Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have two questions to ask... first, let me start out by saying I LOVE MY CAT! She doesnt hiss at anything, she isnt aggressive and shes affectionate.. so i am a very lucky owner

1- at night usually, when everyone is busy or trying to do something, my cat meows CONSTANTLY. i dont know if she wants to play or if she wants affection. My cat is about 3 1/2 and going on 4 in sept. what could she possibly want?

2- when we got libby she was about 6 months old, and she was fine around strangers and didnt mind my friends coming over. Once we had just gotten back from the vet and my friend came over. Libby had just gotten shots in the neck for rabies or something like that that, so im guessing she was pretty sore. My friend, like the genius that she is, told me that it was okay to pick up the cat by the skin in her neck. Which i already know that kittens are held that way, but i told her no, because she was so much older. she did it anyway like an idiot. My cat started screaming and ran away, and she hasnt liked ppl since. I dont know if i can change that, but if i could, what could i do?
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one pretty kitty- Libby

Your cat is probably meowing for attention - and play could be part of it. You could try "rewarding" her for quiet. For instance when she is quiet for a minute, go pet her and say "good, quiet." After a few days of that increase the time to two minutes and keep increasing. She might learn that silence will get more attention than meowing. When she does meow don't look at her directly, don't speak to her or give her attention.

Your cat was obviously traumatized by being picked up when she was so sore. She might not ever really adapt to strangers. However you could try having a friend come over and sit in the same room with both of you - she'll probably be under a bed. Have your friend gently toss a treat towards her hiding place. If she comes out to retrieve it, be sure your friend doesn't look at the cat, but appears to be busy doing something else like reading or playing with the computer. After a few times, she may start to associate strangers with treats and be a little more relaxed around them.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!