The Sniff Test

Tyche and my mom finally made friends.

My mom picked Tyche up by the scruff at 6 months of age (!!) thinking
that was an appropriate way to lift a cat. Unsurprisingly it hurt and
Tyche snarled and hissed until she was released. I explained to Mom
that a mother cat only does that to her kittens at very young ages, and
older cats need to be supported when lifted.

polonca12000...

Jo Firey...

Well, an adult cat can be scruffed. My daughter used to work for a vet and
she does it all the time to her cats and to mine. They don't object and
they adore her. But you really have to know how to do it and she does
support the back half with her other hand.

John F. Eldredge...

Yes, I think the issue is that an adult cat shouldn't be lifted by
only the scruff. When it is time to take my cat to the vet, and I
have to lift her into the carrying cage, I hold her with one hand on
the scruff of her neck and the other under her hind legs. She still
struggles a little, but not nearly as much as if I weren't holding the
back of her neck.

Anyway, that was the start of Tyche's stranger hate. Tyche has been
very growly and hissy to my mom, less so to my dad. I remember once
she was rubbing against my dad's legs--still hissing, but with her tail
straight up and nuzzling her head into his calves. "She's all talk,"
he said.

Anyway, my mom tried to make friends with Tyche and growl, hiss, but my
dad could pet her and make her purr. Mom got annoyed and wanted to pet
her too. So Dad showed her how he held out his hand and let Tyche
sniff him and waited for her to accept him before he tried to touch
her.

Lorraine...

Ty still demands a sniff test for us even after living here almost two
years. She'll pull her head back quickly if you move in to give her
scritches without letting her smell your hand first. She doesn't hiss
or growl though. She just looks really annoyed, and a little bit
disgusted that you even tried such a thing.

So my mom held out her hand. Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff...

My mom got impatient and, thinking this had lasted long enough, went to
pet her. Immediately the ears went back and the growl started.

Mom withdrew her hand back to starting position. Sniff, sniff, sniff,
sniff, sniff....my mom was rolling her eyes at how long this was taking

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

Sheesh, mom - patience, patience! :)

when she felt a nudge.

Marina...

LOL! Glad the wait paid off in the end.

Tyche had shut her eyes and thrust her head forward in the classic
"lick me" posture.

So, after two years, my mom and Tyche are back on purring terms.

Randy...

Aw, thats sweet. Tippy doesn't like strangers at all, he'll growl and hiss at
everyone. If you hold out your hand to him he will usually sniff but then start
growling and hissing. We call him our little watch cat.

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

Oh, no - not Tippy! You're destroying my illusions!! :)

Kreisleriana...

Will he approach someone who is not looking at him or paying attention
to him in any way? My little Mimi did not like being approached, but
if someone did not approach her or look at her, her curiosity would
get the better of her, and she would roll up and start sniffing. And

Randy...

Yea, sorry. Tippy doesn't like strangers at all. He would probably like you
thought as he also reads this group with me on the weekends and knows you have
his picture on your computer. :-)

then, little by little, she would OWN people. ;)

Theresa

Make Levees, Not War

Adrian A...

That's good to hear. :-) Some hoomins can be quite difficult to train. ;o)

polonca12000...

What a wonderful story!
Best wishes,
Polonca and Soncek

Kreisleriana...

If only people would understand that it sometimes takes patience to
make friends with an animal. It's that lack of patience that will
kill the relationship every time. There are some beasties-- cats and
dogs-- who need you to sit quietly and let them check you out
thoroughly before they will let you touch.

Theresa

Make Levees, Not War

CatNipped...

Heh! Your mom got off easy - think if that had been Nocturne she had
treated like that! ;>

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

Whew! Just in time! :)