My cat is traumatised - how, why, what do I do?

[hester]

My cat has had a personality change this week. He is usually sweet-natured, docile, a bit stupid, flops around sleeping a lot then goes out to eat some bees. A happy cat.

For the last three days he has been the unhappiest-looking cat I have ever seen. He's kind of creeping round the house rather than walking, looking scared. He's not coming to me for his usual nighttime cuddle. The slightest noise makes him leap across the room in fear. His eyes are all big and sad-looking. He seems reluctant to go in the garden, and prefers it if we go out with him. Honestly, I've never seen a cat look so much like he is not enjoying life. I may be projecting, but I wonder if he's had some kind of traumatic incident outdoors - encounter with a fox?

What do I do? Lots of tlc and hope it will die down? Visit to the vet to rule out any health issue?

He is free to come and go by the way - we have catflaps. He is 13 months old.

[sam2cats]

Oh dear poor moggy, maybe you could take him to the vets for a quick check just to make sure there is no underlying problem that is causing him distress. Then, if all is clear you could get a feliway diffuser which is meant to release feel good cat pheromones, and maybe keep him in for a few days with a litter box so that he regains his confidence. Then let him out again when he seems restored perhaps going with him at first......hope he feels better...

[hester]

Thanks sam2cats, I am very intrigued by this feliway diffuser - a machine that makes cats happy? Do they do a version for mothers?

Am off to google...

[AmyStake]

I was just about to say foxes or perhaps a wandering tom cat. Sam2cats said it best though, always best to get him checked at the vets first :)

[AmyStake]

Oh with regards to a possible tom cat, do you have a cat flap? If so, is it magnetic? Tom cat/feral cat might be coming in your house and eating your food! We had that a few times. If it was a tom cat though you'd be able to smell him. Yuk!

[hester]

Yes, we have a cat flap, not a magnetic one. I think you may be onto something, Amy. Cat was very well fed - tendency to a bit too well fed, I'd say - but has got a bit thin lately despite me feeding him well. And quite a few times I have heard the cat flap go when cat was with me. By the time I get out there (to utility room) it's always empty, but they would hear me coming.

Loads of foxes here - I often see them in the back garden.

Thanks so much both of you. Tonight cat is more jittery than ever, really trembling. i think I'll pop in at the vet tomorrow and make an appointment. I'm worrying about him more than about the children, so time to take action.

[BumbleBo]

Hi hester, I think I am a bit late for answering...but just wanted to say that I have 4 cats and have often used animal communicators for their various problems and have found them great. All they need is a photo of your cat (clear one of their face), they use telepathic communication (I know most people - including me at first - think this is crazy, but it DOES work!)
Here is a communicator I used who is from Seattle, her prices are really resonable.
www.dvanimalcommunicator.com/