Help, my cat is CRAZY!!!

[BlimpyJones]

Hi there!

I'm writing in regards to my cat, Camilla, who is just under a year old. Camilla exhibits wild behaviour which I'm hoping someone could help me explain. Without further ado...

Camilla, many times, acts as though she does not know my wife or myself. When we come home, Camilla will either come and "greet" us, or run and hide.

If my wife or I are in the bedroom, and one of us leaves down the hall, Camilla will absolutely TEAR out of the bedroom, nearly trip us, and run into the dining room. Sometimes she runs (top speed) into the laundry room, stays there for a few seconds, then comes tearing out toward the dining room again.

Camilla HATES to be picked up. She usually starts squirming less than ten seconds after having been picked up. We cradle her correctly, but she won't have any of it. This is all, of course, if you can even catch the little monster, because she defends herself from being lifted when she senses we want to.

Camilla does not want to be touched. She will either run or lay on her back and defend herself. Camilla is a biter, but her bites never hurt. She also goes easy with her hind claws, and never breaks skin.

Camilla apparently does not hate us, because she climbs all over us when we're in bed, and sometimes jumps into our laps when we sit on the couch. These instances are very brief, if at all, however.

We do not mistreat Camilla in any way. We feed her regularly and scoop her, etc. We do not understand why she wants so little to do with us, and why she acts so strangely. My wife and I really want a loving cat, and we're disappointed Camilla does not seem to be one. Additionally, the constant running around is dangerous, because neither myself nor my wife are very graceful. Here are some questions:

1) Is Camilla's behaviour easily explained by her age (a little less than one year)?

2) Is is possible Camilla, having grown up with no other littermates from 5 weeks is just "untrained" in the ways of "cat etiquette?"

3) Is it possible Camilla does not like her food?

4) Is it just that Camilla is a meanie?

5) What can my wife and I do to get Camilla to slow down and be more loving?

6) Will she grow out of this? If so, HOW SOON?!?!?!

Thanks for your time and consideration regarding this post. I hope someone will have some useful response for us.

Thanks, and God bless!
Eli and Cassie Oklesh
North Carolina, USA

[Cleo]

1) Is Camilla's behaviour easily explained by her age (a little less than one year)?

Yes, absolutely. Kittens have plenty of energy to expend. Does she have her own toys and such to keep her busy enough when you and your wife are not home?

2) Is is possible Camilla, having grown up with no other littermates from 5 weeks is just "untrained" in the ways of "cat etiquette?"

I'm not an expert on cat etiquette but it could be with no other littermates to spend her energy with.

3) Is it possible Camilla does not like her food?

Why would you question her food? Does she not eat it? What are you feeding her?

4) Is it just that Camilla is a meanie?

I personally feel there are no mean cats.

5) What can my wife and I do to get Camilla to slow down and be more loving?

The only advice I can offer here is to just do what you've been doing, provide her with plenty of stimulation and playtime and just be patient.

6) Will she grow out of this? If so, HOW SOON?!?!?!

Can't say how soon but it sounds to me like she's just a normal cat. Sure there are some cats that are clingy, affectionate and glued to your side and then there are cats that are more standoff'ish. Cats are independent creatures by nature and even though they need us, we'll never get them to admit it.

By the way, is she spayed?

[Traci]

Well Cleo beat me to it, but here's my opinion....

1) Is Camilla's behaviour easily explained by her age (a little less than one year)?

Possibly, but you have to ask yourself a couple questions as well, for example:

1) How long is she left alone during the day?
2) How much time do you spend with her?
3) How much time do you devote to paying her attention, playing with her, engaging her in playtime and activity?
4) Does she have interesting toys, interactive toys, a kitty perch near a safe window, a scratching post, a favorite bed/stuffed animal/toy to keep her occupied during the day?
5) Have you considered getting another kitty for companionship?

2) Is is possible Camilla, having grown up with no other littermates from 5 weeks is just "untrained" in the ways of "cat etiquette?"

First, cat's don't know any etiquette . But, yes, you have the right idea. If she was weaned from her mother and siblings at an early age, then she didn't have the opportunity to develop social skills, trust, etc and may seem "stand-offish" to you at times. But, it's never too late to earn her trust, and to commit to providing her lots of love, attention, patience and quality time with her. By now, you know what she likes and dislikes. If she is highly energetic, take advantage of that and involve yourself in her playtime and activity (with interactive toys, playing hide and seek, fetch the mouse, etc)

3) Is it possible Camilla does not like her food?

Why do you ask? Does she eat normally, sufficiently and consistently? What are you currently feeding her and are you free-feeding her or do you feed her on a schedule?

4) Is it just that Camilla is a meanie?

No. It sounds like she has not developed social skills around humans at this point. As mentioned above, there are various things you can do to involve yourself with her, and I would suggest these times are more often so that she begins to feel more safe and secure and adjusted as she matures.

5) What can my wife and I do to get Camilla to slow down and be more loving?

If you mean slowing down as she's racing through the house, this is normal kitten behavior as well as adult behavior. Domestic/indoor cats need room to romp and play in order to stay healthy, active, fit and happy. Kittens have enormous amounts of energy to expend and if you try to quell that energy, she will not grow to be an adjusted, active or happy kitty.

As you begin to spend more time with her, and quality time at that, she will develop a sense of security and may then show more interest in cuddling, bonding, etc.

6) Will she grow out of this? If so, HOW SOON?!?!?!

Maybe, it depends. Some cats are naturally stand-offish depending on their upbringing, their environment and how their owners respond to them. If she were truly secure, adjusted and were not bored, she will probably settle down as she enters adulthood. But, she could also be a naturally spirited kitty as well, so you should be prepared for antics, energy, and make her environment interesting. At this point, it sounds like she is asking for your attention, but how you respond to that will make all the difference in the world to her.

Don't fault her for how she behaves, much of it is normal kitten behavior, she only wants you to interact with her, play with her, make her environment interesting and enriched.

[kitty_kid]

If my wife or I are in the bedroom, and one of us leaves down the hall, Camilla will absolutely TEAR out of the bedroom, nearly trip us, and run into the dining room. Sometimes she runs (top speed) into the laundry room, stays there for a few seconds, then comes tearing out toward the dining room again.

Hi
I am a novice cat person here..But as explained above, I think this is normal cat behaviour for a kitty who needs stimulation perhaps.
My boy only does this when I have been asleep all night...
We then eat and then have a good session of playtime to wear him out for when I am gone for the day.
We do the same before I go to bed.

Its good bonding time for us, I like to watch him play and know that he is getting some mental stimulation...

I would heed all advice you were given above.

Good Luck!

[BlimpyJones]

I suppose I should have included (and, in fact, I intended to) that Camilla is spayed and declawed, front claws only, of course.

I wondered about her food not because she doesn't eat it, which she does very well.. but only because I'm considering every possible reason for her "nuerism," haha.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who responded. My wife and I love Camilla very much and take good care of her. I found her at 5 weeks wandering the busy streets of Greensboro, North Carolina. I didn't want her smashed, so I took her home. I figured it was the best of situations. Anyhow, she's my cat no matter how much she seems to "hate the world."

Thanks everyone!
Eli