SterlingsMom
Lairian
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2016
- Messages
- 15
- Points
- 4
Hello everyone!
I'm new so hopefully I am starting this thread correctly and you guys can see it. Anyways, I'm having some behavioral problems with my sphynx that I would love some suggestions on how to correct if anyone has ideas or has experienced a similar issue. I'll give some background (probably too much lol) so you understand my situation completely.
I have a blue point, neutered male sphynx named Sterling, whom I love and adore. He is now almost 9 and a half months old. I got him from a very reputable breeder in my area when he was 13 weeks old. I visited her cattery several times before and after he was born. From my visit I could tell that her breeding cats and kittens were all very well taken care of and socialized. Sterling is very affectionate and lovable towards myself. He greets me at the door, sits in my lap, climbs on my shoulders, snuggles with me at night and loves to give and get kisses. I am a college student who lives alone in a small apartment so Sterling and I will often travel to my parents house a short drive away for some company and room for him to run around like a wild man (he is awesome in the car btw!). He is also affectionate towards my parents and absolutely LOVES the family dog. He is wonderful with other animals, as I sometimes bring him to visit my grandma who also has a dog that he likes.
Lately, however, I have been having problems with Sterling and visitors to my home (or my parents, depending on where we are). He has been displaying aggressive behavior to strangers. He is not scared or shy when anyone comes over, he is quite the opposite actually. He will greet visitors at the door and seem extremely interested and friendly, even rubbing up on their legs and purring, gladly receiving pets and affection. Later on during the stay, if they try to pet him again he does not display the same behavior he does when they first arrive. He will meow or make a groaning sound (I'm not sure if its growling) and turn his head and act like he is going to bite. He has never actually bitten anyone, he just threatens to. I was extremely shocked when I had a friend come over several weeks ago and he displayed this behavior as he had never done it before! Since then I have had numerous people over and it is the same story. He even hissed at one friend! And this was after he greeted her at the door and even jumped on her shoulder! I'm not really sure what is going on. I should also mention that when someone is over he doesn't really let me pet him as much either or show the same affection as when it is just us. Like I said, he is not skittish or shy when I have people over, he will still walk around or lounge (even by the visitor at times) like usual and doesn't seem to be distressed in anyway. He just will not let anyone he doesn't know pet him! I find his sudden apprehension to be pet by strangers extremely odd and uncalled for as he is friendly and receptive to them at the door when they first arrive.
Both of his parents were very affectionate and great with strangers. I know that he was socialized well as a kitten before I brought him home and he is very loved on now by myself, so this issue is not stemming from trauma or abuse. He is my very first sphynx and cat in general, as I've always had dogs. Is this some sort of kitten phase that he will grow out of? Does anyone have any idea why he suddenly is not friendly with strangers? Could it be territorial aggression? I'm nervous about having any friends or family over that he doesn't know or taking him to future vet visits because he may display aggression there as well. Any and all advise, suggestions or personal stories to help me help Sterling will be greatly appreciated!
I'm new so hopefully I am starting this thread correctly and you guys can see it. Anyways, I'm having some behavioral problems with my sphynx that I would love some suggestions on how to correct if anyone has ideas or has experienced a similar issue. I'll give some background (probably too much lol) so you understand my situation completely.
I have a blue point, neutered male sphynx named Sterling, whom I love and adore. He is now almost 9 and a half months old. I got him from a very reputable breeder in my area when he was 13 weeks old. I visited her cattery several times before and after he was born. From my visit I could tell that her breeding cats and kittens were all very well taken care of and socialized. Sterling is very affectionate and lovable towards myself. He greets me at the door, sits in my lap, climbs on my shoulders, snuggles with me at night and loves to give and get kisses. I am a college student who lives alone in a small apartment so Sterling and I will often travel to my parents house a short drive away for some company and room for him to run around like a wild man (he is awesome in the car btw!). He is also affectionate towards my parents and absolutely LOVES the family dog. He is wonderful with other animals, as I sometimes bring him to visit my grandma who also has a dog that he likes.
Lately, however, I have been having problems with Sterling and visitors to my home (or my parents, depending on where we are). He has been displaying aggressive behavior to strangers. He is not scared or shy when anyone comes over, he is quite the opposite actually. He will greet visitors at the door and seem extremely interested and friendly, even rubbing up on their legs and purring, gladly receiving pets and affection. Later on during the stay, if they try to pet him again he does not display the same behavior he does when they first arrive. He will meow or make a groaning sound (I'm not sure if its growling) and turn his head and act like he is going to bite. He has never actually bitten anyone, he just threatens to. I was extremely shocked when I had a friend come over several weeks ago and he displayed this behavior as he had never done it before! Since then I have had numerous people over and it is the same story. He even hissed at one friend! And this was after he greeted her at the door and even jumped on her shoulder! I'm not really sure what is going on. I should also mention that when someone is over he doesn't really let me pet him as much either or show the same affection as when it is just us. Like I said, he is not skittish or shy when I have people over, he will still walk around or lounge (even by the visitor at times) like usual and doesn't seem to be distressed in anyway. He just will not let anyone he doesn't know pet him! I find his sudden apprehension to be pet by strangers extremely odd and uncalled for as he is friendly and receptive to them at the door when they first arrive.
Both of his parents were very affectionate and great with strangers. I know that he was socialized well as a kitten before I brought him home and he is very loved on now by myself, so this issue is not stemming from trauma or abuse. He is my very first sphynx and cat in general, as I've always had dogs. Is this some sort of kitten phase that he will grow out of? Does anyone have any idea why he suddenly is not friendly with strangers? Could it be territorial aggression? I'm nervous about having any friends or family over that he doesn't know or taking him to future vet visits because he may display aggression there as well. Any and all advise, suggestions or personal stories to help me help Sterling will be greatly appreciated!