![]() Lethargic cats may not want to get up to use the litter box and can act sick in other ways, as well. The definition of lethargy is “a lack of energy and enthusiasm,” or to use a medical definition, lethargy is “a pathological state of sleepiness or deep unresponsiveness and inactivity.” When a cat develops this condition, it’s a clear sign that something is seriously amiss.Ĭats that are lethargic seem depressed and very tired, sleeping far more than normal, and not doing much else. ![]() Sudden lethargy is a situation where a cat suddenly loses energy and interest in life. This reinforces the idea that interacting with you is in-fact a positive experience.A cat experiencing sudden lethargy will lie around much of the day and show little interest in playing. On the flip side, positive reinforcement works! Try offering your cat their favourite treat when they allow you to approach, when you pick them up or during petting sessions. Raising your voice or gesticulating will only make your cat fearful of you. Remember, you should never punish your cat for running away from you. Knowing they have somewhere safe, where they won’t be disturbed, will help to build your cat’s confidence in the home. You should never try to force your cat out of these ‘safe spaces’, nor approach them when they are inside. Most cats also benefit from safe spaces high up, where you aren’t towering over them. Your cat should have access to several hiding places, such as enclosed cat beds or cardboard boxes with a hole cut out. This may give them a fright and worsen the situation. Initially, try to avoid approaching your cat when they are eating, sleeping or using their litter tray. Pay attention to their body language and keep the interactions short to begin with. Instead, let them come to you to initiate these interactions. Never force your cat to be stroked or picked up. The key elements are building trust, creating safe spaces and lots of positive reinforcement! Build trust If you’ve ruled out a medical reason, you may wish to try to encourage your feline friend not to run away from you. Time to get some toys out! How do I make my cat trust me? Your cat may run away from you if they want to play! You’ll soon know this is the case, as they will most likely hide to pounce on you as you walk past, or run away and then run back to you repeatedly. Next time they may be in the mood for some affection and so head towards you. If they associate you approaching with being picked up or stroked and they don’t fancy it, they may well run away. Remember, a cat’s mood will vary just as our mood does! Sometimes your cat may just need some alone time. Some cats are very noise sensitive too, so they may run away if you have particularly noisy shoes on, for example. Some cats just don’t like being picked up or stroked too often. Just like people, each cat’s personality is different. Similarly, a traumatic event may have caused your cat to be more fearful than usual, such as a nasty fight with another cat. Cats can be stressed by a great number of things, such as changes in the household, new or moved furniture or a new cat in the neighbourhood. If your cat is feeling stressed, they may suddenly start to run away from you when you approach. They often hide it well, unless you know what you are watching for. It may come as a surprise to you that cats are easily stressed. ![]() So, back to the question, why does my cat run away from me? Let’s look at some possibilities: These are guaranteed to only make the situation worse. You should never try to force your cat to be petted or picked up, nor punish them for running away from you. ![]() Some cats will have been poorly socialised with humans in the ‘formative’ early weeks of life.Įveryone knows cats tend to be independent creatures and even the most affectionate of cats enjoy their independence at times. Other cats may have been poorly treated in the past, or experienced something which made them fearful. Some cats are naturally more shy than others. Why is my cat running and hiding from me?įirstly, it’s important to remember that each cat’s personality is unique.
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