Do Cats Feel Threatened

[queenofmean]

My cat Henry is normally a people puss. He is fine when relatives come to visit or when my friends come round. He can't get enough attention. He is very much a 'mummy's boy' and when I am not at home he pines/acts up until I return. Now... last week my friend (female) came to stay and he was all over her and came into my room as normal everything was peachy. On Friday my boyfriend came to stay and he went home today. Henry wouldn't come near me or my OH wouldn't stay in the same room and if he did he was hiding under the coffee table he wouldn't even come into my room he would slink along, realise OH was in my room and belt it down to the coffee table. Now he has gone I'm all that's good again? Does he feel threatened by my BF?

[tonyav]

He's jealous, Queeny.

[boxtops]

I'd say yes, something is scaring him. It could be anything though - even the smell of his aftershave, or whether he is wearing boots, or is (not being rude) quite loud.... My sister was here a few weeks back, and my timid cat, who really doesn't like strangers, was very much at home with her - my nephew's staying this week, and No.1 Son won't come in the living room at all, he's hiding out in the garden most of the time. Rover's all over my nephew, so it's very much an individual cat thing.

[queenofmean]

I don't understand why though tony, he's my bubba

[pixie373]

Cats always feel threatened. I'm sure they'll get used to each other. Glad it seems to be going well, queenie. Did you say you have job interviews coming up, too?

[boxtops]

Nah, not jealousy, tony - it's probably pheromones. Try getting a Feliway plug-in, QOM - plug it in for a couple of days before your OH stays, next time.

[queenofmean]

thank you boxy - I never thought about the aftershave thing. He does wear boots but I wear mine frequently but he isn't loud. I think you might be right though on the aftershave front though. I will see how he goes though

[tonyav]

I know, Queenie only joshing. Our cat can be like that sometimes, she will run off and hide in the garden if certain people come to visit.

[queenofmean]

Will give it a bash Boxy thank you :)

Pixie - it does seem to be going well - I got quite spoiled this weekend. All the others (Teddy not included) were fine with him. I had one on Friday and I have another on Tuesday but I haven't heard back from one and I think the other may have just received my CV and letter - so will see what happens

[anneasquith]

hes being a drama queen ( the cat, not the oh )

[queenofmean]

LOL anne - that made me laugh :)

[pixie373]

Good luck with those, queenie x
how many times has the cat seen him? If we go into new clients with cats, it often takes three or four visits until they realise we won't bite off their heads.

[pixie373]

The cats! Not the clients.

[queenofmean]

Thank you Pixie :)

It was just this weekend. Met the parents and the cats. I guess he may be a regular visitor so hopefully he will come round :)

[tonyav]

I guess he may be a regular visitor so hopefully he will come round :)



He probably will once he gets used to him, Queenie.

[queenofmean]

Fingers crossed Tony :)

[tonyav]

Queenie, ask your boyfriend not to wear any aftershave on his next visit, see if Henry acts any differently.

[queenofmean]

Will do :)

[Tuvok]

If you have Sky, look for "My Cat from Hell" - I think its on Animal Planet.

It might give you ideas.

[ducksie]

I must say, I don't know how the cat next door doesn't feel threatened by me, I'd never hurt her, but I don't like cats, yet she comes into my house, tail up straight and is as happy as can be, I hunt her out but she makes her way back in again showing off, laying on her back and purring away, she's lucky...the Walter mitty in me wants to give her a good boot in the behind, but I wouldn't hurt an animal.

[ferlew]

Not sure about 'threatened', a lot of guys are just not cat people.
Maybe he senses that. Mine know when they are not appreciated.