Anti-social cats

I've been doing rescue work for 8-9 years now and I've fostered a lot
of cats. I have sort of a reputation in my group for being able to
socialize difficult cases. I've socialized shy cats, angry cats, hurt
cats, frightened cats, and feral cats, but there is one category that
eludes me: Otherwise perfectly normal cats that simply have no
interest in human company. They are perfectly happy to hang around on
the fringes of human behavior, sit near me when I'm working, take food
from my hands, even walk over me to get from one place to another, but
have no interest in being petted, picked up, or sitting on a lap.

Any thoughts on what causes this, or how to fix it?

"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...
I've been doing rescue work for 8-9 years now and I've fostered a lot
of cats. I have sort of a reputation in my group for being able to
socialize difficult cases. I've socialized shy cats, angry cats, hurt
cats, frightened cats, and feral cats, but there is one category that
eludes me: Otherwise perfectly normal cats that simply have no
interest in human company. They are perfectly happy to hang around on
the fringes of human behavior, sit near me when I'm working, take food
from my hands, even walk over me to get from one place to another, but
have no interest in being petted, picked up, or sitting on a lap.

Any thoughts on what causes this, or how to fix it?

Not really. My only comment is that some cats are just like that - they all
have such different personalities. Sometimes it's breed specific behavior.

Maine Coons (which my Sammy probably has as 99.9999999999% of her ancestry,
going by appearances, although all four of mine are rescues) like to be in
the same room with you, "helping" in anything you do, but don't like to be
held.

Hugs,

CatNipped

Richard Evans wrote:
I've been doing rescue work for 8-9 years now and I've fostered a lot
of cats. I have sort of a reputation in my group for being able to
socialize difficult cases. I've socialized shy cats, angry cats, hurt
cats, frightened cats, and feral cats, but there is one category that
eludes me: Otherwise perfectly normal cats that simply have no
interest in human company. They are perfectly happy to hang around on
the fringes of human behavior, sit near me when I'm working, take food
from my hands, even walk over me to get from one place to another, but
have no interest in being petted, picked up, or sitting on a lap.

Any thoughts on what causes this, or how to fix it?

They just haven't had any better
They don't know what it's like

If hanging out feels good, wait till they get held, they will love
that.
Being held is like hanging out on steroids.

Ever notice the hungrier they get, the closer they get?

mmhmmm

"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...
I've been doing rescue work for 8-9 years now and I've fostered a lot
of cats. I have sort of a reputation in my group for being able to
socialize difficult cases. I've socialized shy cats, angry cats, hurt
cats, frightened cats, and feral cats, but there is one category that
eludes me: Otherwise perfectly normal cats that simply have no
interest in human company. They are perfectly happy to hang around on
the fringes of human behavior, sit near me when I'm working, take food
from my hands, even walk over me to get from one place to another, but
have no interest in being petted, picked up, or sitting on a lap.

Any thoughts on what causes this, or how to fix it?

When you find out, please let me know. Our black girl, Glitter is skittish
if I don't pet her several times a day. But if I spend an enormous amount of
time trying to socialize her, she'll get to where she doesn't flinch. But
she still isn't keen on attention. She tolerates it, but it's very apparent
she doesn't desire the attention.

Of course, if I skip so much as a day without petting her, she startles
again. Wierdest thing I ever saw.

Grace

Gracecat wrote:
"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...
I've been doing rescue work for 8-9 years now and I've fostered a lot
of cats. I have sort of a reputation in my group for being able to
socialize difficult cases. I've socialized shy cats, angry cats, hurt
cats, frightened cats, and feral cats, but there is one category that
eludes me: Otherwise perfectly normal cats that simply have no
interest in human company. They are perfectly happy to hang around on
the fringes of human behavior, sit near me when I'm working, take food
from my hands, even walk over me to get from one place to another, but
have no interest in being petted, picked up, or sitting on a lap.

Any thoughts on what causes this, or how to fix it?

When you find out, please let me know. Our black girl, Glitter is skittish
if I don't pet her several times a day. But if I spend an enormous amount of
time trying to socialize her, she'll get to where she doesn't flinch. But
she still isn't keen on attention. She tolerates it, but it's very apparent
she doesn't desire the attention.

Of course, if I skip so much as a day without petting her, she startles
again. Wierdest thing I ever saw.

Grace

Dance for a peanut butter cookie Gracie

doo, dee dee doh, doo doo dee

aaata girl
her ya go! slchump

doo, dee dee doh, doo deee deee

oh! GooD Girl!

laaa laa leeee laaa

-"CatNipped" wrote in message
...
Not really. My only comment is that some cats are just like
that - they all
have such different personalities. Sometimes it's breed specific
behavior.


How does breed specific behaviour apply to whether a cat likes to be
picked up or not?
Alison

"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...


but there is one category that
eludes me: Otherwise perfectly normal cats that simply have no
interest in human company.


Genetics play a roll in friendliness to some extent, but friendliness
towards people and handling also depends on how much the cat was exposed to
people, how many people the cat was exposed to, and how much the cat was
handled during her first two months of life. Cats that aren't lap cats or
don't like handling probably weren't handled alot during their first two
months of life- a/k/a the 'critical period' or 'sensitive period'.

In my experience, the more handling a kitten receives during the first 2-8
weeks of life, the friendlier she'll be, and the more she'll enjoy handling
and being around people when she becomes an adult.

Phil

"Gracecat" wrote in message
...

"
When you find out, please let me know. Our black girl, Glitter is
skittish
if I don't pet her several times a day. But if I spend an enormous
amount of
time trying to socialize her, she'll get to where she doesn't
flinch. But
she still isn't keen on attention. She tolerates it, but it's very
apparent
she doesn't desire the attention.

Of course, if I skip so much as a day without petting her, she
startles
again. Wierdest thing I ever saw.

Grace

It's thought that personality can be genetic and also the first few
weeks of a kitten's life
when the hard wiring of the brain connects is important; if it doesn't
receive adequate socialisation then, it affects his behaviour later in
life.
You've been conditioning your cat to accept affection but it sound
like you will always have to reinforce it.
You can get something in the Europe called Felifriend similar to
feliway that you spray onto your hands when you handle a cat.
http://www.parkvets.com/microsite/or...elifriend.html

Alison

On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 03:29:30 GMT, Richard Evans
wrote:

I've been doing rescue work for 8-9 years now and I've fostered a lot
of cats. I have sort of a reputation in my group for being able to
socialize difficult cases. I've socialized shy cats, angry cats, hurt
cats, frightened cats, and feral cats, but there is one category that
eludes me: Otherwise perfectly normal cats that simply have no
interest in human company. They are perfectly happy to hang around on
the fringes of human behavior, sit near me when I'm working, take food
from my hands, even walk over me to get from one place to another, but
have no interest in being petted, picked up, or sitting on a lap.

Any thoughts on what causes this, or how to fix it?

My cat Elwood is like this. I have been trying something I read
somewhere - when he is on my lap, I give him treats.
When it looks like he wants to get up, give him another treat.

So far, it seems to be helping quite a bit.

"Alison" wrote in message
...
-"CatNipped" wrote in message
...
Not really. My only comment is that some cats are just like
that - they all
have such different personalities. Sometimes it's breed specific
behavior.


How does breed specific behaviour apply to whether a cat likes to be
picked up or not?
Alison

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cats-faq/breeds/coons/

"Temperament

While Maine Coons are highly people-oriented cats, they are not
overly-dependent. They do not constantly pester you for attention, but
prefer to "hang out" with their owners, investigating whatever
activity you're involved in and "helping" when they can. They are not,
as a general rule, known as "lap cats" but as with any personality
trait there are a few Maine Coons that prefer laps. Most Maine Coons
will stay close by, probably occupying the chair next to yours
instead. Maines will follow you from room to room and wait outside a
closed door for you to emerge. A Maine Coon will be your companion,
your buddy, your pal, but hardly ever your baby."