Why Did My Cat's Personality Suddenly Change?
Sudden behavioral changes in kittens can be a sign that something is wrong.
Why Is My Cat Acting Different Out of Nowhere?
“My 5-month-old kitten has had a sudden change in behaviour. He is normally very playful and affectionate and likes to be held, but since yesterday has been sitting quietly in the middle of the floor and refuses to be picked up. He still has an appetite and likes to be petted, but the shift in behaviour has me worried. Earlier in the day yesterday, he was happily playing with one of our older cats (she's 6). Could she have hurt him? He doesn't seem to be in any pain.” —Amy
Sudden Behavioral Changes in Cats Might Mean Something Is Wrong
Any time there is a sudden behavioral change in a young cat, there are several things to consider.
- Injury: You mentioned that he was sitting on the floor, but is he not moving because he is in pain? Are his gums pale? Does he try to bite or have any other signs of pain when you do go to pick him up? Is he limping or moving stiffly?
- Illness: Have you noticed any vomiting or loose stools? Does he have a fever? Kittens that age can also suffer from gingival problems (juvenile periodontitis), so when you do pick him up, open his mouth and look at the gingiva where the tooth joins the gums. This type of gingivitis can be caused by feline immunodeficiency virus, so if your cat has not been tested, he should be (1), even though this may be a genetic or inflammatory issue. Are the gums red and swollen?
- Anxiety and Stress: A new baby or visitor to the house are common causes of stress, but in this case, it might just be because the kitten is getting older and is now considered a threat. Some stressed kittens will hide from the dominant cat, but others will freeze and just sit in the middle of the room. (They may be keeping still so that the other cat does not notice them and attack.)
This sounds more like stress than a medical issue, but the only way to tell for sure if there is a health problem (an injury or illness) is to take your cat to your local veterinarian for a physical exam. He may also need bloodwork to rule out an infectious disease if they find anything else wrong.
Your Older Cats May Be Tired of Your Kitten's Antics
Have you seen the cats fighting or just playing? Are there other cats in the household that could be the problem? Some cats will put up with a kitten's antics when they're very little, but when the kitten becomes a bit older, they can become a lot less patient.
There are many ways to help cats get along (Feliway, environment enrichment, nonprescription treats, and even anxiety medications from your veterinarian), so you may need to consider some of them now that the kitten is older.
If you cannot take your kitten to the veterinarian at this time, at least do a basic physical exam at home and consider some environmental changes around the house so that they can live together in peace.
Reference
(1) Kolenda-Roberts HM, Kuhnt LA, Jennings RN, Mergia A, Gengozian N, Johnson CM. Immunopathogenesis of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in the fetal and neonatal cat. Front Biosci. 2007 May 1;12:3668-82. doi: 10.2741/2343. PMID: 17485330; PMCID: PMC2278015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2278015/
This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2023 Mark dos Anjos, DVM
