One of my cats has changed personalities completely

[bratcatinok]

On the 18th of August I had emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer. I was in ICU for 4 days and it was touch'n'go as to whether I was going to make it or not. In all I was in the hospital for 9 days and got home on the 27th.

Eve is 3 years old, has some siamese in her and is solid black. She was my son's cat until he moved into a place where he couldn't keep her so she came to live with me. She's not been an affectionate cat but was the comic of the group. She'd rather attack your feet or play hide'n'seek with our dog than have anything to do with us humans.

Since I've been home, Eve sleeps with me and has to be in the same room as I am all of the time. If I'm in the computer room she either is laying on my feet or wants up in my lap. If I'm in the den watching tv, she's wanting to be in my lap or laying next to me.

She used to play with our dog and she'd let him bully her around...not anymore. She stares him down and he backs off now.

What's going on with her? Will she revert back once I'm back up on my feet?

[Lavender Brown]

1. Sounds like she knows you were unwell

and wants to keep an eye on you. :)

[Fovea]

2. She is comforting you

My cats have done this since my stroke. I think they can smell pain.
When I am not feeling good, one or the other of them is on my lap.
One of my legs is always cold, and one of the cats is unfailingly laying on it at night.

This is how cats generally behave to other cats in their pride as well.

[bratcatinok]

5. It's very disconcerting since

I would have expected this type of behaviour out of Brat, the calico. She's the oldest of the cats and has been with me since she was a kitten. Now, Brat ignores me and Eve has turned into my lap cat.

[Fovea]

11. Pride dynamics might be at work

Is Brat an older cat?
Eve may just be a bit more hormonal, and be the momma cat of the pride.


I have had cats all my life, and I have always been amazed at the depth of their family life. I think that they were domesticatable because they are social, even if diffidently so at times.
I have had cats ignore me so hard it made them pant.

[calico1]

3. Animals can sense when you are sick.

About 5 years ago, my boyfriend was very sick with the flu. One day I came home from work and he told me the two cats stayed in bed with him the entire day save for little breaks (probably to eat and use litter box). At the time we had 2 cats. Now these two did not like eachother at all. They barely tolerated one an other and just tried to stay out of eachother's way. But while he was sick they were on their best behavior, never fighting or hissing at eachother. Just being two good little kitties--one on each side of him keeping him company until I got home from work. We don't give animals all the credit they deserve. They are much smarter and intuitive than we often think.

[demnan]

4. She sure missed you

and is reverting to the Siamese in her character (jealous, affectionate and possessive).

She is going to nurse you back to health single pawedly. She doesn't want the dog to interfere, Siamese are bossy that way, and they always know what's best.

Glad you made it - you have a loyal mistress who wants you around for a while.

[barb162]

6. oh this poor baby

was traumatized by your leaving ( read: abandoning) her. She will probably snap out of it in a few weeks once she is SURE you wont leave again. My oldest cat acts this way a lot when I went on vacations. HOPE YOU'RE FEELING A LOT BETTER! Give Eve a big hug.

[redqueen]

7. I think she missed you terribly.

She'll probably revert a bit once you're back to your regular routine, but I wouldn't be surprised if she stays affectionate. She must've realized how much you mean to her while you were away.

That's so sweet... and so glad to hear you're ok... my grandfather passed away like that before I was born... not something to take lightly.

:hug:

[bratcatinok]

13. I feel so badly for all of our little menagerie.

"Ma" (me) was in the hospital and "Pa" (fiance) was staying with "Ma" in the hospital. "Gammy" (fiance's Mom) checked in every morning and every evening to walk our dog and to make sure everyone had food and water. Occasionally "Pa" would come home for fresh clothes and to check on the house since the hospital was 30 miles away from home.

Our dog was estatic when I came home but I expected that from him. I didn't expect Eve to completely switch personality.

I still have the ulcer but it has been patched. The funny thing is, I didn't know I had an ulcer. I rarely needed any type of antacid. Tests were being done to see if I was having gallbladder attacks. The night I went to the ER it was because the pain had spread to the lower abdomen. That's when they discovered the perforated ulcer through a 2nd catscan.

I already knew Eve wasn't going to go back to live with my son because she was such a great companion and play friend for my dog.
She was fun to have around and I loved her before but now she's really becoming my cat.

[Ready4Change]

8. Sounds like you're her kitten.

Get ready for get well mice, if you haven't been recieving them before now. (Assuming she has access to them somewhere.)

Siamese breeds tend to get very attached to people. So just your being away for 4 days might have gotten her a bit concerned.

Get well soon.

[jukes]

9. she's nursing you

cats def can be that way.

my guess is she'll stay somewhat more affectionate after your illness is over.

sorry you were so sick, bet that hurt.

[skygazer]

10. My cat does the same

He is normally a big pain in the butt when I am home, asking to go out every five minutes only to come in again and ask for food, or water, or whatever.

I had surgery in January and he never left my side when i got home. It was so sweet - while my husband was at work and Oops and I were home alone, he simply cuddled up to me and loved me and never asked for a thing. Once Michael got home, he'd pester him but be very gentle with me.

Now that I'm fully recovered, he's back to his old self. I imagine your kitty will do the same.

I'm glad you got through your ordeal. Best wishes for a full recovery.

[truthspeaker]

12. She's lulling you into a false sense of security.

Then when you least expect it, BLAMMO!

[bratcatinok]

14. I'm just waiting for her to jump up onto my tummy.

I have a scar from my sternum to my belly button which is still in the healing process. I'm terrified of that BLAMMO when she lands smack, dab in the middle of my tummy.