Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/1 1/2 year old family cat

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/26/2009


Question
Our cat recently has taken an intense dislike to my 17 year old daughter - she will hiss at her and not let my daughter go near hear or pick her up most of the time.  We cannot figure out why she acts like this with only her.  Both my kids are very kind with our animals so we can't figure this behaviour out.  Any thoughts?

Answer
Liz,

Usually behavior like that is caused by a smell that the person has on them or that they are bringing home that is not familiar that the cat does not like, or distrusts. Your daughter may also have stepped on the cat by accident and may not even have known it which will cause the cat to be afraid of her. Hissing is a warning.

Have your daughter give the cat some special kitty treat, like tuna or tinned sardines in oil. That is so the cat will associate her with something pleasant and not negative. If that doesn't work with the cat, then have her ignore the cat completely. Cats hate to be ignored! Let the cat start making the first attempts at affection again.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.