Untrusting cat

[TimeBender]

Yo, so i ll try to make this quick.

I have a male cat that s about 5 years old, normal cat and everything but when he was like 3 yrs old i left for about 5 months for work and when i got back something changed, i tried to play with him as usual but he seemed distant then again after 1 year in which he stayed changed i left again for 5 month (work) but when i got back it s like he never knew me and for about 2 years he stays always hidden he eats only when i m in my room, if i try to get closer to his hiding he hisses and everything.

It s like i don t even own a cat, i just feed him

 

[SirMeow]

Alas he's forgotten you. One doesn't expect to see this with a cat, but it does happen. A dog is much less likely to forget, even after years.

Happened to me in fact, with our family's cat. So friendly and affectionate, I hadn't seen him for a couple of years due to covid, but when I finally did, he'd completely forgotten me. He looks at me wide eyed with fear and if I get too close, he'll run away.

A family member was able to grab him and gently hold him. I could then sit next to him and stroke him, but he wasn't happy about it, unfortunately. Such a shame. This is how he behaved when they first got him until he got used to me, so I guess enough contact would forge a new friendship.

I renamed the silly thing Scaredy after that.

Welcome to Feline Forums.

 

[KittyJ]

Typically, cats forget their owners after 2 weeks of absence.

You're just going to have to reintroduce yourself and rekindle your relationship.

 

[SirMeow]

A mere two weeks?! Crikey.

 

[KittyJ]

That's what I thought! I've never left my cat alone for that long so I can't say it's true or not based on experience.

 

[Gizmoandsooz]

Try buying some feliway spray that you spray in each room you intend to try and trust him.