Expert: Becky - 12/28/2006

Question
I KNOW MY CAT WAS TRAUMATIZED WHEN SOME FIRENDS CAME OVER,HE GOT ON TOP OF THE FRIDGE,WHICH HE DOES WHEN THE VACCUM IS RUNNING, HENSE HE IS SCARED OF THE VACCUM...WELL THESE SUPPOSEDLY FRIENDS, FEMALE ADULT AND HER TEENAGE DAUGHTER, HISSED AT BOGIE SEVERAL SEVERAL TIMES.....HE RAN TO THE BEDROOM,AND EVERYTIME I TRIED TO BRING HIM OUT, HE WENT CRAZY..HISSING,CLAWING...I KNOW THEY MUST HAVE SCARED HIM TO DEATH...NOW BOGIE IS SCARED OF EVERYONE THAT COMES OVER, HOW CAN I CORRECT THIS..HE IS SUCH A LOVING CAT, AND USED TO COME RUNNING WHEN WE HAD COMPANY, NOWHE RUNS THE OTHER WAY.

Answer
Hi Debbie!
I'm sorry your friends felt the need to make matters worse by purposely scaring an already frightened cat.  It's not your fault though.  This is a trust issue. It will take time, but eventually with love, tenderness and patience, he will trust your friends again. I would warn anyone coming over about what happened though, especially the "culprits"!   It may take awhile. I had a three year old Chinese Crested dog that I rescued. She was so scared of people that she hid under my bed for three months!!  I would force her to come out to go outside , but when she was done she would head straight under the bed again.  However, she eventually began to trust us and now is a very loving companion. Just give it time. As long as he is not traumatized again, he will get over it.

God bless,
Becky