Why is my cat acting out towards new people?

Question

We adopted our cat a year ago, and when we first got her she was very friendly with other cats at the shelter, and she was very friendly towards other people. Since then she has been very mean towards people by growling, hissing and nipping at them, and same towards other animals.

It hasn't been too big of a problem since she will normally go hide when we have people over, but my boyfriends' sister moved in with us and the cat is very mean towards her. She has been hissing and growling at her even when she is just in the same room as the cat.

What can we do to make her behavior better? Will she get used to the new person in the house after some time? I am afraid that the cat may at sometime bite, scratch or hurt her. What can I do?

Answer 1

It could be just a matter of feeling like its an invasion when others are around. Some cats are like that, with a few breeds having a high propencity for being territorial and possessive of just a select few people.

Answer 2

Is your cat spayed?  She's acting very territorially - are you spending less time with her?  Did the sister move in to the cat's room?

Does the sister spend time where there are other animals?  The scent would be very threatening to the cat.

You need to reassure the cat.  Hold her, pet her, speak soothingly to her, while YOU sit with the sister and talk or watch TV.  Hold her tight, securely, so she knows she's safe.  If she struggles TOO much, don't get hurt, let her go.  But you want her to associate you and happiness with the new resident.

Also, try rubbing some catnip on your hands, see if that calms her down.  If it does, have the sister do the same - and on her jeans too.  The cat will see her in a new light.

If the sister is spending time with other animals, she needs to change clothes when she comes in, and keep the clothes away from the cat.

Imagine being in a house with your boyfriend, and having him come home every day with different expensive perfumes wafting around him.  You can talk, the cat can't, you'd definitely have things to say, right?

Good luck.  This will take time, repetition, and therefore patience and cooperation from you and your roommates.

Answer 3

Try this and I hope it helps:

http://www.absolutelycats.com/22Kitty.ht...

Good Luck!