Puzzled

[marcia]

I have an 11 yr. old female cat. We live with my fiancee' and she does not like him at all. Every time she hears him stir or speak, she hisses and runs under a bed. She will not even come into the same room he is in. I don't understand her fear of him, as he has never done anything to her. Could she be sensing something about him that I can't sense?? Please help.

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Thank you,
Marcia

[suepez]

Well, although I don't think there's any "proof", I do believe that cats are more finely tuned to people. I have heard stories about cats hating boyfriends who turn out to be bad people, or cheating on the cat's owner...stuff like that.

HOWEVER, this doesn't mean that your fiance is evil or cheating!! It may simply be that he has a scent on him that the cat doesn't like, or perhaps it's simply a matter of having new competition for your attention. If this living situation is new to the cat then I'll bet she just is threatened by your fiance. I would suggest just giving your cat extra affection, and slowly having your fiance do the same. Maybe he can start by giving treats when she's good, or when she doesn't hiss at him. Have him try to play with her, feed her, all the normal owner activities so that she associates him with good things.

good luck!!

[sassykat2567]

hey!! your kitty is probably so used to just having you around, that she thinks your fiancee' is trying to steal you. that's becasue she is pretty old. i agree with suepez, when she says you just need to make sure and give your kitty extra special attention, and try to have her deal with your fiancee very slowly. patience is EXTREMELY important when you deal with cats. they do not like to be rushed into anything.

[Garfield]

Marcia, how is everything going with your cat and fiancee?

[marcia]

Garfield........The situation with my kitty and my fiancee' is the same, if not worse. She refuses to warm up to him. She hisses and growls at the mere sound of his footsteps, so when he hears her, he does the same back to her and even though I have TRIED to explain to him that she is not used to him, he insists on acting this way toward her. He is allergic to animals and was not raised with animals and has no understanding of them at all. I do pay plenty of attention to my kitty.....Her and I are very close. Thank you for your concern.

[Garfield]

Oh dear... so sorry that your cat and your fiancee still ain't getting along well.

Perhaps your fiancee just isn't used to having pets around, thus feeling very uncomfortable with them around.
And likewise, since your fiancee doesn't like having pets around, your cat is giving him the same treatment as what your fiancee is giving to your cat.
I think this is the "Cold War" between them. http://petshub.com/ubb/frown.gif

But i think just as long as they don't harm each other and have their own space, it should be alright.

[Robbie]

Hi Marcia,

Did you and your cat move house to live with your fiancee or did he move in with you? I think it's a good idea if your fiancee is the one to feed your cat- always if possible. The way to a cats heart is definitely via its stomach!

I have a cat and when my husband moved in with me he was always the one to feed her as he got up first in the morning and then in the evening he would come home first so he would feed her again. After a while I realised that she would always choose to sit with him when we were both sitting on the couch.

I think your kitty will have no choice but to like your fiancee if he is the one always feeding her.
Good luck!

[sassykat2567]

hey marcia! make sure you keep telling your fiancee' NOT to yell back at your cat. believe me, it will make her hate him worse! kitty is not used to your fiancee' and may never be, considering her age. like i said b4, PATIENCE. make sure and post an update!

[Garfield]

Marcia, no worries. You have all our support that your cat and your fiancee will get along.

Just like what sassykat2567 mentioned, please post an update.

Cheers!