Change in cat's affection

[JessK]

Maybe experienced cat owners can guide me here. I'm so upset today because I'm worried I've lost my kitten's trust. He's more skittish, and I don't blame him, but it's so distressing. The story is, I bathed him. He rolled in the track of our aluminum sliding door, which had been oiled to make it slide better, so he had black oily crud all along his side, which I was worried about him licking off. So I consulting the cat care books I got, and it said it was okay, even good, to gently bath him occasionally, so I did. I didn't submerse him, but just put him on a towel, sudsed up the dirty part, then sprayed him to rinse with the nozzle on the gentlest possible stream. He seemed very scared but was a champion about it and didn't make a peep or scratch me. Then I took him far from the sink and toweled and brushed him, and he seemed okay, even purring eventually.

But ever since then, he's more reluctant to come to me. I can coax him to nap on my lap when he's in a mellow mood, but when he's hyper, he runs away from me and ducks under the sofa when I try to play with him. I'm just beside myself with sadness and regret because I think he associates me with danger and unpleasantness now. I'm hoping I can rebuild trust but am worried that I've scarred him emotionally... Has anyone here been through a similar situation?

[Tina B and crew]

I think most of us have had some experience of a cat shying away from us because we did something they don't like...whether it's bathing, nail clipping, giving meds. In my experience they usually back around to trusting me within the day. Don't be too hard on yourself...you really did nothing bad or wrong. Just continue to be gentle with him...don't make sudden movements, talk softly. I would imagine he will come around. If he doesn't you might want to consult with your vet. Actually you might want to consult with your vet anyway, it is a behavior change and may be due to something physical going one...probably not, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

[kate & kobi]

I agree with Tina. I thought my kitty would never love me again after her sulfur dip for ringworm - but the next day, she was fine. It may take some time but cats don't hold grudges.

Out of curiosity, what did you bathe him with? Cats can be sensitive to some kinds of soap.

[JessK]

Thanks for your answers and encouragement. I bathed him with a little baby shampoo, which my cat book said was okay. He smelled sort of "baby fresh" afterwards, which he probably hated. He's still real skittish when he's in playful mode. He used to bound right up to me when he was playful, but now it's like he's suddenly taking the game really seriously and thinks I really am, like, some enemy in the wild or something.