Should I be worried about my cat?

[Laura Palmer]

My cat is 7 and always kind of a jerk. She hates snuggles when I'm awake, kneads me when I'm sleeping though, generally not close to us. We've always picked her up and tried to snuggle with her. She never liked it, but she's wriggle and we'd put her down.

Now, if we come within a foot of her, she hisses. She doesn't come down to greet us when we come home, she doesn't beg to come into the bathroom anymore -- generally her routine is off. She hasn't been peeing or pooping outside her box, and the vet said she was A-OK only two weeks ago.

What gives? Is she jerkier in her old(er) age, or should we take her back for another check-up? Right now I'm just ignoring her and making empty threats about giving her away. (I love her and would never ever do that, even if she hisses until the day she dies.)

[niemand88f]

I would probably call the vet at least, behavioral changes often indicate a problem. She might be in pain and avoiding you to avoid being touched. Is she eating and drinking normally?

[polarbearfans]

I would take her to the vet. At her age any behavior changes are a concern. Cats are masters at hiding illness. I've had to take a cat back to the vet days after a clean check up. Sometimes these things just become noticeable later. She's also more likely to try to hide an illness fro someone she doesn't see often or trust like the vet.

[Laura Palmer]

Thanks ladies. We "made up" yesterday - so I'm going to see if she is still a jerk today. If she is at all not herself, off to the vet we go!

H thinks she was having a bad day and reminded me I get moody, too.

[kellbell191]

Have you tried a feliway diffuser or calming collar with her? My jerky cat becomes psychotic when things stress him out. Feliway makes him a nice dude 80% of the time.

[Laura Palmer]

I didn't -- she seems ok today (of course, the minute I was calling to make the vet appt she came down all smiley).

I will get one of those. I don't know what could possibly stress her out, but who knows. Thanks!!!

[kellbell191]

I just refilled his feliway three days ago and he has been all over us, purring and snuggling. Right before it ran out he kept smacking me and doing his attack cat impersonation. Jekyl and Hyde I tell you.

[Laura Palmer]

Watch - now that I've cancelled her appt with the vet, she'll be a little shit again.

She was back to her old routine yesterday (at least, doing what she does when H is out of town) and even groomed me this morning. We'll see what shennanigans she has for me tonight.