About Dear Tabbi Expertise My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too.
Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again.
Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
Question my cat is crazy!!she runs around the house making trouble!When I come near her she runs away!i am the one who takes care of her!Is there any way that the cat will let me pet her when i come near her?
Answer Ilana,
You may want to get her a kitty friend to play with, roughhouse with, and chase. It sounds like she has a lot of energy! Running away from you may be HER way of playing with YOU!
You have to take it slow and easy to pet a cat that doesn't trust you or doesn't want to be petted. Try sitting down on the floor and ignore the cat...even if she comes up to you. Cats HATE to be ignored! Then if you can pet her, just pet once or twice and go back to ignoring her again. Leave her wanting more.
Or, get some tuna or a tin of sardines in oil (something with a strong smell), and put it close to you and let her learn to trust you and associate you with something pleasant.
Get a pet laser light from Petco/PetSmart/etc. That is an excellent interactive toy that helps you bond with the cat.
Be gentle, be patient....and give her a way to burn off her excess energy.
