| First, rule out physical problems....as you are wisely planning to do. I
know this can be expensive, but if the behavior change is strong enough, I
would rule out endocrine problems by getting some blood work done. Your
vet and you will have to work together to decide how deeply to dig. I know
that I spent $175.00 on Nick last year to rule out ANY possible physical
reason for his loss of weight before we concluded that he simply
cannot take lots of activity or much change in his environment....he is
simply a brain-damaged baby and suffers sensory overload very easily.
Once physical reasons have been ruled out, you must examine the environment.
If your cat is allowed outdoors, that means that you must examine the whole
neighborhood for up to 4-5 miles around the home for changes....not really
possible. If you feel you are "losing" your normal, loving cat, I strongly
suggest you keep the cat in for at least a few weeks and see if the behavior
changes back to what you desire. This will tell you that something in
his/her territory is stressing and/or threatening your cat, forcing a
change in personality. It can be something very simple and very hard for
you to identify, but if not dealt with, it can force your cat away from
human contact. They can turn feral very easily when allowed outdoors AND
stressed in their environment. Especially difficult to determine, but
quite often the cause of these problems, can be behavior of other adults
and/or children in your cat's territory. There are alot of people who don't
like or want cats in their yards out there, and if your cat is being
chased away from an area like a bird feeder or garden where he/she is NOT
a welcome guest, or harrassed/chased by children and/or dogs, then you may see
definite changes in her/his behavior. This kind of stress is common and
can affect permanent changes in the cat's personality.
If your cat is indoor-only, you have less territory to search for clues.
Things to look for are:
1) New art work on the walls (yes, even a strongly colored
picture on a wall can throw a cat into a tizzy)...if this
is the case, moving the picture to a less obvious location
may solve the problem. If that is not possible, then
simply wait it out. As long as your cat HAS to adapt to
the NEW thing because she/he cannot leave the house, it
will eventually become "normal" to the cat and be accepted.
2) A change in the smell of the house - due to different
household cleaning/scenting chemicals, different foliage
in and around the house, dirty heater filters in the
furnace. A cat lives in a world of smells. Sometimes,
NEW smells can raise the level of anxiety and bring on
personality changes. Again, as long as the cat is indoor-only,
adaptation is necessary and will eventually occur. If it
is something you can change, do so....especially the dirty
furnace filters - that's bad for YOU.
3) Mild changes in diet, schedule, brand of litter, YOUR
schedule, or a change in the level of activity in the
house....how many people come and go in an average day.
If this is the case, then change back what you can and
simply ride out the other things. Again, if the cat
must adapt, she/he will.
Most important, don't change your attention to the cat. If allowed to live
away from human contact, cats very quickly learn to survive without it.
They are never really tamed, you see, just "gentled" by our presence in their
lives.
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| Lynne-
I just got back from the vet......and he suggested I leave her alone
for a week, and then gradually add more contact. I should keep her
schedule the same (goes out and comes in as usual).....not to change
anything, basicially. He will perscribe Kitty valium if the situation
does not get any better.
It sounds like you may have somethig a little different, so I guess
your vet will be the best source for info.
Good luck, and I hope you can get to the bottom of your situation....I
only hope mine is solved (previous note ;^)
I'll be waiting to hear what your vet says.....
Michele & Nippa
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