Bitty is "spooked"
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
December 29, 2023 10:25pm CST
Bitty has always been very picky about going to people or even people being around her. It took me a week to get to touch her once she moved in a year and a half ago.
The plumber scares her. He smells of pipes, cigars, probably of his dogs and his house cat. Even have the guys working on the house next door makes her skittish. She hides until they go home.
Bruno, on the other hand, will get in the cars next door when they are left open. He will lay down on the plumber when the plumber is laying in the floor.
Even after the plumber left tonight Bitty was very hesitant to come in. I think she can smell where ever his shoes have been. I would rattle the treats, put some down and sing her Bitty song that I call her with, but it just seemed like she was scared to death.
She would look at me, rub her chin on the door, and then run back away and hide. It was not like a game, but like she is scared. She finally followed the trail of treats and I quickly went behind her and shut the door.
I gave her treats, and some wet food. I went in and sprinkled cat nip on the floor, hoping that that will calm her down. For now she is sitting in the other computer chair, and is purring.
11 people like this
10 responses
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Dec 23
Would Feliway (the familiarization facial pheromone in cats) help?
Rubbing her chin on the door is her way of saying "this is mine".
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
30 Dec 23
Yep, she was marking the door. I have not tried anything other than the cat nip. She was also pretty annoyed that we went away for a couple of days without her.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Jan 24
@BarBaraPrz Again today she would not come into the house. I am going to do some cleaning and spraying of things where the plumber was, so maybe she will feel calmer. She comes in the office and sleeps on the extra chair. It is even better if it has my blanket or jacket on it. She comes and watches us eat in the dining room, but no way will she go in the living room or bathroom.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Dec 23
@GardenGerty Well, yeah, I would be too...
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
30 Dec 23
Poor Bitty. I'm sorry she is so scared of strangers. Hope you and Bob have a good weekend and a safe, happy and healthy New Year.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
30 Dec 23
We are staying home, so we should be safe.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
31 Dec 23
@GardenGerty We're staying home too.
1 person likes this
I bet that’s very helpful.@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
30 Dec 23
Everyone needs an occasional kitty break.
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
30 Dec 23
Poor Bitty. Our kitty hides too when others are in the house.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
30 Dec 23
They get so used to just their own people.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Dec 23
I have had many cats that didn't like strangers
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
30 Dec 23
Usually mine hide inside, not out in the cold. Maybe she did not have access to her preferred place. Actually her preferred place is often the bathroom and the plumber was in it.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Jan 24
@wolfgirl569 He has a smell about him. She is not going in that bathroom, either.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (40215)
• United States
30 Dec 23
Oh, poor thing. My cats also runs and hide. It breaks my heart.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
30 Dec 23
I would prefer Bitty to hide indoors, as at least I would know she was safe.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
30 Dec 23
Nico growls when strange vehicles pull up to the house. Needless to say he is nowhere to be found if strangers are in here. He gets brave about a half hour after they leave.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Jan 24
I am thinking the smelly plumber has left a scent on everything. She has not jumped up on my new sink yet, and she used to love to get on the sink.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
6 Jan 24
@snowy22315 He needs to come back for two more small things.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
1 Jan 24
@GardenGerty I guess you will have to wait awhile until the scent fades.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Dec 23
Glad Bitty calmed down. My Morticia is the really spooky cat she thinks or sees something she thinks might be coming for her she if off and running to hide.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Jan 24
She was okay yesterday, but insisted on going outside before we left for church today. When we got home again she would come to the door, step just inside, and then run outside again. The next door neighbor has a "sometimes dog" that if the step daughter is there the dog is. He is a sneaky dog, Bob does not even like him. He may have made her nervous today. I had to entice her far enough inside that I could grab her while I shut the doors. I think I am going to have to deodorize everything to make her like that room again. She comes in and sleeps in the extra desk chair
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
30 Dec 23
I was worried when she was staying out in the cold.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Jan 24
@just4him I sure like this picture and your new glasses.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Dec 23
@GardenGerty I'm sure you were.
3 people like this
