My family has a two-year-old female cat that was always very sweet and energetic…
I suspect she’s hissing at your dad because she associates him with the “bad experience” of the plastic bag. I’d urge you to print out this note and ask your dad to read it, so maybe he’ll understand what’s going on here. He’s got to feel pretty aggravated by her behavior, and maybe it’ll help him to understand she is NOT being vindictive. Are four-year-old human toddlers “misbehaving” when they play? Certainly not–she’s just being a normal cat. But for her to get along with your dad she needs some legal places and times to play that won’t bother him so much. It’s your dad’s house too.
Think of it this way–what if you landed in a foreign country, couldn’t speak the language, and people only shouted at you? Would somebody yelling at you in a foreign language make you understand the words any better? Of course not. And what if you fell into some scary trap and one of those yelling strangers got you out–would you be grateful or still feel scared of the stranger and avoid and tell them to “keep away” whenever they got too near?
Hisses mean “get away, I’m scared.” Your cat is scared of your dad, even if he never meant that to happen. How much does this kitty weigh? Compare that to your dad, a big man with a voice and heavy footsteps that can be very scary to a little cat. That’s why cats like high places–to get out from under feet, sit on a high safe place, and look out for scary “monsters.”
Here’s what I’d suggest. Create some “legal” high places for her to get up off the ground–make them higher than the counters or tables and she’ll go there. A cat tree or just an empty bookcase shelf will work. You will not keep her off high places, so you MUST give her a legal place so she’ll leave the forbidden spots alone. Ask your dad if there’s one room in the house that you can set up for the cat at night with litter box and toys, so that the kitty can play and have fun but won’t bother him. You can also try playing with a fishing pole toy before you go to bed to try and wear out the cat’s energy so she’ll sleep better. If your dad’s willing to try playing with her (using the long distance toy), this kitty may even learn to like him again, and stop hissing. Good luck!
Original post by Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai and software by Elliott Back
