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Our first cat, Cruiser was a good kitty. We got her as a kitten. I think they are just more socialized when you get them as kittens. She developed thyroid issues but I was able to medicate her easily with a compounded tuna flavored liquid.. She was a really smart kitty and affectionate. We had her for 17 years
We had Mozie (a stray) who had urinary infections, needed special food, had to put her on a diet, she was too heavy to groom herself properly. We got her down from 15 pounds to 11. She wasn't the brightest of our cats, and it was a pain to medicate her (which we did often for those infections), but we got it done. She liked people. We had her for 15 years.
Then came Thelma. Our sweet shelter kitty. She wasn't all that social, but after a few months, she would sit on our laps as long as we had a blanket over our lap. Never figured that out. She slept with us, and though she didn't like being held, she was affectionate. Mostly on her terms, but she knew our routines and often followed Rick around like a puppy. We had very few health issues with her, but lost her at age 11 to cancer.
And after having a cat around for 30 years, when we lost Thelma we said, "no more cats." But, we looked for another kitty needing a home. Morgan.....yes, the cat I can hardly pick up, makes me cancel vet appointments, runs and hides often when we approach her. She had a rough life previously, however, she does seem quite content here, but I swear, she's my last cat.....
I tried very hard to get a shelter dog before I got Ziggy. It was the saddest thing ever!! All those adult dogs and kitties at the shelter were just downright heartbreaking to see. I wonder what experiences little Morgan had before you gave her a home. I know too that Ziggy observes every move I make and knows immediately when I'm preparing to leave the house. Maybe Morgan is super observant and knows when you're getting ready to take her somewhere she doesn't really want to go.
I think you are right, Val! She was about three when we got her. According to the shelter, she showed up in someone's driveway. They took her in, but then they got a dog which really freighted her, and she spent a lot of time hiding in the closet. So she is just a fearful anxious kitty. With me trying to corral her into a cat carrier, she's goes on high alert.
She's quite happy sleeping next to the heating vent this morning. It's cold outside and the heat is on.
If I can get her to the vet next week for a nail trim, I'll talk to the tech for options. I even thought maybe if I could get her in a crate, and drop her at the vet, they could see her the next day as their schedule permits. Then again, she would not like being in one of their cages overnight......
Cats also have differences due to their heredity along with early socialization. My worst ever cat to catch for the vet was Zion, a fearful Siamese. He never outgrew it although I got him when he was 8 weeks old. A home breeder was selling Siamese cats purely for profit. I told her he was extremely skittish and she should have socialized the litter. My easiest cat ever was also a Siamese, Zoro. He would let you use the vacuum hose on his tummy. All four of my current cats hide when the vacuum is running.
Talia, my Bengal has traits from her ancestors, Asian Leopard Cats. She is forever watchful. She'll sit on me or lay on me in my bed but never relaxes enough to lay her head down. I know this because I've used my wildlife camera in my bedroom. She lets her guard down and sleeps in one of the three heated (in winter) cat beds.
11-30-2022, 04:04 PM
