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Cats/My nieces cat

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Expert: - 9/14/2008


Question
My niece has a 9-10 month old female (spayed) cat. She takes her places when she is going to be gone for even one overnight. Many times she has come here. This visit though she has not warmed up to me or my 2 cats. She has been growling and batting at me every time I approach her and she has had a loud fight with my younger female cat. My question is...do u think it is because she is feeling insecure about not having a set home?  She is not staying home enough to make the safe connections and is being put in homes with other cats or dogs for 1-4 days.  Or could she be sick? She isn't acting it but maybe???  I am just a concerned Aunt and want my niece to have a loving cat and not a paranoid angry one.

Answer
Hi Martha,

It sounds like as she is getting older she is getting more territorial. She has her home. When your sister brings her over this is no longer her safe area. It is a strange area with strange cats. This is causing her aggressive behavior. When she was younger she wasn't too set in her ways. But now as she is older she likes her home turf only. I think it is time for your niece to visit places with no cats from now on. She should leave her home when she visits you. Otherwise you will be looking at some nasty cat fights. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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