Question:
> Kelly- > I think once a cat/kitten forms a negative opinion of the vets.. > that’s it. No changing it. Chili initially used to *love* going > to the vets. The vet techs all Ohhh’d and Ahhh’d over her and loved > her to death. Then came the time to get spayed. After that she > has not been thrilled to see the vet techs. When they tried to > take her temperature, she scootched her butt down and wrapped her > tail tightly around herself. Hawaii was the same way after her > spay.
Yes actually now that you mention it, he did only get nasty after his neuter. But even then, after he woke up from anesthetic and for the day he was there, he was fine. It was when I brought him back for vaccinations a year later that he flipped out. Weird…. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Jaalinta > "Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be > changed regularly, and for the same reason."- Anonymous > Replace my-deja.com with aol.com to reply directly > Before you buy.
Response:
>The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are.
Yes, the creature leaning against my trackball right now, Mr. Oscar B. Wildecat. 
Martha B. Denver CO 10/3/83
Response:
This is exactly what my mother’s male cat is like =) I call him SourPuss. He demands attention on his own terms then decides he’s had enough then looks at me and growls as I am petting him. When her other cat walks by he always snarls at him, but her really is quite affectionate when he wants to be. he’s got a little attitude =) — Keep smilin’ Moretakitty >^,,^<
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
– Keep smilin’ Moretakitty >^,,^<
Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget. HOWEVER, I do know of male > cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn > literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. > For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is > very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t met an adult cat that > purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he flips out. He starts > urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it reads "WILL KILL – USE > GLOVES". > My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him accustomed to going to the > vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I > work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!). But he still turns into > this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the cage bars when people > in scrubs walk by. > BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this > behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! > Kelly
Kelly- I think once a cat/kitten forms a negative opinion of the vets.. that’s it. No changing it. Chili initially used to *love* going to the vets. The vet techs all Ohhh’d and Ahhh’d over her and loved her to death. Then came the time to get spayed. After that she has not been thrilled to see the vet techs. When they tried to take her temperature, she scootched her butt down and wrapped her tail tightly around herself. Hawaii was the same way after her spay. — Jaalinta "Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason."- Anonymous Replace my-deja.com with aol.com to reply directly Before you buy.
Response:
– — I think Fred was definitely traumatized. Poor thing! But how wonderful that he was taken in by your family. I got my fussbudgets from the pound in one case and from some people who rescued an abandoned mother cat and her litter in the other. One fussbudget was adopted at 8 weeks of age, and the other at 4 months. I don’t know what happened to them prior to their adoption, but I cannot imagine it was anything nearly as horrible as what happened to Fred. Lynn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My mom had a male cat, Fred, who was as picky as you mention, but we > considered him to be traumatized, not a fussbudget. When I was a senior > in high school, some tiny children (under 5) who lived across the ally > from us came up to us to show us what was in this large coffee can with > holes punched in the lid – not bugs or such, but kittens! We were horrified > and my mom took them home to talk to their parents about putting the kittens > in a better environment. I don’t remember all the details, but it turns out > all were dead but one little male, who was let out, abandoned and ended up > in our tree, and wouldn’t come down (under 6 weeks old). Every morning and > evening, my mom put a ladder up and climbed up with food, water and baby > talk. After a few days, he started coming to the ground to eat, but would > hide if anyone came near. Then he got so he would play with our cat Frisky > and his friend, and eventually got so he would be in the yard when my mom > was there, but not any other human. By fall, my mom could pick him up and > other people could be in the yard if they didn’t move or talk. By the time > the weather turned cold, mom got him in the house. He now would let us > pet him IF we were seated in a particular chair, which he would sit by > on the floor. He got all of his loving from Mom, whose lap he’d jump on > and who could carry him – all the normal stuff. Over the next 10 years it > didn’t change much, except my brothers and I were less frequently at home > as we finished high school and college. Fred seemed to like it when we > were home, but still wouldn’t tolerate holding, even from my dad who > saw him every day. My dad got cancer and died, and would have loved to > have his cat to cuddle in the last months, but Fred was too scared. When > Dad died, Fred wanted more attention from Mom, who, in her grief, resented > Fred a little. Wierd thing is, after that, the house was so empty that > when my brothers and I came home, Fred started getting on our laps. His > last 7 years of life, Fred would get his cuddling from any family member > who presented a lap, but it took him 11 years to get to that point. It > seems that those first few horrible weeks in a coffee can, with who > knows what other ignorant mistakes, really damaged his ability to trust. > He died at the age of 18, which was pretty good considering how things > started for him. He was a really sweet cat. My favorite memory of him > was an early one, playing with Frisky, our siamese, and Stubbs, Frisky’s > friend. They would take turns chasing each other, with Frisky and Stubbs > running slow to let Fred catch them. Stubbs, who was gray like Fred, > would also let Fred pretend nurse him. Angel cats. > Becky Root
Response:
Yeah, I have 4 neutered males who are all fussbudgets in their own ways. One runs from us all the time, except on the rare occasions when he purrfully wants to be cuddled. He’s the youngest in the group and I think has been forced to submit to the 2 elder. Our stray who is in and out of house used to snap or swipe if you went for anything but his head or back to pet. He’s getting better. My second one, Louie, growls when we are grooming him (long cottony hair) when he is sick of it. He also growls as he carries favorite toy mice around in his mouth, especiallly if one of the others get too interested. My eldest, Sammy, is now very sweet and let’s anyone pet him and lays in laps etc., but for the first 3 years we had him (he was adult when we got him out of paper) he hid all the time. He was definitely traumatized in some way. I’m hoping that Zeke, the running away one, will get more affectionate as time goes on. We got him at 10 weeks and he is very much loved and cared for. He does have the LONG hair, and they resent being groomed daily, even tho we’ve been doing it their entire lives. I almost think he learned to run from copying the eldest when he was a kitten, who was still in his run and hide stage at that time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. >Lynn
– Colette
Response:
The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. Lynn
Response:
>The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are.
My kato is a bit of a fussbuget (male). He doesn’t really like having his belly rubbed and usually only wants to be petted for 15 seconds or so. Growing up in a barn fending off cayote’s probably didn’t help. Jessi (female) is the opposite. She’ll hop on anyone’s lap, and can be held upsidedown nearly indefineately as long as she is being petted. The only exception is that she is very sensative about her tail. Touch it and she’ll swing around and attack every time, probably because it is such a great toy for kittens. http://www.pobox.com/~TCS-cats
Response:
Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget. HOWEVER, I do know of male cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t met an adult cat that purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he flips out. He starts urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it reads "WILL KILL – USE GLOVES". My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him accustomed to going to the vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!). But he still turns into this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the cage bars when people in scrubs walk by. BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
Response:
>> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By
fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to
pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they
might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules
are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are
loving cats but > only on their own terms.
My past male cat was a fussbudget. He became less and less so as he got older. He’d let you pick him up, pet him, etc but only for a little while and as soon as he was done he’d start to growl. Touching his underside was a no-no. He was very independent and never was a lap cat. Although he would get in good moods where he’d become very affectioniate. But even still, he was the greatest pet I’ve had. I don’t think having this tempermant is automatically a bad thing. He respects you and you have to respect him. Which I think is fair. Matt – mgreer[at]artic.edu game trade list: www.switchouse.com — username: tortoise * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
Female Fussbudget here… Sade (13 yr. old Ragdoll)! Altho’, coming in second would be Felix (Fussbudget)! :) — "Just Me" Please (removeyourshoes) before replying. "We find comfort among those who agree with us – growth among those who don’t." ~Frank A. Clark
> Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget.
HOWEVER, I do know of male > cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn > literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. > For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is > very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t
met an adult cat that > purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he
flips out. He starts > urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it
reads "WILL KILL – USE > GLOVES". > My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him
accustomed to going to the > vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I > work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!).
But he still turns into > this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the
cage bars when people – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> in scrubs walk by. > BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this > behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! > Kelly > The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has
anyone ever had a male – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
Response:
> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
My mom had a male cat, Fred, who was as picky as you mention, but we considered him to be traumatized, not a fussbudget. When I was a senior in high school, some tiny children (under 5) who lived across the ally from us came up to us to show us what was in this large coffee can with holes punched in the lid – not bugs or such, but kittens! We were horrified and my mom took them home to talk to their parents about putting the kittens in a better environment. I don’t remember all the details, but it turns out all were dead but one little male, who was let out, abandoned and ended up in our tree, and wouldn’t come down (under 6 weeks old). Every morning and evening, my mom put a ladder up and climbed up with food, water and baby talk. After a few days, he started coming to the ground to eat, but would hide if anyone came near. Then he got so he would play with our cat Frisky and his friend, and eventually got so he would be in the yard when my mom was there, but not any other human. By fall, my mom could pick him up and other people could be in the yard if they didn’t move or talk. By the time the weather turned cold, mom got him in the house. He now would let us pet him IF we were seated in a particular chair, which he would sit by on the floor. He got all of his loving from Mom, whose lap he’d jump on and who could carry him – all the normal stuff. Over the next 10 years it didn’t change much, except my brothers and I were less frequently at home as we finished high school and college. Fred seemed to like it when we were home, but still wouldn’t tolerate holding, even from my dad who saw him every day. My dad got cancer and died, and would have loved to have his cat to cuddle in the last months, but Fred was too scared. When Dad died, Fred wanted more attention from Mom, who, in her grief, resented Fred a little. Wierd thing is, after that, the house was so empty that when my brothers and I came home, Fred started getting on our laps. His last 7 years of life, Fred would get his cuddling from any family member who presented a lap, but it took him 11 years to get to that point. It seems that those first few horrible weeks in a coffee can, with who knows what other ignorant mistakes, really damaged his ability to trust. He died at the age of 18, which was pretty good considering how things started for him. He was a really sweet cat. My favorite memory of him was an early one, playing with Frisky, our siamese, and Stubbs, Frisky’s friend. They would take turns chasing each other, with Frisky and Stubbs running slow to let Fred catch them. Stubbs, who was gray like Fred, would also let Fred pretend nurse him. Angel cats. Becky Root
Response:
> Kelly- > I think once a cat/kitten forms a negative opinion of the vets.. > that’s it. No changing it. Chili initially used to *love* going > to the vets. The vet techs all Ohhh’d and Ahhh’d over her and loved > her to death. Then came the time to get spayed. After that she > has not been thrilled to see the vet techs. When they tried to > take her temperature, she scootched her butt down and wrapped her > tail tightly around herself. Hawaii was the same way after her > spay.
Yes actually now that you mention it, he did only get nasty after his neuter. But even then, after he woke up from anesthetic and for the day he was there, he was fine. It was when I brought him back for vaccinations a year later that he flipped out. Weird…. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Jaalinta > "Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be > changed regularly, and for the same reason."- Anonymous > Replace my-deja.com with aol.com to reply directly > Before you buy.
Response:
>The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are.
Yes, the creature leaning against my trackball right now, Mr. Oscar B. Wildecat. Martha B. Denver CO 10/3/83
Response:
This is exactly what my mother’s male cat is like =) I call him SourPuss. He demands attention on his own terms then decides he’s had enough then looks at me and growls as I am petting him. When her other cat walks by he always snarls at him, but her really is quite affectionate when he wants to be. he’s got a little attitude =) — Keep smilin’ Moretakitty >^,,^<
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
– Keep smilin’ Moretakitty >^,,^<
Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget. HOWEVER, I do know of male > cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn > literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. > For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is > very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t met an adult cat that > purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he flips out. He starts > urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it reads "WILL KILL – USE > GLOVES". > My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him accustomed to going to the > vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I > work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!). But he still turns into > this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the cage bars when people > in scrubs walk by. > BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this > behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! > Kelly
Kelly- I think once a cat/kitten forms a negative opinion of the vets.. that’s it. No changing it. Chili initially used to *love* going to the vets. The vet techs all Ohhh’d and Ahhh’d over her and loved her to death. Then came the time to get spayed. After that she has not been thrilled to see the vet techs. When they tried to take her temperature, she scootched her butt down and wrapped her tail tightly around herself. Hawaii was the same way after her spay. — Jaalinta "Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason."- Anonymous Replace my-deja.com with aol.com to reply directly Before you buy.
Response:
– — I think Fred was definitely traumatized. Poor thing! But how wonderful that he was taken in by your family. I got my fussbudgets from the pound in one case and from some people who rescued an abandoned mother cat and her litter in the other. One fussbudget was adopted at 8 weeks of age, and the other at 4 months. I don’t know what happened to them prior to their adoption, but I cannot imagine it was anything nearly as horrible as what happened to Fred. Lynn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My mom had a male cat, Fred, who was as picky as you mention, but we > considered him to be traumatized, not a fussbudget. When I was a senior > in high school, some tiny children (under 5) who lived across the ally > from us came up to us to show us what was in this large coffee can with > holes punched in the lid – not bugs or such, but kittens! We were horrified > and my mom took them home to talk to their parents about putting the kittens > in a better environment. I don’t remember all the details, but it turns out > all were dead but one little male, who was let out, abandoned and ended up > in our tree, and wouldn’t come down (under 6 weeks old). Every morning and > evening, my mom put a ladder up and climbed up with food, water and baby > talk. After a few days, he started coming to the ground to eat, but would > hide if anyone came near. Then he got so he would play with our cat Frisky > and his friend, and eventually got so he would be in the yard when my mom > was there, but not any other human. By fall, my mom could pick him up and > other people could be in the yard if they didn’t move or talk. By the time > the weather turned cold, mom got him in the house. He now would let us > pet him IF we were seated in a particular chair, which he would sit by > on the floor. He got all of his loving from Mom, whose lap he’d jump on > and who could carry him – all the normal stuff. Over the next 10 years it > didn’t change much, except my brothers and I were less frequently at home > as we finished high school and college. Fred seemed to like it when we > were home, but still wouldn’t tolerate holding, even from my dad who > saw him every day. My dad got cancer and died, and would have loved to > have his cat to cuddle in the last months, but Fred was too scared. When > Dad died, Fred wanted more attention from Mom, who, in her grief, resented > Fred a little. Wierd thing is, after that, the house was so empty that > when my brothers and I came home, Fred started getting on our laps. His > last 7 years of life, Fred would get his cuddling from any family member > who presented a lap, but it took him 11 years to get to that point. It > seems that those first few horrible weeks in a coffee can, with who > knows what other ignorant mistakes, really damaged his ability to trust. > He died at the age of 18, which was pretty good considering how things > started for him. He was a really sweet cat. My favorite memory of him > was an early one, playing with Frisky, our siamese, and Stubbs, Frisky’s > friend. They would take turns chasing each other, with Frisky and Stubbs > running slow to let Fred catch them. Stubbs, who was gray like Fred, > would also let Fred pretend nurse him. Angel cats. > Becky Root
Response:
Yeah, I have 4 neutered males who are all fussbudgets in their own ways. One runs from us all the time, except on the rare occasions when he purrfully wants to be cuddled. He’s the youngest in the group and I think has been forced to submit to the 2 elder. Our stray who is in and out of house used to snap or swipe if you went for anything but his head or back to pet. He’s getting better. My second one, Louie, growls when we are grooming him (long cottony hair) when he is sick of it. He also growls as he carries favorite toy mice around in his mouth, especiallly if one of the others get too interested. My eldest, Sammy, is now very sweet and let’s anyone pet him and lays in laps etc., but for the first 3 years we had him (he was adult when we got him out of paper) he hid all the time. He was definitely traumatized in some way. I’m hoping that Zeke, the running away one, will get more affectionate as time goes on. We got him at 10 weeks and he is very much loved and cared for. He does have the LONG hair, and they resent being groomed daily, even tho we’ve been doing it their entire lives. I almost think he learned to run from copying the eldest when he was a kitten, who was still in his run and hide stage at that time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. >Lynn
– Colette
Response:
The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. Lynn
Response:
>The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are.
My kato is a bit of a fussbuget (male). He doesn’t really like having his belly rubbed and usually only wants to be petted for 15 seconds or so. Growing up in a barn fending off cayote’s probably didn’t help. Jessi (female) is the opposite. She’ll hop on anyone’s lap, and can be held upsidedown nearly indefineately as long as she is being petted. The only exception is that she is very sensative about her tail. Touch it and she’ll swing around and attack every time, probably because it is such a great toy for kittens. http://www.pobox.com/~TCS-cats
Response:
Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget. HOWEVER, I do know of male cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t met an adult cat that purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he flips out. He starts urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it reads "WILL KILL – USE GLOVES". My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him accustomed to going to the vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!). But he still turns into this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the cage bars when people in scrubs walk by. BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
Response:
>> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By
fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to
pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they
might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules
are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are
loving cats but > only on their own terms.
My past male cat was a fussbudget. He became less and less so as he got older. He’d let you pick him up, pet him, etc but only for a little while and as soon as he was done he’d start to growl. Touching his underside was a no-no. He was very independent and never was a lap cat. Although he would get in good moods where he’d become very affectioniate. But even still, he was the greatest pet I’ve had. I don’t think having this tempermant is automatically a bad thing. He respects you and you have to respect him. Which I think is fair. Matt – mgreer[at]artic.edu game trade list: www.switchouse.com — username: tortoise * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
Female Fussbudget here… Sade (13 yr. old Ragdoll)! Altho’, coming in second would be Felix (Fussbudget)! :) — "Just Me" Please (removeyourshoes) before replying. "We find comfort among those who agree with us – growth among those who don’t." ~Frank A. Clark
> Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget.
HOWEVER, I do know of male > cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn > literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. > For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is > very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t
met an adult cat that > purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he
flips out. He starts > urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it
reads "WILL KILL – USE > GLOVES". > My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him
accustomed to going to the > vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I > work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!).
But he still turns into > this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the
cage bars when people – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> in scrubs walk by. > BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this > behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! > Kelly > The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has
anyone ever had a male – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
Response:
> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
My mom had a male cat, Fred, who was as picky as you mention, but we considered him to be traumatized, not a fussbudget. When I was a senior in high school, some tiny children (under 5) who lived across the ally from us came up to us to show us what was in this large coffee can with holes punched in the lid – not bugs or such, but kittens! We were horrified and my mom took them home to talk to their parents about putting the kittens in a better environment. I don’t remember all the details, but it turns out all were dead but one little male, who was let out, abandoned and ended up in our tree, and wouldn’t come down (under 6 weeks old). Every morning and evening, my mom put a ladder up and climbed up with food, water and baby talk. After a few days, he started coming to the ground to eat, but would hide if anyone came near. Then he got so he would play with our cat Frisky and his friend, and eventually got so he would be in the yard when my mom was there, but not any other human. By fall, my mom could pick him up and other people could be in the yard if they didn’t move or talk. By the time the weather turned cold, mom got him in the house. He now would let us pet him IF we were seated in a particular chair, which he would sit by on the floor. He got all of his loving from Mom, whose lap he’d jump on and who could carry him – all the normal stuff. Over the next 10 years it didn’t change much, except my brothers and I were less frequently at home as we finished high school and college. Fred seemed to like it when we were home, but still wouldn’t tolerate holding, even from my dad who saw him every day. My dad got cancer and died, and would have loved to have his cat to cuddle in the last months, but Fred was too scared. When Dad died, Fred wanted more attention from Mom, who, in her grief, resented Fred a little. Wierd thing is, after that, the house was so empty that when my brothers and I came home, Fred started getting on our laps. His last 7 years of life, Fred would get his cuddling from any family member who presented a lap, but it took him 11 years to get to that point. It seems that those first few horrible weeks in a coffee can, with who knows what other ignorant mistakes, really damaged his ability to trust. He died at the age of 18, which was pretty good considering how things started for him. He was a really sweet cat. My favorite memory of him was an early one, playing with Frisky, our siamese, and Stubbs, Frisky’s friend. They would take turns chasing each other, with Frisky and Stubbs running slow to let Fred catch them. Stubbs, who was gray like Fred, would also let Fred pretend nurse him. Angel cats. Becky Root
Response:
> Kelly- > I think once a cat/kitten forms a negative opinion of the vets.. > that’s it. No changing it. Chili initially used to *love* going > to the vets. The vet techs all Ohhh’d and Ahhh’d over her and loved > her to death. Then came the time to get spayed. After that she > has not been thrilled to see the vet techs. When they tried to > take her temperature, she scootched her butt down and wrapped her > tail tightly around herself. Hawaii was the same way after her > spay.
Yes actually now that you mention it, he did only get nasty after his neuter. But even then, after he woke up from anesthetic and for the day he was there, he was fine. It was when I brought him back for vaccinations a year later that he flipped out. Weird…. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Jaalinta > "Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be > changed regularly, and for the same reason."- Anonymous > Replace my-deja.com with aol.com to reply directly > Before you buy.
Response:
>The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are.
Yes, the creature leaning against my trackball right now, Mr. Oscar B. Wildecat. Martha B. Denver CO 10/3/83
Response:
This is exactly what my mother’s male cat is like =) I call him SourPuss. He demands attention on his own terms then decides he’s had enough then looks at me and growls as I am petting him. When her other cat walks by he always snarls at him, but her really is quite affectionate when he wants to be. he’s got a little attitude =) — Keep smilin’ Moretakitty >^,,^<
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
– Keep smilin’ Moretakitty >^,,^<
Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget. HOWEVER, I do know of male > cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn > literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. > For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is > very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t met an adult cat that > purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he flips out. He starts > urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it reads "WILL KILL – USE > GLOVES". > My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him accustomed to going to the > vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I > work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!). But he still turns into > this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the cage bars when people > in scrubs walk by. > BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this > behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! > Kelly
Kelly- I think once a cat/kitten forms a negative opinion of the vets.. that’s it. No changing it. Chili initially used to *love* going to the vets. The vet techs all Ohhh’d and Ahhh’d over her and loved her to death. Then came the time to get spayed. After that she has not been thrilled to see the vet techs. When they tried to take her temperature, she scootched her butt down and wrapped her tail tightly around herself. Hawaii was the same way after her spay. — Jaalinta "Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason."- Anonymous Replace my-deja.com with aol.com to reply directly Before you buy.
Response:
– — I think Fred was definitely traumatized. Poor thing! But how wonderful that he was taken in by your family. I got my fussbudgets from the pound in one case and from some people who rescued an abandoned mother cat and her litter in the other. One fussbudget was adopted at 8 weeks of age, and the other at 4 months. I don’t know what happened to them prior to their adoption, but I cannot imagine it was anything nearly as horrible as what happened to Fred. Lynn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My mom had a male cat, Fred, who was as picky as you mention, but we > considered him to be traumatized, not a fussbudget. When I was a senior > in high school, some tiny children (under 5) who lived across the ally > from us came up to us to show us what was in this large coffee can with > holes punched in the lid – not bugs or such, but kittens! We were horrified > and my mom took them home to talk to their parents about putting the kittens > in a better environment. I don’t remember all the details, but it turns out > all were dead but one little male, who was let out, abandoned and ended up > in our tree, and wouldn’t come down (under 6 weeks old). Every morning and > evening, my mom put a ladder up and climbed up with food, water and baby > talk. After a few days, he started coming to the ground to eat, but would > hide if anyone came near. Then he got so he would play with our cat Frisky > and his friend, and eventually got so he would be in the yard when my mom > was there, but not any other human. By fall, my mom could pick him up and > other people could be in the yard if they didn’t move or talk. By the time > the weather turned cold, mom got him in the house. He now would let us > pet him IF we were seated in a particular chair, which he would sit by > on the floor. He got all of his loving from Mom, whose lap he’d jump on > and who could carry him – all the normal stuff. Over the next 10 years it > didn’t change much, except my brothers and I were less frequently at home > as we finished high school and college. Fred seemed to like it when we > were home, but still wouldn’t tolerate holding, even from my dad who > saw him every day. My dad got cancer and died, and would have loved to > have his cat to cuddle in the last months, but Fred was too scared. When > Dad died, Fred wanted more attention from Mom, who, in her grief, resented > Fred a little. Wierd thing is, after that, the house was so empty that > when my brothers and I came home, Fred started getting on our laps. His > last 7 years of life, Fred would get his cuddling from any family member > who presented a lap, but it took him 11 years to get to that point. It > seems that those first few horrible weeks in a coffee can, with who > knows what other ignorant mistakes, really damaged his ability to trust. > He died at the age of 18, which was pretty good considering how things > started for him. He was a really sweet cat. My favorite memory of him > was an early one, playing with Frisky, our siamese, and Stubbs, Frisky’s > friend. They would take turns chasing each other, with Frisky and Stubbs > running slow to let Fred catch them. Stubbs, who was gray like Fred, > would also let Fred pretend nurse him. Angel cats. > Becky Root
Response:
Yeah, I have 4 neutered males who are all fussbudgets in their own ways. One runs from us all the time, except on the rare occasions when he purrfully wants to be cuddled. He’s the youngest in the group and I think has been forced to submit to the 2 elder. Our stray who is in and out of house used to snap or swipe if you went for anything but his head or back to pet. He’s getting better. My second one, Louie, growls when we are grooming him (long cottony hair) when he is sick of it. He also growls as he carries favorite toy mice around in his mouth, especiallly if one of the others get too interested. My eldest, Sammy, is now very sweet and let’s anyone pet him and lays in laps etc., but for the first 3 years we had him (he was adult when we got him out of paper) he hid all the time. He was definitely traumatized in some way. I’m hoping that Zeke, the running away one, will get more affectionate as time goes on. We got him at 10 weeks and he is very much loved and cared for. He does have the LONG hair, and they resent being groomed daily, even tho we’ve been doing it their entire lives. I almost think he learned to run from copying the eldest when he was a kitten, who was still in his run and hide stage at that time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. >Lynn
– Colette
Response:
The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. Lynn
Response:
>The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean >they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what >part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to >permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; >sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but >only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very >meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so >discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The >fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male >fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are >fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are.
My kato is a bit of a fussbuget (male). He doesn’t really like having his belly rubbed and usually only wants to be petted for 15 seconds or so. Growing up in a barn fending off cayote’s probably didn’t help. Jessi (female) is the opposite. She’ll hop on anyone’s lap, and can be held upsidedown nearly indefineately as long as she is being petted. The only exception is that she is very sensative about her tail. Touch it and she’ll swing around and attack every time, probably because it is such a great toy for kittens. http://www.pobox.com/~TCS-cats
Response:
Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget. HOWEVER, I do know of male cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t met an adult cat that purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he flips out. He starts urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it reads "WILL KILL – USE GLOVES". My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him accustomed to going to the vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!). But he still turns into this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the cage bars when people in scrubs walk by. BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
Response:
>> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By
fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to
pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they
might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules
are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are
loving cats but > only on their own terms.
My past male cat was a fussbudget. He became less and less so as he got older. He’d let you pick him up, pet him, etc but only for a little while and as soon as he was done he’d start to growl. Touching his underside was a no-no. He was very independent and never was a lap cat. Although he would get in good moods where he’d become very affectioniate. But even still, he was the greatest pet I’ve had. I don’t think having this tempermant is automatically a bad thing. He respects you and you have to respect him. Which I think is fair. Matt – mgreer[at]artic.edu game trade list: www.switchouse.com — username: tortoise * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
Female Fussbudget here… Sade (13 yr. old Ragdoll)! Altho’, coming in second would be Felix (Fussbudget)! :) — "Just Me" Please (removeyourshoes) before replying. "We find comfort among those who agree with us – growth among those who don’t." ~Frank A. Clark
> Nope I haven’t experienced a male cat fussbudget.
HOWEVER, I do know of male > cats that are the loviest most affectionate cats at home, but then they turn > literally PSYCHO when they are taken to the vets. > For instance, my boyfriend’s cat is wonderful. He’s this big 20lb cat who is > very affectionate. This cat purrs SOOO much. I haven’t
met an adult cat that > purrs more than him. But when he goes to the vets, he
flips out. He starts > urinating everywhere and going psycho. On his file, it
reads "WILL KILL – USE > GLOVES". > My Sandy is the same way. I have tried to get him
accustomed to going to the > vets like my other cats. Like bringing him there, keeping him there while I > work, and bringing him home (NO NEEDLES or prodding!).
But he still turns into > this big meanie psycho cat. He even tries to attack the
cage bars when people – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> in scrubs walk by. > BTW for those of you reading this…. *Any suggestions to remedy this > behaviour??!?!* I have literally tried everything!!! > Kelly > The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has
anyone ever had a male – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
Response:
> The only fussbudget cats I have known were female. By fussbudget, I mean > they have very strong preferences as to whom they allow to pet them, what > part of their bodies they allow to be touched, and when they might deign to > permit someone to pick them up. They growl when their rules are violated; > sometimes they even bite if offended sufficiently. They are loving cats but > only on their own terms. They would prefer to be only cats, and are very > meticulous with their grooming. I have never known a male cat to be so > discriminating regarding the giving and receiving of affection. The > fussbudgets are also somewhat grumpy at times. Has anyone ever had a male > fussbudget, or is this strictly a female phenomenon? Not all females are > fussbudgets, of course, but some I have known (and loved dearly) sure are. > Lynn
My mom had a male cat, Fred, who was as picky as you mention, but we considered him to be traumatized, not a fussbudget. When I was a senior in high school, some tiny children (under 5) who lived across the ally from us came up to us to show us what was in this large coffee can with holes punched in the lid – not bugs or such, but kittens! We were horrified and my mom took them home to talk to their parents about putting the kittens in a better environment. I don’t remember all the details, but it turns out all were dead but one little male, who was let out, abandoned and ended up in our tree, and wouldn’t come down (under 6 weeks old). Every morning and evening, my mom put a ladder up and climbed up with food, water and baby talk. After a few days, he started coming to the ground to eat, but would hide if anyone came near. Then he got so he would play with our cat Frisky and his friend, and eventually got so he would be in the yard when my mom was there, but not any other human. By fall, my mom could pick him up and other people could be in the yard if they didn’t move or talk. By the time the weather turned cold, mom got him in the house. He now would let us pet him IF we were seated in a particular chair, which he would sit by on the floor. He got all of his loving from Mom, whose lap he’d jump on and who could carry him – all the normal stuff. Over the next 10 years it didn’t change much, except my brothers and I were less frequently at home as we finished high school and college. Fred seemed to like it when we were home, but still wouldn’t tolerate holding, even from my dad who saw him every day. My dad got cancer and died, and would have loved to have his cat to cuddle in the last months, but Fred was too scared. When Dad died, Fred wanted more attention from Mom, who, in her grief, resented Fred a little. Wierd thing is, after that, the house was so empty that when my brothers and I came home, Fred started getting on our laps. His last 7 years of life, Fred would get his cuddling from any family member who presented a lap, but it took him 11 years to get to that point. It seems that those first few horrible weeks in a coffee can, with who knows what other ignorant mistakes, really damaged his ability to trust. He died at the age of 18, which was pretty good considering how things started for him. He was a really sweet cat. My favorite memory of him was an early one, playing with Frisky, our siamese, and Stubbs, Frisky’s friend. They would take turns chasing each other, with Frisky and Stubbs running slow to let Fred catch them. Stubbs, who was gray like Fred, would also let Fred pretend nurse him. Angel cats. Becky Root
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