Expert: Becky - 6/10/2005

Question
Hello,  
   I have recently inherited a cat (over 1 month ago). She is about 10 years old and is a grey Tiger cat. I have never been a cat person (infact i am slightly allergic to them) so I am unsure of the breed.
   My uncle passed away about a month ago and I took Maxi in. She has always been a mean cat. She would never let anyone touch her except for my uncle. My sister was at his house EVERY DAY and maxi would hiss at her. My Nana was also at his house every day and was only able to pet her with her foot. When my uncle passed Maxi ran up to my Nana and allowed her to pet her.
   So now I took her in because I didn't want a shelter to put mean Maxi cat to sleep. She usually stays under the bed. After 2 weeks she would come downstairs as long as my boyfriend and I were sitting still and not looking at her. If we said her name she would hiss and approach us as if she was going to attack us. After a little while she would let us say hello and if we looked away she would go about her buisiness. We have provided her with a feeding schedule that we stick to. Plenty of toys, a window perch (all of which she rarely touches)and I place treats in her hiding spaces throughout the house.
     Just when I felt as if we were developing a relationship with her a house guest from afar started staying with us in our small 2 room studio apt. Since then Maxi rarely comes out,(even though before when visitors were over she would come out as long as no one bothered her) she started hissing at me again and has gone through fazes of not eating and vomiting. At this moment her eating seems to have stabilized but I am very concerned for her health and emotional happiness. She was sleeping on the windowsill at the end of my bed at nite but now I cannot walk into my bedroom if she is in there. She hisses and seems like she is going to attack me. I just purchased some Feliway spray after reading reviews that said it may make her feel more comfortable. Any advice you could offer would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

Answer
Hello Danielle!

First, I want to say that I admire you so much for taking in this cat that you don't even like and are allergic to also.  I am so grateful to people like you who take the time to take care of an unwanted and unloveable cat as this one seems to be!   Try to remember though, that this cat is probably mourning the loss of her master , not to mention freaked out over a new house, new people and everything new!   Cats do not take change very well, not near as good as a dog does.   I think you have absolutely done the very best you can do to make this cat comfortable.  

I would like to tell you a similar story that happened to me.   I rescued a Chinese Crested dog from a breeder who had sold her previously to some owners who no longer wanted her , so they dumped her on the breeder's doorstep after a few years.  The poor dog was terrified and although she wasn't mean ,she was scared of everything.  He asked me if I would like to take her, as I already had one Chinese Crested and they are one of my favorite breeds.  I took her, and brought her home.  Like you,  I was not real thrilled with her personality, as she stayed under my bed.  I fed and watered her there, and when I felt she needed to relieve herself, I would go to one side of the bed and kinda "shoo" her out, to go oustside in my fenced in yard.  Afterwards she would run straight back to my room, get under the bed and stay there.  I resigned myself to the fact that she would never be a "pet" but that I would make her life comfortable as I could,  much as what you are doing.   About three months went by like this, and one day...lo and behold , out she came and while we were all in the living room watching tv, she poked her head around the corner and looked at us.   We were shocked!  Slowly she came out more and more.......Now, 8 years later, she is absolutley the sweetest dog you would ever want to know.  She is very loving and wants to be held alot.  She never has taken up with men much,  but she truly loves me and my girls.  So, don't give up hope!   This cat may never be a loving one, but she may eventually let you pet  her.  

Just keep doing what you are doing.  You are doing more than most would and I commend you for it!  

God bless,
Becky