this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2024
360 points (99.5% liked)

cats

19287 readers
620 users here now

typical internet cats. videos, pics, memes welcome!

rule 1) be kind

lemmy.world rules:

other cat communities midwest.social cats

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Some here might remember my post from a couple of months ago when I first took Lexi home. She was handed in by her previous family due to their existing cat being very aggressive towards her. She had been sitting in the cage at the pound for 2 months when I adopted her.

It took a little bit to get used to me but now won't leave my side. As soon as I get on the computer, she jumps up and lays down at the side of the keyboard, which makes working difficult lol

I have a question for the community though, she seems very scared of all males other than me. She is fine with any women (she's especially loves my grandma and insists we go visit her next door daily). Is this normal for cats to be scared of men or is it likely something happened to her at the previous home?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] mascarasnake@lemmy.world 20 points 9 months ago (2 children)

My vote is on past trauma involving men. I know a cat dad whose 3 feline kids adore him, and I've had my cats be friendly to anyone who respects their space, regardless of gender. I've never seen them have a common predisposition to fear men.

[–] tristan@aussie.zone 10 points 9 months ago

Yeah this is my thoughts too which makes me kinda sad and think the story of the other cat attacking her might not be the truth

[–] IamSparticles@lemmy.zip 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I wouldn't assume that. Some cats just develop fears for no obvious reason. Our 7 year old female cat flees at any sudden noise or movement. She runs and hides any time we have visitors. My sister in law has come to pet sit for her several times but she hisses at her if she tries to get too close. We adopted her as a kitten from a friend who had taken in a pregnant stray. She has never been mistreated or experienced any sort of trauma and was actually pretty normal as a kitten. These behaviors didn't start manifesting until she was about a year old. As far as we can tell she just has anxiety issues.

[–] Dremor@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

My cat is the same, minus the hissing part. He just goea hide every time he see a stranger. I adopted himbwhen he was already 7 y/o, no idea if he was mistreated, but at least he know he can come cuddle with me anytime he want. And he does a lot.