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Cat Forum / General Topics / February 2006Is this behavior strange or normal?
This refers to my friend's cat. Usually she is quite comfortable with me, sits on my lap and lets me play with her. However, once in a while, could even be after having played nice, she gets into this strange mood: She sits crouched and extremely alert as if hunting or being hunted (can't tell). If I approach her she darts to the another part of the house and adopts the same posture. She looks and acts very cautious, almost alarmed, don't know how else to describe it. My friend says she does the same even when I am not there, but less often. As I said, usually she seems to like me and is comfortable with me. Could it be what I am wearing, clothes or aftershave? Or is it just normal cat behavior (although mine doesn't seem to do it, so far)? > This refers to my friend's cat. Usually she is quite comfortable with > me, sits on my lap and lets me play with her. However, once in a while, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > me. Could it be what I am wearing, clothes or aftershave? Or is it just > normal cat behavior (although mine doesn't seem to do it, so far)? It's most likely a game of pretend. One of my two cats, Fireball, loves doing this too. She wants to play tag, and will do it with imaginary creatures if I'm unavailable. Heck, she's running around the apartment like a lunatic right now. My other cat prefers to just hang out next to me on the couch showing only passing interest in toys and play. He just stares at my hand when I dangle string or other objects for him. He's reasonably smart just not that imaginative. > This refers to my friend's cat. Usually she is quite comfortable with > me, sits on my lap and lets me play with her. However, once in a while, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > me. Could it be what I am wearing, clothes or aftershave? Or is it just > normal cat behavior (although mine doesn't seem to do it, so far)? Hi Alex, This could be quite normal for her. It sounds very similar to the submissive, petted cat unexpectedly biting or scratching. This happens when the cat suddenly realises it is too vulnerable and swiftly corrects the situation. Next time this happens, watch her ear posture. If erect or forward, then she is alert and, possibly, in hunting mode. If her ears are laid flat(ish) to the side, she is feeling defensive/slightly threatened. If her ears are flattened and laid back then she is afraid and in 'fight or flight' mode. If the latter, speak to reassure her, but don't risk handling her - you may get slashed. Try and find out what is troubling her. If she is this frightened, then you might suggest to your friend that doors and windows are kept closed so that she doesn't bolt. If she is merely alert or defensive, she may have heard something you can't (or could, but ignored). When my cat Panther hears a noise she doesn't like, she growls and runs out to kill it! Not a wise move, so I restrain her if I can. The reaction goes as quickly as it came. I'm sure it's not anything you're wearing, since she has played nicely with you just moments before. One possibility is that you have, in play, touched some part of her that makes her upset. Some cats don't like having their ears touched .. their tail touched, or their stomach touched. Try and be aware of what happened just before she displays this reaction. I'll be interested to hear how you get on. Do report back. Regards, Spider My cats love doing this! Its a game to them...I chase them around the house (it could be used as a form of exercise for mine),too....As long as they dont literally attack you malaciously, I,personally, see no problem.  SignatureMake each day the best it can be! > >> This refers to my friend's cat. Usually she is quite comfortable with [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > Regards, > Spider : This refers to my friend's cat. Usually she is quite comfortable with : me, sits on my lap and lets me play with her. However, once in a while, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] : the house and adopts the same posture. She looks and acts very : cautious, almost alarmed, don't know how else to describe it. This looks like she wants to play with you! Throw a table tennis ball and see what happens. : My friend says she does the same even when I am not there, but less : often. As I said, usually she seems to like me and is comfortable with : me. Could it be what I am wearing, clothes or aftershave? Or is it just : normal cat behavior (although mine doesn't seem to do it, so far)? carola > This refers to my friend's cat. Usually she is quite comfortable with > me, sits on my lap and lets me play with her. However, once in a while, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > me. Could it be what I am wearing, clothes or aftershave? Or is it just > normal cat behavior (although mine doesn't seem to do it, so far)? She may be inviting you to play "hide and seek". Cats love that game. MLB > > This refers to my friend's cat. Usually she is quite comfortable with > > me, sits on my lap and lets me play with her. However, once in a while, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > She may be inviting you to play "hide and seek". Cats love that game. > MLB Indeed they do. My Romeo just loved it when you would chase him (in a non-threatening way). At a certain point in the chase (meaning a point when he had stopped) I would turn around and run away from him. He would come after me. We had such fun playing this game. Now at age 20 Romeo is a little lazier and does not play that particular game anymore. Joan
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