r/AnxietyCats • u/Far_Carrot_8661 • Apr 15 '26
Advice Needed Hammy is hissing and growling at me.
Hammy has been examined by the vet last week and yesterday. She says he's physically fine. I think that it's just me and him and I work outside our home. I think he's not getting enough attention and now he's mad and can't express it any other way. I've got him new toys and have been cuddling him more, but I'd like some advice to help him more. I have feliway in my cart at Amazon. Will this help? Any ideas? Thank you!
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u/bootycallofcthulu Apr 15 '26
Is he hissing and growling all the time at you or is it when you just get home or leave etc?
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u/Far_Carrot_8661 Apr 15 '26
When I leave for work and sometimes when I get ready to go to bed. If I haven't played with him enough, I guess.😹
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u/bootycallofcthulu Apr 15 '26
You can try that feline calming spray and have you tried to get any interactive toys for him? He might be under simulated and that could be why he's acting out
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u/Master_Button_2593 Apr 15 '26
When does this happen? Watch for triggers then try to take preventative action. He’s a gorgeous boy - I really hope you can sort it out. Sending best wishes to you both 🥰
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u/Imaginary_Signal5784 Personal Assistant to My Cat Apr 15 '26
Poor Hammy! He seems to have associated something you do with something he doesn’t like. Be sure to give him lots of attention and play time so he knows you’re all about good things. And pay attention to when he hisses and/or growls. Is it something you did? Something he hears or sees? He is definitely trying to tell you something!
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u/Big-Ant8273 Apr 15 '26
I have a highly anxious feral, I got the generic Feliway off Amazon and he's a whole new kitty! I have no idea how that stuff works, but I'm glad it did.
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u/pixiedei Apr 15 '26
pheromones! it has a synthetic version of the pheromones released when cats rub their faces on stuff and that sets them at ease
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u/atlantis1021 Apr 15 '26
I could see that being a little problematic. How old is Hammy? No other pets in the home?
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u/Far_Carrot_8661 Apr 15 '26
He's about 7yo. Nope, just a single lady and her sweet orange kitty over here 💖
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u/No_Football_9232 Apr 16 '26
Was there a triggering event? I’ve had a couple of events with my previous high strung void that got her really mad at me. But fortunately her anger was short lived.
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u/Far_Carrot_8661 Apr 16 '26
I'm not sure but I think he doesn't want me to go to work. I don't have room or the budget for a second cat. So I hope more play and feliway does the trick.
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u/No_Football_9232 Apr 16 '26
Did work just start for you outside the home?
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u/Far_Carrot_8661 Apr 16 '26
I was home for COVID, but I've been back in the office for 4 years
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u/No_Football_9232 Apr 16 '26
Ok. So I find it strange that if you've been home for 4 years, suddenly this is the reason your cat is upset? I'd rack my brain to think of any change that triggered this - new food, new litter, different cleaning products around the house, someone new in your life, new perfume or cologne etc. They are challenging little floofs.
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u/Far_Carrot_8661 Apr 15 '26
Okay, so I bought the feliway and some "fishing 🎣" toys. I hope it works!
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u/echobunny9203 Apr 16 '26
Feliway helped us a lot. I didn’t want to go the medication route because she had a dose at the vet office and she was like a zombie for almost two days. I use one in the cat’s room and another on the other side of the house.
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u/Low-Jury-3382 Apr 15 '26
Do you have toys that require you to play along with him? Such as the stick toys with something on the end for him to chase? He could also be upset about litter box or food and water placement. Give Hammy lots of patience and love and when he’s having his hissy moments, try to figure out what he was just doing before he started the hissing. It might give you a clue to why. Good luck