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Cat got fixed and her behavior did a 180 for the better! (Is it for real?)
(Sorry its a little long!)
DH and I are expecting our first in June, and the cat that we got together had some troubles because she was living with MH for about 18 mths by herself and was (unfortunately, and not what we had intended or anticipated but circumstances changed) in just one room for about 85% of the time, and then he moved into an apartment with her alone so she had full reign of the apartment which she LOVED.
I moved in with MH after we got married (about 2 mths after he moved in with her), and I think that the cat being with him for so long, alone, and then moving in to the apartment, and then me moving in - it messed with her. She didn't do well with new people - I'd been here for a year and she still would hiss and claw at me and refused to let me get near her.
We got her fixed on Weds (it took us MUCH longer than it should have) and her behavior is COMPLETELY changed. She lets me pet her, lets me pick her up, comes to me when I call her over.
Is this something that I can anticipate being a forever change? I'm loving on her as much as possible while she's still recovering, hoping that it will help, too. I want SO badly for this to be permanent because I'm afraid that the aggressive behavior she was showing before may come about when our baby is born.
Re: Cat got fixed and her behavior did a 180 for the better! (Is it for real?)
I would suggest looking at the FAQs to help kitty adjust to the new baby. Also, the book Cat vs Cat has some tips, too. Check your library. We recently bought a baby doll that makes sounds and downloaded a baby noise app. So far, they don't seem to care all that much, but I know that we still have to supervise them with the baby.
Remember that some kitties are not snuggly and affectionate, but some are. S will only snuggle when she wants to; otherwise we leave her be. The other ones are more friendly.
Additionally, remember that cats can get stressed out, or not feel well, and the only way they show that is through behavior. If the behavior you described returns, take her to the vet to make sure there are no medical reasons for the behavior. You can always try Feliway, which is explained in the FAQs, as well.
5 cats. 1 baby.
While this is purely anecdotal, my daughter's cat's behavior changed for the better after being spayed. Before the surgery, she really disliked everyone and this little 6 lb cat evoked terror in grown men. She also went into heat constantly. After the surgery, she was much more mellow, and while still not a very affectionate cat with anyone but my daughter and her husband, no longer attacks everyone when they dare to even look at her.