I would get her to a vet first thing to rule out any potentially dangerous medical problems. It's worth the risk, in my opinion, and you can ask the vet for tips on dealing with her anxiety while you're having her checked out.

Good luck!

 

Have her nails been clipped? Based on what you've said, I'm betting not. When a cat's nails are too long they get very sharp and protrude out beyond the end of the foot...they will end up scratching accidentally. In addition, the nail can grow back on itself and embed in the pad, which is likely to cause a nasty infection. So you need to get them clipped, whether you do it or have the vet do it when you go. Here's an article that describes how to clip nails:

http://www.declawing.com/htmls/trimming.htm

Other than that, she still sounds like a normal cat adjusting to a new home. The change in greeting ritual may mean something, maybe not...cats are that way...they wouldn't want you to think you have them figured out.

Sticking paws in water, dumping food on the floor...yup, all very normal for some cats.

Have you ever had a cat before? You seem a bit intimidated by it all and she may be picking up on that. Maybe reading a book or two on cat behavior or talking all of this over with the vet or the shelter you adopted her from would help.

 

I didn't read anything in there either that's unusual or abnormal behavior, or any real cause for concern. Cat behavior covers a whole range of personality types, just like people. Apparently you just adopted a cat that doesn't behave as you expected a cat to behave.

But don't fret as I really don't think there's anything wrong with this cat. You and the cat are still learning about each other and gettiing used to each other. Don't be afraid to tell your cat "No!!" when she does something she shouldn't do. She may not obey -- cats are very independent-minded, and don't try to discipline her because at this point she's still making up her mind whether you're to be trusted or not.

Over time you'll get used to each other. For now, maybe you want to back off a bit. Don't force yourself on her. Give her some space to get comfortable. She'll come around to you when she's ready. I think most new cat owners go through period of time (and more than once) when they think that things aren't going too well. Just hang in there.

 

I agree with all the above. Sounds like normal cat behavior.
I used to have a cat that always dug in his food and water (go figure) and Nanook always prefers his food on the floor so I put their bowls on a large tray.
Every cat is different and has their own way of doing things but they are very good at training us if we pay attention.

 

Don’t worry about scaring her by taking her to the vet. Cats recover from any trauma, fairly quickly once they are home. It’s more important you make sure she is healthy. You can also have the vet show you how to trim her nails. She may hide for a bit when you first get home. Or just give you attitude.

Try feeding her off a paper plate. Some cats don’t like sticking there face in a bowl.

If she wakes you up in the middle of the night, don’t pay any attention to her. Try to ignore her, if it’s something you absolutely can’t ignore, pick her up and put her on the floor, without saying a word. She’ll probably jump back up but she’ll get the idea eventually.

As far as not greeting you when you come home. My cat started doing this and eventually I figured this out: she was training me. She prefers being in the bedroom so she goes in knowing I’ll usually follow her to give her some pets. If I don’t go in right away I see her sticking her little nose out to see where I went. Sometimes way she’ll come back out, make sure I see her and repeat the process. If you can resist her charms, she’ll start coming out to greet you again.

The good news is, I noticed my cat only started training me after she eally became comfortable with me and her new home.

 

Re: STRANGE BEHAVIORS FROM MY ADOPTED CAT. DESPERATE FOR ADV

Hi there,

Also, she is very messy with her food and water. Can someone help with this? She puts her paw in her food, and throws it out of her bowl to eat what she wants off the floor, and she also sticks her paw in her water bowl from time to time (tracking water on all the floors and bedding when shes comes on the bed). Now, I should add that she comes into my bed to sleep near me every night, frequently waking me to have me pet her, and she even licked me last night a few times, but I feel that may be just because she wants food or my body heat, LOL!

ANY HELP IS SO APPRECIATED!

Yep.....just like a cat!!!! Squeaks won't eat anything out of your hand, and it MUST be on the ground!! You can put something for her to have on the couch, and she will push it to the ground before she even thinks of eating!!! As far as water, this is a game. Squeaks and Taz love water running in the sink, but they stick their paws in it then shake them, so it gts all over the mirror. As far as night behavior, one night squeaks will sleep between us, the next night she's nowhere to be found. The next night she may meow at me to roll over so SHE can sleep on the edge of the bed. Taz just sleeps on our feet, or the back of the couch when its snowing so she can watch it. Or tearing around about 1am and waking everyone in the house up. Just make sure that you show her/him your caring, snuggly side......she will get better.

 

Hi there, Quincey.

I just wanted to let you know that I have a cat that we rescued from the pound when she was a little over a year old and she is JUST NOW (after almost 7 years of owning her) becoming affectionate with me.

She has never been a very friendly cat and has just always much preferred that we leave her alone. She has gotten better, recently, but I think it's because we've always just let her do her own thing; never forced her to be petted or touched. She's always been happy just having the run of the house, food in her bowl and several places to sleep. We figure if she wanted attention, she knows she can come for it.

She could be frightened, she could have been mistreated before you or she could just be the typw of cat that isn't very affectionate.

Being fairly new to your situation, she's probably most certainly nervous and just not at ease with things, yet.

I hope you've taken her for at least one vet visit (to make sure she's gotten all her shots and that she's reasonably healthy), but if you haven't, even if it makes her unhappy, you should go ahead and do that. You're responsible for her, so even if it pisses her off for a day, you have to make sure she's healthy!

Good luck!

 

It sounds like Quincey is just being a cat, adjusting to a new human and a new home. I wouldn't try to force affection on her, just give her warm, comfy beds, fresh food and water, and clean litter box(es). Giver her some space, if thats what she wants.
And a vet checkup couldn't hurt.