Expert: Jessica - 9/13/2010

Question
I've had my cat since she was two months old- she just turned one year old this month, and recently she's been showing the weirdest behavioral changes.

When she was a kitten, she was very loving and playful and affectionate.  She purred constantly, curled up in anyone's lap, slept in my bed, and could sit happily perched on someone's shoulder hiding under their hair.  Lately, though, she's like a different cat.  She refuses to let people pick her up- if approached she often runs for cover.  If you reach out to pet her she will bite and scratch at your hand, especially if you're anywhere near her belly.

She has also changed her litter habits.  Except for a lapse immediately after we had her spayed, she has been good about going in the litter box.  But now, although she continues to defecate in the litter, she urinates consistently on the living room carpet.

Is there something I can do to help her?  Is something wrong?  Or is it natural for a growing cat to alter their demeanor so much- a kind of kitty puberty?

I'd appreciate any advice you could give me.

Answer
Hi Brianna,

I'm concerned that your cat might be suffering some sort of pain.  A change in personality like this is not normal, and is almost always related to trauma or illness.  Since she seems especially sensitive about her belly, it seems to make sense that the pain might be originating in her abdominal area.  Add in fact that her litter habits have changed, and I wonder if she's got a painful bladder.

She should see a vet.  A vet is trained to feel for tension in reponse to touch and should be able to sense if your cat is feeling pain when they palpate her bladder or kidneys, or somewhere else in the abdomen.  If they can locate a source of pain, you can decide what to pursue diagnostically.  This may mean a urinalysis or x-rays if bladder stones are suspected, or an ultrasound of the kidneys appear affected.

Once you correct the physical problem, the behavioral issues should resolve.  If no physical problem is found, you are dealing with a strictly behavioral issue, which can develop in some cats for unknown reasons.  Try to avoid touching clearly sensitive areas (the belly is sensitive in many cats).

At times, aggression can be caused by anxiety, and you might need to use a pheromone product.  This is a type of hormone that helps relax cats.  There are plug-in diffusers like Feliway (www.feliway.com), which I use, and also a new kind of collar, like the Good Behavior pheromone collar.  I haven't tried this with my cats, so I'm not sure how well it works.

If pheromone therapy doesn't work, you may need to use an antidepressant for a while.  Clomicalm seems to get the best reviews for aggression cases, because it has a slightly calming effect.  Other choices include Prozac, Buspar and Elavil.  Most cats only need to use them for a few months, and then they can be tapered off.

Best of luck!

Jessica