A while ago I noticed that both Suki and Hiro have changed. While Hiro used to be super playful, he’s not hard to entertain and it feels like he doesn’t always feel like playing. Suki who wasn’t really into playing much, now suddenly wants to play a lot! Huh? Have they switches bodies or something? Why do you confuse me so much kitties?!
That’s not the only thing. Hiro seems to be guarding the front door of out apartment. A few weeks ago the neighbor cat who’s from the neighbor below me (yes, the guy from Limbo) was sitting in front of our door. Hiro didn’t like that at all, and sat in front of the door for a few good hours. Sniffing and protecting his territory. He doesn’t seem interested in a lot of things lately, beside annoying me.
When I just got home from work, and I’m home alone with the cats and I just fed them. Hiro will be pushing things off the table, and meowing/preowing while walking around the room. It makes me think he’s bored and wants to play. But as soon as I get the ‘fishing pole’ out, he suddenly does not want to play! Same problem in the evening. He is so hard to entertain, yet he does wrestle and play with Suki. Hiro doesn’t want to play with me? Awe… (mind you, the wrestling can end up pretty rough!)
I think he might not be feeling 100%. But the behavior doesn’t seem alarming to me — yet. He eats, drinks, sleeps. He doesn’t sleep with us on the bed a lot anymore. He found his new favorite play in a little hole of the scratching post in the other room. He asks a lot for food. Last month we went to the vet, where they checked his blood, liver and kidney’s, and it was all okay. So sometimes I just don’t know if he’s asking for food, attention, or just something else?
Hiro sometimes does sit between me and my boyfriend, cuddling and making biscuits. But it’s not that often as it used to be. He usually does this when he’s hungry. But it feels like something is off.
Suki, however. Has become more playful. If Hiro doesn’t want to play, Suki is there to play instead! She also wants more attention lately. She’s a daddy’s boy, and she often ends up on his lap, and on his side of the bed. Surprisingly this morning, right before I was about to go to work — I always give the kitties a pet on the head before I go –, when I petted Suki on the head. She started spinning, and let herself fall to the ground (from a sitting position) onto her back. Inviting me to rub her belly. She allowed me to rub her belly, without being bitten. Still spinning with a little meow in it. How cute is that?! Shame I had to leave for work. So far I know, Suki has never been like that. She was more like the ‘cold hearted’-cat. Watching us from a distance with an intimidating look. It’s like she has warmed up a little bit more.
I really wonder what’s going on with them lately. Even the new toys don’t interest Hiro, while Suki is up for literally everything! She still doesn’t want me to pick her up. But she has never been this attention-seeking. Maybe a vet visit, or am I over-reacting?
I think both of them are growing, and they are exploring their personalities through each other. I feel as long as they are eating and sleeping right, there should be no worry. Regular check ups should be good.
Hi Dianda…..As you know cats are masterful at hiding their “issues” – especially health related ones. Still, since you just had them at the vet not long ago and they were thoroughly checked, seems maybe it’s just a bit of “growing up” – Sam has changed in every possible way as the years have gone by. He doesn’t do many of the things he used to do when younger but he does still seem happy and content and healthy. I bet Hiro has just entered a new phase of behavior – guarding and being a bit more serious….while Suki has decided to be a playful kitten again!
They do keep us guessing sometimes don’t they!!
Hugs, Pam
Oh, yes they do! Maybe it’s growing up, I don’t know.
It’s true. We’ve had Chloe for several years now, and she has JUST now started getting to the point where she comes to US for affection. I never thought it would take so long…
Same here! Suki never likes it when we pet her out of nothing. She will move her whole body down just so our hands won’t touch her. Now she finally comes to us! Took about time Suki!
> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:27:22 +0000 > To: dlvangunst@hotmail.com >
Hiro sounds bored/depressed. The truth is, it is hard for a cat to be inside all day, especially in a small apartment. I know you don’t feel secure in letting a cat out, and that’s your decision to make as a pet owner. But that’s the consequence. It’s boring to be inside all day. Cats need exercise and stimulation. I know you work hard at giving them just that, but for some cats…well, they just need more.
I have one cat who needs to be out. She barely makes time for us but when she is in, she is quite happy to be here. I have another cat who is scared of everything and never goes out. As you so eloquently stated in your post, cats clearly have different personalities and needs. As a pet owner, you have to respect that and I’m sure you do your best. But as most cat experts have noted, cats who go outside face more risks (fewer than I think humans imagine, but that’s just my opinion), but also have more content personalities.
The thing is. As soon as I open the door to the outside world, he freaks out. I have tried doing this, while he was on a leash and harness. He’s doing great with the harness, but as soon as he hears a sound, or I open the door to outside, he loses it.
Does sound like they are just growing up. It is also possible that there is a change in top cat status?
Haha, could be. Suki used to be the big boss. I get the feeling that Hiro is often trying to proof otherwise. :p
Actually, that was my thinking as I read the article. It definitely seems like they swapped hierarchical position. Did you notice something shortly before or early when the you first noticed the changes? Such as them not going along as well as before, watching each other from a distance, hissing at each other or something.
I dont remember if it was before this or not. But it we’re a few days where suki and giro wrestled so bad suki often burst into hissing and growling which Hiro would just sort Of ignore. But that’s all I remember. And last week they did the same. They we’re wrestling, and suki ended up making gurgling sounds. So I gave them both a time out.
It always makes me nervous when our cats, or any pets, act differently than usual. Always makes me suspect something isn’t right. Maybe wait it out a few days or just call your vet to be sure (though then they will tell you they need to check it out in person!). Good luck and keep us updated!
Oink oink,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig
It makes me nervous too. Planning to keep an eye out for a few more days. Thanks Katie!
Makes me on edge, too, when the cats start being different. Let us know how things go along, Dianda. The vet probably checked thyroid, too….?
Yes, he did! There was nothing going on with the thyroids either.
> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:34:01 +0000 > To: dlvangunst@hotmail.com >
You take good care of your kitties and you pay close attention to them, so you’ll know if something is wrong.
Last summer BuddyBoop stopped talking to us and stopped sleeping with us. Just recently he has started coming into the bedroom in the middle of the night and talks to us and jumps on me where he stays for a few minutes before leaving. He seems healthy enough, but it’s *different*!
He also kept telling us how empty his food bowl was, even tho’ it really wasn’t. Turns out he had tapeworm. !!
Cats are subtle, but you are tuned in–do trust that.
Ohno, tapeworm! Yuck!
If things continue we’ll have a trip to the vet.
> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:40:40 +0000 > To: dlvangunst@hotmail.com >
yes, they BOTH had it. big yuck!
your kitties are very lucky that you pay close attention to them, Dianda. If there is anything not right, you will catch it early.
what if Limbo sprayed your door and the cats are fidgety because of that?
I don’t think it’s Limbo who sprayed the door, but the other cat from his owner. I let Hiro out yesterday, let him sniff around and mark his territory. Planning to get back in leash/harness training him again for the summer.
> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:49:34 +0000 > To: dlvangunst@hotmail.com >
<:-D cats being cats! makes us crazy!
Sometimes they do! just like today. I got home early, had a horrible night, so decided to nap. Hiro was meowing and throwing stuff of the table!
> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:53:45 +0000 > To: dlvangunst@hotmail.com >
that sure sounds like “pay attention to me”! <:-D
Yep, that’s Hiro!
> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:03:58 +0000 > To: dlvangunst@hotmail.com >
<:-D (bad kitty!)
Just goes to prove that cats don’t do anything EXCEPT in their own time! Hahah!
Maturing
We have seen a huge difference in Henry and Oscar since they turned 5 x
Then Hiro is early!
My first thought was that it was the weather – I know my boys change their sleeping habits when it is cold, and again when it warms up. Well, Spot does. Lokii is always cold. I don’t see evidence of the ‘cat-crazies’ having gone on while we are at work since it got cold, but every morning the area rugs and play-boxes are catawampus on the floors.
Hmmm… Well, it’s almost spring! So maybe that will get them back in normal behavior?
Who knows, they are cats! I do wonder if the momentary intrusion of Limbo made them rethink their roles? Maybe Suki is afraid of being replaced so gets more loving, and Hiro is being more aggressive for the same reason? Nahh. That’s putting way too much human emotion on kitties!
Well, you never know!
If the weather gets better, we’ll cheal the balcony, so they go on there again. They loved it last year.
I mean “clean”!
Interesting. Cats are such marvelous creatures, and definitely have personalities, so I guess why not personalities that change or evolve? What do I know, though? Maybe after a while Hiro will get jealous enough of the playtime that Suki’s getting and change back to his old more playful self?
I don’t know. Maybe they have grown up?