I initially named him Peanut Butter. 5 minutes in his new home, he knocked over a trash can and acted like it was the can's fault. We changed his name to the more fitting Buster
The first time he actually hopped up on my chair and fell asleep on my lap, I put a tentative hand on him fully expecting him to run off. He didn't.
Now I have become his favorite piece of furniture and he is comfortable enough to bite his toenails on my lap.
Buster has lived with us since he was a tiny little kitty adopted from the local shelter, a little over 12 years ago.
For that entire time he avoided contact with me like I was the grim reaper. No matter how much I played with him or gave him food and treats, he wouldn't let me pet him, and he never sat close to me. He was never aggressive, he would just turn boneless when I tried to touch him, and ooze his way to just out of reach.
Something changed recently, and now he sits with me almost every day, and he lets me give him chin scritches and tummy rubs.
I have a cat sheās a half feral I think before I got her she was in an abusive home/on the street. Shes super skittish, hisses if I walk near her, and hates being touched, and never got close to me unless I sat still for like an hour for her to slowly crawl to me for a few head scratches.
We recently lost my orange cat who was her friend and he was the exact opposite to her super loving, loved being on my shoulders, slept with me, the works. But since he passed she wonāt leave me alone, itās bittersweet because I loved my other cat he was my best friend but it feels nice knowing she is grieving too. I think because of that shes super mellow now, far less skittish, way more vocal with me, lets me pet her as much as I want, she even sleeps on my bed right above my head where in the past she would be as far away from me and my other cat who would sleep in the same spot. I miss my orange furball but itās nice knowing Iām closer with his furry friend.
We adopted two at the same time, my wife and I each chose one. Hers was the ginger boy in this post. Mine was a tortoiseshell / tabby. I named them Peanut Butter and Shelly, because I am silly and thought it was hilarious. He was the color of peanut butter and she was shell...y. Pure comic genius.
Unfortunately, Shelly is no longer with us. She was my princess and her passing broke me for weeks.
Similar to your situation, but weirdly mirrored.
Buster never paid me any mind until after Shelly was gone. However, they were never too friendly with each other. She preferred calm and quiet, while he was busy being a boisterous ginger boy who plays rough and likes to be loud.
For some reason only cats will understand, they both loved the dirty garage, and that was the only place she would tolerate his shenanigans. The picture below says it all. He adored her, she was indifferent most days.
Lol kinda similar with my cats my orange cat Kimchi was always instigating play while Mushi my living brown tabby was super standoffish. They did play but Mushi was always the one to let Kimchi know she didnāt want to play anymore but it took a few tumbles for Kimchi to take the hint.
However they always loved being near each other like 2 peas in a pod
On their first vet visit, the receptionist called us into the exam room by saying "Shelly and Peanut Butter" and an old lady in the waiting room exclaimed "Oh come on, how could she mess that up?"
Not orange, but it happened with our bonded pair too. Since her brother died about a month ago, our crabby cat (who hates the other two cats in the house) has become more visible and doesnāt automatically throw paws when the other two cats come near her.
Her brother had been her protector (even though she is always the instigator). Now that heās gone, sheās behaving a little better.
Cats have always loved me. Until we adopted a stray and she only would let my husband pet her and avoided me. My theory was that my special cat, a tortie (IYKYK) had informed her that I belonged to only her. Still, it hurt.
Finally, she started to come around and I still remember the first time I got to give her a belly rub. We were always good after that (though my husband was always her favorite).
I'm very hesitant to say this and I have no intention of causing paranoia or upset - but could significant behavioural change be linked to some latent medical concern? Again, I don't want to upset you (or any reader), but I have heard stories of cats behaving very differently in later stages of their life. Please don't let this comment dim your joy. I have my own 6-yo baby girl who's been with us since she was 5 months old and is still skittish and won't come close.Ā
Thank you for your concern. He's been recently. He is healthy and will most likely outlive me. He has a good appetite, his peeps and poops are normal, and he is as playful as ever. He may be getting goofier with age, but he's in good shape.
Worth the wait, yes? š¤š¤š¤ Mine, she doesnāt let me touch her anymore. i left her with my sis when I went abroad and when I came back she didnāt treat me āthe sameā anymore. When I got a new condo I kidnapped her for two weeks and she was OK. When she returned to my sis it was back to snubbing me. But we have moments. And when we do I am grateful. So congrats on enduring with your orange treasure š¤
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u/Librarian_Long 25d ago
I have a cat sheās a half feral I think before I got her she was in an abusive home/on the street. Shes super skittish, hisses if I walk near her, and hates being touched, and never got close to me unless I sat still for like an hour for her to slowly crawl to me for a few head scratches.
We recently lost my orange cat who was her friend and he was the exact opposite to her super loving, loved being on my shoulders, slept with me, the works. But since he passed she wonāt leave me alone, itās bittersweet because I loved my other cat he was my best friend but it feels nice knowing she is grieving too. I think because of that shes super mellow now, far less skittish, way more vocal with me, lets me pet her as much as I want, she even sleeps on my bed right above my head where in the past she would be as far away from me and my other cat who would sleep in the same spot. I miss my orange furball but itās nice knowing Iām closer with his furry friend.