as she is.

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Ted Davis - 13 Jan 2006 13:58 GMT

>My tuxedo is one of three cats I own. Have had her for six
>years. Got her when she was about half grown, from a no-kill
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>Anyone else ever see this type of behavior? Oh, all three cats
>are 100% indoor.

Dandy and Maryweather are from the same litter - both were abandoned.
Maryweather is a lap cat; Dandy is skittish and unwilling to be
handled unless one of the older and larger males is present. They
started off just the opposite of what they are now: Dandy was the lap
cat and Maryweather was the fearful one. The change happened when
they were about a year old.

Spooky didn't purr, that I know of, for about nine years - he started
purring when we moved to the country about five years ago. Now he
lulls me to sleep with his purrs.

There is hope, but some cats are just not affectionate.

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Pat in Atlanta - 13 Jan 2006 17:50 GMT

I have two cats that I took in when they were adults. They're both shy of
affection and I feel it's because of they way they were treated as kittens
and little cats.

> My tuxedo is one of three cats I own. Have had her for six
> years. Got her when she was about half grown, from a no-kill
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Bob

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Shiny Hiney - 13 Jan 2006 18:29 GMT

> I have two cats that I took in when they were adults. They're both shy of
> affection and I feel it's because of they way they were treated as kittens
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> >
> > Bob

We nurture about 40 cats. Their personalities are as varied as would the
personalities of 40 humans that I might know as well. From a single
litter, one cat might be totally approachable and affectionate while its
litter mate might be just the opposite.

--Shiny Hiney

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wester@laway.net - 13 Jan 2006 19:24 GMT

>My tuxedo is one of three cats I own. Have had her for six
>years. Got her when she was about half grown, from a no-kill
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>Anyone else ever see this type of behavior? Oh, all three cats
>are 100% indoor.

My M tuxedo is the most loving boy you'd ever find. He adores
cuddling, ear pulls, gum rubs, tummy rubs, whatever; but he does not
like being picked for more than a few moments. My F mackerel tabby is
standoffish--unless *she* decides the occasion is right. Then she's
all over me. And, hey, that's not a bad thing!

Who knows why they are all different? That's one of the reasons we
love them! ;-)

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