Cat is suddenly afraid of someone who she used to love (smells, food)
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My cat is very familiar with my mom. They got along great for years but now she immediately hides under the bed whenever my mom visits (which is about once per week). I'm positive that my mom has never hurt the cat in any way. The only negative association she might have is that my mom comes with me when I take my cat to the vet (which is only once or twice a year). My cat is not very sociable with people other than myself in general, but now she is friendlier with strangers than she is with my mom. Is there anything I can do to repair her trust in my mom? My mom is going to watch her when I go on vacation, so I'd like them to get along. Has anything similar ever happened with your cats where they just decided that they no longer like someone who they had previously been close to?
It is highly possible your cat is associating your mom with a vet trip. Has your mom had any changes that your kitty might smell--adding a new pet to her household, for instance?
I'd suggest your mom visit several times before your vacation, if that's possible. Have your mom give her treats, talk to her, feed her, etc.
It is highly possible your cat is associating your mom with a vet trip. Has your mom had any changes that your kitty might smell--adding a new pet to her household, for instance?
I'd suggest your mom visit several times before your vacation, if that's possible. Have your mom give her treats, talk to her, feed her, etc.
Agree that's a likely scenario. I flea treat my sisters' cat once a month, and whenever I go over there, the cat will tend to hide initially when she hears my voice (whether I flea treat her or not). She eventually gets over it, and will come around for pets later. She's associating my voice with something she doesn't like. Your cat may be doing the same thing.
Like Rene suggested, have your Mom spend as much time/interaction with your cat as possible (treats, play time, etc.), so the cat will relate only good things with your Mom's presence.
That's assuming, of course, that there isn't anything about your Mom that's changed resulting in a different scent. Something like that could also cause the cat to react as you described.
Thanks, I'll try your suggestions. I know my cat hates going to the vet, but I'm surprised she's holding a grudge against my mom over it. My mom used to be her second favorite person along with me!
Since it appears your mother has always been part of the vet trips, and she comes over every week, I doubt this is the issue. It is more likely there is something about your mother that has changed and caused your cat to view her as a stranger.
And I would guess it is scent related. Either your mother has changed something, her laundry detergent, perfume, deodorant, or she has been spending time with other animals (?)or perhaps is some health issue going on that she is not aware of, OR she is taking a new medication?
Cats function largely by scent, and I think it is quite likely your mother's scent has changed.
You and she need to talk about any changes that have happened in your mother's life. Even the most minuscule thing. And then, ask her to come over more than once a week and have her come in and just sit quietly for a couple of hours, giving kitty enough time to get his bravery and curiosity back and to venture out.
Once he shows signs of relaxing, start leaving for a little while, with her still there. Ideally at a meal time so she will be the one to feed him.
PS Get a bottle of feliway spray and have your mother spray her hands and arms before coming in.
Last edited by catsmom21; 08-04-2016 at 08:02 PM..
Since it appears your mother has always been part of the vet trips, and she comes over every week, I doubt this is the issue. It is more likely there is something about your mother that has changed and caused your cat to view her as a stranger.
And I would guess it is scent related. Either your mother has changed something, her laundry detergent, perfume, deodorant, or she has been spending time with other animals (?)or perhaps is some health issue going on that she is not aware of, OR she is taking a new medication?
Cats function largely by scent, and I think it is quite likely your mother's scent has changed.
You and she need to talk about any changes that have happened in your mother's life. Even the most minuscule thing. And then, ask her to come over more than once a week and have her come in and just sit quietly for a couple of hours, giving kitty enough time to get his bravery and curiosity back and to venture out.
Once he shows signs of relaxing, start leaving for a little while, with her still there. Ideally at a meal time so she will be the one to feed him.
PS Get a bottle of feliway spray and have your mother spray her hands and arms before coming in.
My mom wears perfume and she does spend time with another relative who has a cat, but she doesn't have any pets of her own. I suggested to her a few days ago that we could try leaving one of her clothing items at my house, so that the cat is used to having her scent around. But still, I think the cat is just afraid of her for some reason.
Maybe there's something wrong with your mother? Like....cancer
Cancer has a distinct smell we can detect in the later stages, but not in he earliest stages. Cats and dogs, OTH, have been known to detect such smells much earlier. Also, cats can "smell" diabetes. Does your mother have any health issues? Perhaps she needs a check-up?
Another thought---get you mom some lavender-scented perfume, hand cream, etc. Lavender is known to be soothing to cats.
Maybe there's something wrong with your mother? Like....cancer
Cancer has a distinct smell we can detect in the later stages, but not in he earliest stages. Cats and dogs, OTH, have been known to detect such smells much earlier. Also, cats can "smell" diabetes. Does your mother have any health issues? Perhaps she needs a check-up?
Another thought---get you mom some lavender-scented perfume, hand cream, etc. Lavender is known to be soothing to cats.
She doesn't have any health issues that I'm aware of, but thanks for the horrible suggestion.
Your cat doesn't have to like your Mom for her to be able to watch her for you. Cats can be very moody in my experience.
My cat started hating me after my extended absence with employment (several months) and bonded with my husband when he moved ahead to another city for a job. I moved as planned some months later to join my husband in our new location, and my cat totally ignored me for almost a year, until we moved into a new home.
It was very strange, but I think moving upset some sort of hierarchy and I was back to being her favorite person. So, it could be any new change that your cat associates now with your Mom.
Paladosa has a very good suggestion. Have Mom feed her often.
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