Why does my new cat swat me when I try to pet him after rubbing?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats, like people, have different personalities; some are very sociable and always want to cuddle, while others can be more reserved and independent. It may be partly personality contributing to his behavior, as well as adjusting to his new environment. A pheromone collar (they can be found on amazon, such as nurturecalm) may be a good option instead of feliway spray, as it is a continuous release for a full month. While the response is variable among cats, it is definitely something I would recommend giving a try. Additionally, if there is a type of treat that Vin really enjoys, I would recommend putting some down by you when you are sitting on the couch watching TV, etc. When he comes to eat them, don't force an interaction, but allow him to nibble on them and then decide where he wants to go. Over time, they can be moved closer and closer to you to encourage him to be more comfortable in close proximity. When he seems playful, play with him with a toy, etc and then allow him to leave when he is done. If he is on a feeding schedule, get his attention by opening a can or shaking food into his bowl, allow him to stand next to you and have a short interaction before you set it down. If he still seems uncomfortable after these suggestions, I would recommend either setting up a consult or reaching out to your regular veterinarian for further advice. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! On your end, I would recommend that you discourage this behavior as much as possible when you see it by saying no firmly. With persistence and consistency, he is likely going to improve overtime. Sometimes a product called Feliway can help make cats feel more at ease when they are feeling stressed and this may help with your kitty. You can get that online or at your local pet store. Best of luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly because she smells differently. I recommend a product called Feliway which can help decrease stress and anxiety associated with environmental changes and stressors. You may find this online or at your local pet store. It usually works great in this type of scenarios. Good luck and have a great day!

Congratulations on your new kitten! Sometimes it takes a while to gain their trust. Try to get him to play as this will help him to bond with you. Make sure to put the toys away after the play session so that they remain fresh in his mind and always associated with you. Sit quietly near him at mealtime and gradually work up to petting him or hand feeding him. Feliway does help and I recommend to use this product but it will not alter his behavior on its own. Make sure to provide an area for climbing such as a tall cat tree or shelves as this will help to satisfy his natural instinct and decrease stress. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

He s so happy that he is petted and loved on that he gets very excited and the biting and swatting is a sign of Uebersprung, ie it is the only way he knows to get rid of the overstimulation. The way to reduce that is to pet him to the point where you notice that he gets excited, ie a tiny flick of the tail, for example, and then stop and give him a chance to come down again. It can take a long time to get him to the point where he will not do the biting or swatting at all, however it does work. I had a tom like that who would even bite my head at night, because he was sooo happy lying next to me, purring for hours. It took about a year before he could be petted and held for a long time before biting. He will need to be adopted out to a home with very experienced cat owners who do not mistake this as viciousness. It basically takes observation skills and the ability to stop petting him in time.

Be patient. He hasn’t been with you that long. It may take several more months for him to relax in your home. I do recommend sitting quietly and ignoring him. Cats are curious and when you’re not paying any attention to him he may get curious and come out to find out why. Sometimes they need to be the ones to initiate contact and this trust building will take time. You’ve done a great job so far and the feliway will help also. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Blue.

He may be experiencing some stress and anxiety from having another cat in the house. You could try Feliway Spray or a diffuser and see if that helps. You could also try Solliquin and see if that helps. If he is still having issues than your vet could prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, like Prozac. http://www.feliway.com/us/#redirected http://www.solliquin.com/