GO!

I'm a bit jealous. Help?

This is a place to gain some understanding of cat behavior and to assist people in training their cats and dealing with common behavior problems, regardless of the method(s) used. Keep in mind that you may be receiving advice from other cat owners and lovers...not professionals. If you have a major problem, always seek the advice of a trainer or behaviorist!

  
Link

1218758
 
 
Purred: Tue Nov 22, '11 11:35pm PST 
I recently adopted my first cat last weekend. So far he's adjusting very well to his new home. I've made it clear that he's mine and will be my responsibility. Right now I'm trying to bond with him. It's hard since he's not too interested in toys or some of the treats I've tried.

I pet him and give him attention when he comes to me, but lately he's been showing affection to everyone else, namely my boyfriend and my roommate's girlfriend. And honestly, I'm a bit jealous by the fact that he seems much more interested in them even though they take no part in caring for him. I feel like he only comes to me as a last resort or if he's hungry.

Right now I'm just trying to figure out what's going on. My roommate has the smallest bedroom in the house, which gets a lot warmer a lot faster than the others. Maybe that's why he likes to be in there with them.

True, it's only been a few days and he's probably still getting adjusted. But does anyone have any similar stories or have any advice to help me with my bonding. Do you think that I give him too much attention and therefore he doesn't like me that much? I don't know. I just want him to like me so that we can bond together.
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Leo

purrrr
 
 
Purred: Wed Nov 23, '11 5:55am PST 
Congratulations on your first cat! Link is an orange tabby and they have a reputation for being very friendly, almost dog-like. So I'm not surprised he's bonding with everyone. Don't worry. If you're the one who feeds him he knows you're special. Cats do also tend to gravitate toward people who are less interested in them at times. (It's why they will go straight to the person in the room who is allergic.) I think they feel less threatened by the people who are not seeking them out and making eye contact with them. But with Link being an orange tabby he might just be wanting to make lots of friends.

I know you said he's not interested in toys, but have you tried the wand or fishing pole type toys (or even a shoestring) that you can drag around for him to "hunt." I've never met a cat who didn't like that type of play. And I find it a great bonding time with my cats (since they have to have me to play it.) They will lead me to the closet where the wand toys are...requesting playtime with me.

Good luck with Link. He sounds like a sweetie.
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Abbi

Chunk
 
 
Purred: Wed Nov 23, '11 7:03am PST 
Abbi was like that when we adopted her 10 years ago, she was 6 years old then. I gained her trust by sitting next to her and offering treats from my closed hand. She took a little while to get the message but now she hardly leaves me and is snuggled up next to me as I type. It won't happen overnight but is lovely when they trust you.
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Link

1218758
 
 
Purred: Wed Nov 23, '11 2:20pm PST 
Thank you for your responses, I'll try to not overwhelm him with affection and see if he just needs some space. I haven't gotten one of those toy sticks although we have tied a catnip mouse on the end of a string and let him play with that. Sometimes he's interested, sometimes he's not. I'm also trying to find out what treats he likes. So far he's not interested in the crunchy type.
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Abbi

Chunk
 
 
Purred: Thu Nov 24, '11 10:58pm PST 
I get cat sticks for mine most of the time, they are semi moist and you can beak them into small pieces easily, try those, broken into tiny pieces and held in your hand, as they warm up he will smell it. Just give one tiny bit at a time, let him sniff your hand holding it first, he will get the mess age. Good luck and let us know what happens.
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MILO BLUE- EYES DB# 73A

Bluest Eyes In- TEXAS
 
 
Purred: Sat Dec 3, '11 5:31am PST 
wave Hi LINK!~ Nice to meet ya!~ I am somewhat o' an orangie meself! I wasn't a kitten when mommy got me, 'bout 11 months or so. I don't really like crunchy treats, but I don't really like people's foodage either. Picky? Maybe, but we all kits r different. Takes time, momcat sez. Ya know's what? I really love's Tempation soft treats best! 'n I am not big on wet foodage although I does like da gravy! Yummy gravy!~ dancingway to goDat's so kewl U really like other's! Don't feel jealous mom!~ Sometimes jus' take a bit o' time to get used to everythin' 'n a new home~ Link love's u, sounds like jus' lots goin' on 'round him!~ My furvurite game iz playin' unner da covers! I love fresh sheets 'n watch 'em flyin' into da air!!!big grincheer I hope Ur mommy enjoys play time 'n encouragin' U coz us kits r really fun to watch! MOL! I got a new kitten fursis a few weeks back, so I gotta be on me's toes now!!! happy dance Her kin'a fell into mom's lap! I get's jealous sometimes too! Oh boy, time to go outside 'n purrlay now!! Purrs on!hug
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