New cat does not like us walking by the couch

[Anonymous]

We got a new cat about two weeks ago. He's about a year old, and has been rehomed at least twice--the previous owner only had him a few months but then she got sick and couldn't care for him anymore. He is still settling in, obviously, but he seems to have developed a particular dislike for us walking by the couch. He will run and jump at us, and act like he is about to claw. This is particularly upsetting to my 6 yo DD, since she's much closer to his level. Any tips on getting him a little calmer? Clearly he feels like something is threatening him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got a new cat about two weeks ago. He's about a year old, and has been rehomed at least twice--the previous owner only had him a few months but then she got sick and couldn't care for him anymore. He is still settling in, obviously, but he seems to have developed a particular dislike for us walking by the couch. He will run and jump at us, and act like he is about to claw. This is particularly upsetting to my 6 yo DD, since she's much closer to his level. Any tips on getting him a little calmer? Clearly he feels like something is threatening him.

Trim his nails so that if he does claw someone it won't do as much damage. Spend a lot of time sitting on the couch and feeding him treats for being a good kitty. Ignore all threatening behavior completely. Eventually he will settle in.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, get rid of the cat. It's crazy behavior is probably the main reason why it's been rehomed twice.

[Anonymous]

That is not good. Its territorial aggression. I would spray him with water and say "no".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, get rid of the cat. It's crazy behavior is probably the main reason why it's been rehomed twice.

No, his last owner had a stroke. She would have kept him otherwise. He’s very nice otherwise, just feels a bit territorial around the couch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, get rid of the cat. It's crazy behavior is probably the main reason why it's been rehomed twice.

No, his last owner had a stroke. She would have kept him otherwise. He’s very nice otherwise, just feels a bit territorial around the couch.

Its not his couch and your kid needs to be safe. What if the cat decides its his bed (the kids bed) or his counter top (in the kitchen). you need to deal asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got a new cat about two weeks ago. He's about a year old, and has been rehomed at least twice--the previous owner only had him a few months but then she got sick and couldn't care for him anymore. He is still settling in, obviously, but he seems to have developed a particular dislike for us walking by the couch. He will run and jump at us, and act like he is about to claw. This is particularly upsetting to my 6 yo DD, since she's much closer to his level. Any tips on getting him a little calmer? Clearly he feels like something is threatening him.

Trim his nails so that if he does claw someone it won't do as much damage. Spend a lot of time sitting on the couch and feeding him treats for being a good kitty. Ignore all threatening behavior completely. Eventually he will settle in.

Good idea, we tend to avoid the area but basically smother him with kindness is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is not good. Its territorial aggression. I would spray him with water and say "no".

Yes, we have the water bottle handy too,

[Anonymous]

He's still adjusting to you, he probably feels insecure since everything is new and he's been in different homes/ back to the shelter- that's a lot of change. He probably feels safest on the couch. I would sit on the couch maybe once a day for a week. Then twice/ day for the next week. Then see how it goes. Hopefully he will begin feeling comfortable and start to relax/ settle in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's still adjusting to you, he probably feels insecure since everything is new and he's been in different homes/ back to the shelter- that's a lot of change. He probably feels safest on the couch. I would sit on the couch maybe once a day for a week. Then twice/ day for the next week. Then see how it goes. Hopefully he will begin feeling comfortable and start to relax/ settle in.

I'm PP. Also I would talk to the cat a lot, look at him, but not try to approach or touch him while you're on the couch. Just let him get used to everything at his own pace. He'll settle down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's still adjusting to you, he probably feels insecure since everything is new and he's been in different homes/ back to the shelter- that's a lot of change. He probably feels safest on the couch. I would sit on the couch maybe once a day for a week. Then twice/ day for the next week. Then see how it goes. Hopefully he will begin feeling comfortable and start to relax/ settle in.

I'm PP. Also I would talk to the cat a lot, look at him, but not try to approach or touch him while you're on the couch. Just let him get used to everything at his own pace. He'll settle down.

Yes, I’m sitting next to him right now. He’s calm. I did put cozy blankets on the couch, mostly to protect the couch. He’s calm now. He likes being near us, but I think my DD is a challenge for him. I don’t think he’s used to small children. I’ll probably have her sit with us on the couch this weekend.

[Anonymous]

Have your DD bring him a little bit of tuna or chicken on a plate. Have him associate wonderful things with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's still adjusting to you, he probably feels insecure since everything is new and he's been in different homes/ back to the shelter- that's a lot of change. He probably feels safest on the couch. I would sit on the couch maybe once a day for a week. Then twice/ day for the next week. Then see how it goes. Hopefully he will begin feeling comfortable and start to relax/ settle in.

I'm PP. Also I would talk to the cat a lot, look at him, but not try to approach or touch him while you're on the couch. Just let him get used to everything at his own pace. He'll settle down.

Yes, I’m sitting next to him right now. He’s calm. I did put cozy blankets on the couch, mostly to protect the couch. He’s calm now. He likes being near us, but I think my DD is a challenge for him. I don’t think he’s used to small children. I’ll probably have her sit with us on the couch this weekend.

This is all good stuff, OP! Do not spray water or yell or punish; instead do what you're doing to make the cat associate the couch with good things and the fact that when humans are on the couch, good stuff happens.

Have your DD wear an old tshirt all day and sleep in it so it has her scent, then have it on the couch with you and then you feed the cat treats ON that shirt for a day or so. After that have DD move to couch, shirt next to her, and only DD (not you or DH any more) feeds treats on the shirt, on the couch. Eventually you'll be able to wean off the shirt and treats altogether. The idea is for cat to associate DD's scent, then DD herself with DD + couch = happy place for cat.

Maybe get books by cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. He's amazing and always has good advice. He finds that most "bad behavior" stems from the animal feeling insecure and therefore defensive. It's all about making the cat feel secure and confident.