Is my cat schizophrenic? (Strange behavior)

Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.

"Jamie Gareth" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what
I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no
longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away
from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.

They all have different personalities. What was your cat's background?
My sweetest cat was apparently feral and rehabilitated at a shelter,
but she still runs from me and from everyone most of the time. It is
like a reflex. Then sometimes she comes to me because she wants to be
petted; or she climbs on top of me when I'm sleeping and peers at me
until I wake and talk to her and pet her. She adores affection, but on
her terms.

Cats are complicated when compared with, say, dogs. They are
independent and quirky and have their own minds. Quixotic is a good
term for them at times. I'm not sure my cat is honestly afraid of me,
and I imagine yours isn't either. They are all about instinct--lots of
hind brain and not much forebrain.They do change and seem to turn on a
dime. Maybe it is because we are such big animals, and clearly
dominant. (We control the food, for one thing.) I don't think you cat
is abnormal--just perfectly unique like every other!

"Jamie Gareth" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what
I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no
longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away
from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.

They all have different personalities. What was your cat's background?
My sweetest cat was apparently feral and rehabilitated at a shelter,
but she still runs from me and from everyone most of the time. It is
like a reflex. Then sometimes she comes to me because she wants to be
petted; or she climbs on top of me when I'm sleeping and peers at me
until I wake and talk to her and pet her. She adores affection, but on
her terms.

Cats are complicated when compared with, say, dogs. They are
independent and quirky and have their own minds. Quixotic is a good
term for them at times. I'm not sure my cat is honestly afraid of me,
and I imagine yours isn't either. They are all about instinct--lots of
hind brain and not much forebrain.They do change and seem to turn on a
dime. Maybe it is because we are such big animals, and clearly
dominant. (We control the food, for one thing.) I don't think you cat
is abnormal--just perfectly unique like every other!

On 9 Dec 2003 23:18:25 -0800, (Jamie Gareth) wrote:

Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.
It sounds to me like you play too rough. You cannot play with a cat
the way you play with a dog. You need to be gentle. Go to the pet
store and buy a book or two on cats -- or the public library should
have a good choice. The more YOU learn about cats, the better off you
will be and you will enjoy the car much more. Good luck to you and
the cat.

On 9 Dec 2003 23:18:25 -0800, (Jamie Gareth) wrote:

Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.
It sounds to me like you play too rough. You cannot play with a cat
the way you play with a dog. You need to be gentle. Go to the pet
store and buy a book or two on cats -- or the public library should
have a good choice. The more YOU learn about cats, the better off you
will be and you will enjoy the car much more. Good luck to you and
the cat.

My cat is about 2yrs old and she's the same. I think it's just "playing"
behaviour. She does it especially after eating for some reason. I believe
it's just there way of letting off steam. If you watch kittens they are the
same, always jumping and play fighting with each other, and even though your
cat is 1½ that's still young for a cat.

Jeannie
"Jamie Gareth" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.

My cat is about 2yrs old and she's the same. I think it's just "playing"
behaviour. She does it especially after eating for some reason. I believe
it's just there way of letting off steam. If you watch kittens they are the
same, always jumping and play fighting with each other, and even though your
cat is 1½ that's still young for a cat.

Jeannie
"Jamie Gareth" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.

I have several ferals I am taming down, as opposed to cats who have been
around people all their lives. It's been my observation that some cats
who have not been around humans as kittens never completely lose that
"feral edge." They often make great pets if you can overlook the little
behavioral nuances.

--
Rich

End PA property taxes:
http://www.grandoldusa.com/
"Jeannie" wrote in message
...
My cat is about 2yrs old and she's the same. I think it's just
"playing"
behaviour. She does it especially after eating for some reason. I
believe
it's just there way of letting off steam. If you watch kittens they
are the
same, always jumping and play fighting with each other, and even
though your
cat is 1½ that's still young for a cat.

Jeannie
"Jamie Gareth" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what
I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no
longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away
from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.

I have several ferals I am taming down, as opposed to cats who have been
around people all their lives. It's been my observation that some cats
who have not been around humans as kittens never completely lose that
"feral edge." They often make great pets if you can overlook the little
behavioral nuances.

--
Rich

End PA property taxes:
http://www.grandoldusa.com/
"Jeannie" wrote in message
...
My cat is about 2yrs old and she's the same. I think it's just
"playing"
behaviour. She does it especially after eating for some reason. I
believe
it's just there way of letting off steam. If you watch kittens they
are the
same, always jumping and play fighting with each other, and even
though your
cat is 1½ that's still young for a cat.

Jeannie
"Jamie Gareth" wrote in message
om...
Hello All,

I'm new to the cat game and to this newsgroup so forgive me if what
I
ask seems obvious or overasked. My cat is about 1 1/2 years old now
and exhibits strange behaviors. One moment he'll seek out my company
and rub up against me or sleep in my lap and the next moment he's
almost afraid of me, running away from me, hiding, and nipping at my
hands if I try to pick him up. It's almost as if he has multiple
personalities.

I've heard that kittens sometimes act this way but my cat is no
longer
a kitten. Furthermore it's disconcerting to have the cat run away
from
me and be afraid when all I've done is try to show him affection.
Please help.