Why is my cat so mean to everyone but me? This is a common question cat parents ask themselves.
Cats can be mean to everyone but their owners—even their children and other pets.
This may be because they are simply not used to the people or animals, or it could be that something is bothering them.
Table of Contents
The Problem
The first thing to do is to make sure nothing is wrong with your cat.
Cats are creatures of habit, so if there are changes in the home, your cat may be acting out.
For example, your cat may relieve itself in the house and in the presence of strangers or it may start biting people.
Also, if the behavior has been going on for some time and has not changed at all, it could be a sign of something serious.
However, if he is just being cranky with everyone but you and is still biting when people try to pet him, then something else might be going on.
Reasons and Solutions
Socialization
Cats are not the most social animals in the world.
This is probably because they are hunters and do not have to rely on each other for food or protection.
If your cat is acting out with everyone but you, he may just need some time to warm up to your guests.
You can help by setting aside time when your friends are over to play with the cat. Make sure you are watching while playing with him.
Playtime is a great way for cats to learn new people and your cat may be more comfortable around the guests when he gets used to you being around.
Invite your friends over to dinner sometime, but ask them to come fifteen minutes before dinner so that everyone can hang out with the cat before eating.
This will help get your cat used to the presence of strangers in your home.
Cats are creatures of habit, so it may take some time, but eventually, you will see improvement in their behavior.
If your cat is not acting out with strangers or other pets, then something else may bothering him and should be addressed.
Sometimes it might be the home itself. If you have other pets, make sure nothing is bothering them either.
There are also times when cats do not like their surroundings and this leads them to act out.
For example, a cat that is used to being in a certain position in the home may be uncomfortable in a new location.
Change in scenery can cause a great deal of stress for cats and they react in a number of ways.
If your cat is constantly hissing and growling at everyone but you and you cannot identify a reason why, then complications may arise.
Everyone becomes frustrated with your cat’s bad behavior and what was once a wonderful family pet can turn into a prisoner in the house or worse.
Cats are not as mean as they seem. Your cat is used to being the center of attention and has been acting out because he does not like the company.
To get your cat back to its normal behavior, you may need to start over.
You can try giving him more attention by playing with him in the presence of visitors and guests.
A Change of Diet
Some people say that changing the cat’s diet might alleviate this problem.
If your cat is not used to his current diet, then switching it up completely can help alleviate stress caused by change.
For example, if he eats dry food all day long, switch him over to wet food during the evening hours.
Try feeding him a different type of wet food if he is not used to it.
Also, if he eats dry food before you get home from work, switch him over to a different brand or type of dry food so that he has something new.
Shyness in Your Cat
If your cat is constantly trying to get away from strangers, then he just might be shy.
Shyness can be treated in a number of ways. For example, when your cat meets new guests, try singing to him.
Singing will calm him down and make him feel more comfortable around the company.
Also, if he is too shy to come out from under his favorite spot, you can build a cat tree for him.
These trees are designed to be large and sturdy enough for cats to climb on and help them feel more secure.
The cat may still be acting out due to personal stress in the home. For example, the cat may have been abused or even abandoned by its previous owners and is scared of anyone new.
In this case, the best thing to do is to put him in a calm environment and try not to rush him.
Other Pets
If you have any other pets in the home, make sure you give them some extra attention.
If your cat is used to being around other cats or dogs, he may be acting out because the other animals are not getting along very well, or they may have been abused by guests in your home.
If this is the case, you should try getting your cat used to other pets or dogs gradually.
Try placing your cat near the other animals and letting him get used to them over a few days.
By doing this, he will ultimately be able to trust others and become more comfortable around them.
If your cat is not allowing children or other pets to pet him, then he may be afraid of them.
If this is the case, you should try taming him slightly by taping a teddy bear on the top of his cage or putting a blanket in his favorite spot.
This will show him that there are no bad intentions and that you are only trying to help him feel more comfortable with other people.
Cats are Territorial
Cats are very territorial animals and very protective of their territory. They do not usually enjoy being around other cats.
For this reason, it is important to keep any other pets in mind.
If you have more than one pet in the home, try talking to your cat about what is safe and what is not.
For example, if there are other cats in the home, he must know that playing with them is okay and that they will not be harmful towards him.
Also, any new guests or visitors must be warned to behave around your cat in a manner similar to how they would with their own pets.
Finally, you must not cover up his favorite spots. If you must, make sure the entrance to the hiding spot is large enough for him to get out of them quickly if he needs to.
Cats are very protective of their turf and will react aggressively.
For this reason, it is important that they have a wide territory in which they feel safe and comfortable.
This area should be at least a few feet from all other pets but also within full view of the rest of the home.
If you have any other pets in the home, make sure to give them plenty of space and time to themselves.
If you see your cat growling at another pet, try talking to him about it and showing him that his territory is safe.
Further Considerations
One of the best ways to support a problem cat is to provide as much attention as possible, whether it be support or playtime.
You can raise your cat’s attitude with proper attention, play, or toys
You can provide additional attention to your cat if he acts aggressively towards other people or pets.
For example, you can spend extra time talking to him and telling him how great he is.
If he shows signs of fear, try making him feel safe by talking to him in a calm voice or even singing.
Try not to leave any other pets around your cat. If there are any cats inside the home, it is best that they stay somewhere else when there are guests over.
There are a number of issues that you can deal with on your own.
For example, if your cat is not allowed to roam freely and is confined to a small area of the house, you can make his area more comfortable by providing toys and other items for him to play with and sleep on.
It is also important that cats get plenty of time outside in order for them to become accustomed to other animals.
If your cat does not have enough time outside, then he will be nervous around new people and pets.
Another way to adjust your cat’s attitude is to treat him as just that.
He is a cat and not a human. For this reason, you should never try to force him to do anything as it can have very bad results.
If the problem is still not resolving itself, then it is best that you take your cat to the vet.
You can talk about ways in which they may be able to help you find a solution or at least calm your pet down during stressful situations.
Always provide the correct information about the situation so that they can properly diagnose your cat and find a solution.
Final Thoughts
There is a big role that you can have in supporting a problem cat.
First, you must understand the reasons behind the behavior.
Next, you must provide lots of extra attention and concern and show your cat that he is important to you and his needs are important.
