Question:
After 4 weeks of taking in Angel, my 3 year old I adopted from a guy at work, I am starting to wonder what kind of life she had before.
The introduction I did with her and Tasha, my other cat did not go so well, but they have managed to adapt. Things I see now make me think it isn't a "getting along" issue with Angel's skitty personality.
She was very jumpy and always hiding when she first came, now she has no trouble walking wherever she wants in the house. She has become somewhat tolerant of Tasha trying to play with her and I actually found the 2 of them on the bed together today. They still fight but it isn’t violent, more noise then anything. Compared to 4 weeks ago, there has been a lot of progress so I think she is over feeling scared of new people, house and cat.
Beyond that I find she appears to be very mistrusting. Okay, she is older and doesn't want to play with Tasha, a disappointment for sure, but she isn't always the best with me and my husband either. You can't pet her from behind or when she is in a corner, especially when she is not looking. You can be petting her and she is purring and then she snaps and swats at you. We walk away and she starts to follow us like she wants more attention, you try and touch her and she starts that annoyed meow or growling and swatting. When you walk past her she freaks out and swats at your feet.
The only history I know on her is that she has been through 2 moves, a new dog and 2 kittens that she tolerated but never got along with. She lived with 3 boys, and I know kids can be very torturous with animals. Other then that the owner seemed happy with her and never said she was so...what’s the word.. freaky? Could this be a sign of abuse? He always asks how she is doing so it seems he cared about her. I find it very odd that Tasha, my stray is more domesticated then Angel who has been a house cat since she was a kitten.
I considered it being the fact that she is declawed, I read it can affect their personality. Any thoughts?
Answer:
Well, I've know a few cats that would paw and bite as if they were mad, but knew they had never been hit. Also, some cats, even mine, bat at feet as you walk by, but it's just playing. My cat will act like you're going to hit her when you go to pet her head (head shy), but we got her as a kitten and she's never been hit either. She was raised in a cage though before they'd let her be sold and that doesn't help. Interestingly enough her head shyness is only when she first wakes up and her eyes are watery. If she's totally awake she pushes her head into my hand. A cat's personality are formed in the first few weeks of life, so outside of a traumatic experience it's hard to say.
Answer:
I agree, some cats are just that way; besides which, she may still be a little scared. Some cats take a few months to fully adjust. My thoughts are that given more time she will likely be a little different. Sounds like she has been through some past traumatic (though not abusive) experiences, and that can be part of it. Many cats do not adapt well to change. I would just reccomend giving her time.
~ Jessica, Tilak, Jax & Harley~
Answer:
well, I hope you both are right, I realize I haven't had her for very long. The only pattern I am seeing is the more Tasha tries to play/confront Angel the more grouchy she is with us. She always backs herself into a corner and Tasha keeps following her. I try to pet both to ease the situation but neither wants to be touched when they are having a stare down.
I have read discipline does not work with cats, and using water bottles isn't good either, so how do I get Tasha to leave Angel alone? She isn't hurting her but she is young and wants to interact with Angel. She was really bad last night, wouldn't leave the poor thing alone! She followed her everywhere and kept meowing at her. I tried separating Angel by bringing her to bed with me but she wants to get out of wherever I put her and heads straight back to where Tasha is. It is so wierd, why would she set herself up for more harassment if she doesn't like it?
Answer:
I think the only thing to do is to separate them for a while until they calm down.
speaking of prior abuse, I noticed when I got Mellie that every time I bent down to pet her, she ducked or flinched or ran away. I can only guess someone hurt her in her previous life. fortunately no one hurts her now and she gets plenty of affection and attention, and she doesn't flinch from being petted any more. cats need to learn to trust their owners.
Tim

Answer:
Same here.. I have no idea what Madam's life was before I adopted her but she obviously was a housecat since she was young because of her eating habits, only wants one type of food, dry wich means somebody got her started on it, how she reacts to house noises, etc. But she runs away from strangers and cowers, now with new kitties in the house..well.
I don't know if she was abused but certainly traumatized, she was declawed so maybe that accounts for it.
I carry toys with me around the house so whenever I see her moping someplace I try to play with her, it seems to cheer her up.
I ordered some Feliway, don't know if it'll help but can't hurt (other than my pocket) can it
Rosalie
**Never ask what your cat can do for you but what you can do for your cat**
Get Fuzzy's Bucky cat

Answer:
I found my Bell when she was only 4 weeks old. She is now almost 5 and is as wild as the day I found her. I can't pet her and it really bothers me.
I have never had a cat like this. But she lives in the house, she has good food, a safe place to sleep and the other cats to play with. So I guess she is as happy as I can make her. So be it. She will live out her life safe.
Cats are Gods way of reminding us we aren't as important as we think we are
Answer:
Lynda,
That is exactly how I feel, if Angel never really gets into cuddling or enjoying attention, I try and look at the bright side, her owner was going to take her to the Humane society and I know she would be in a small cage for who knows how long so at least I can provide her with a home and decent food. I am learning, not all cats are mans best friend!
I grew up in the country and our outdoor cats were never really affectionate. That is probably why I never took to cats when I was younger, I only had experiences with independent, non social cats.
I still hold out hope that Angel will relax with age and be more people oriented!
Answer:
Update on my situation:
I just had my Christmas Party and I was talking to the couple that gave me Angel. I was telling them about her behavior and they proceeded to tell me she always acted like that BECAUSE they used to tease her a lot. They seem to think it was pretty funny. They had a son who teased her, and the man did the "heavy petting" harrassment that I see a lot. I don't know why people find it so entertaining to make a cat feel so uncomfortable. Now she is jumpy like she has no idea what you are going to do to her. She is always on guard. I don't find that funny at all. He offered again, to take her back and pay to surrender her to the humane society. I told him forget it! We love her just the same.
Any opinions on whether you think she will get over it in time? She is 4 years old.
Answer:
I'm so glad for Angel that you adopted her! I can only think of 'evil' when it comes to taunting animals as that man does. You'll NEVER understand someone getting their jollies that way, I know I won't. I hope someone adopts the others.
Our Sweet Eyes is 5 years old and was adopted from a new litter and raised by my daughter, then my sister and as of last year, me. We're all BIG TIME CAT LOVERS and there's no history of any abuse. I sometimes think she's part rabbit, she's so timid. Like Angel, she's pure white but one eye is blue and she's a bit... fuller.
She took to me and ONLY me very quickly and we became very close. (She's my grand-kitty!) She trusts me completely.
In the first few weeks, she would crouch and run off to hide if there was a loud noise or someone arrived at the house. It was months before anyone but me could get near her and would crouch away from my boyfriend when he attempted to pet her, even though he was around much of the time.
I would say it was about four weeks being here before she stopped crouching completely, and became quite comfortable with her surroundings. It was probably another 6 months before she began to be friendly with b/f and now, a year later, will go to him also though still a little wary at times.
My daughter read somewhere that white cats are prone to be "one-person" cats. I don't know how true that is but it seems to apply to mine. She is quite attached, I am very protective of her and she obviously feels that.
When you pet Angel from behind, does she know you are there, do you talk to her, or is she surprised? Sounds like she's using her defense mechanisms; instinctively, not intending to harm but to protect herself.
Small wonder with the horribly unnecessary aggravation she's endured.
Angel has been abused and needs to find trust again. Continue to be kind, care for and love her, talk to her and you'll build that trust in time, she'll come to feel it. She will ask for your attention when she knows she can trust it. She may be a "one-person cat and I pray you may be that person.
Please keep us posted on how it is going...
-Cat Lovers are the Best People on God's Earth
Answer:
ditto the previous msg. couldn't say it better!
Tim

Answer:
I have one cat that exhibits signs of abuse. She is about 12, I have had her for three years. Her previous owner worked with me, when he died his widow did not want her any more and dumped her outside, she had always been an inside cat. In talking with the widow I asked about the cat and she told me about her being outside. I asked her if I could come over and get her, that was ok with her. She is still very cautious,for the most time she is hiding somewhere in a closet or cupboard. She comes out when it is feeding time, sometimes she does jump up in bed and sleep with me. If I want to pet her, I make sure she knows what I am going to do. You cannot reach out to pet her head from up and above her, she will duck her head like she is expecting a blow. I think she is basically happy, she has her hiding places, she has good food and loving when she feels like it. She is just a loner, it is sad as she is a beautiful fluffy dark tabby.
I do not understand how anyone can harm an animal, cat, dog or whatever. It is good that there are people around to pick up the pieces.
Answer:
yes, that ducking behavior is exactly what Mellie did when I first got her. it took almost two months for her to get over it, learning to trust me.
Tim
I don't know how anybody could possibly hurt such a nice and beautiful cat!! but she was picked up as a stray. it just boggles my mind.

Answer:
Quote: It is good that there are people around to pick up the pieces.
THANK GOD for all the people like you, Anita!
-Cat Lovers are the Best People on God's Earth
Answer:
Sweet Anita. Nice.
We picked up our female last year from a pet place. She was very timid and afraid of my hubby when he walked around. If he is lying down, she loves him to pieces. If he walks, she runs and heads for the bed- her safe haven. She dislikes his dark blue robe and won't come near him unless he removes it! We thought she was abused, but she just comes around on her own terms. It has taken us a full year to get her to relax a little. We don't mind so much. Give yours more time and it will get used to you and to the family!