Does anyone know anything about adult cat behavior?

Question

HELP! My 2 y/o adult male cat has recently become very skittish and jumpy/afraid. He used to be very much an alpha male! Now, if I pet him when he’s not expecting it, he jumps so high and would probably attack me if he didn’t know it was his mom. I’m afraid my BIL is abusing him when I’m not around but I’m not sure how to prove it. I just want my baby to be back to normal.

Answer

Something must be happening for his behaviour to change so much, poor baby. Have you thought about talking to your brother in law? If you ask him about it, for example asking him if he’s noticed the cats change in behaviour, and seeing if he knows anything about it, he might stop out of fear of somebody finding out (if he is the cause of this). 
I also highly recommend Feliway, it’s a plug in that releases smells that calm anxious cats down, you can also get a spray for it. It helped my nervous kitties so much.

Answer

Someone is probably messing with him like scaring him or maybe even hurting him. Check his body for any sensitive spots. A lavender collar may help. The Walmart where I live has them. Also do you have places he can get up high and is his litter box in a public space?

Answer

This probably won’t make you feel any better, but one of my cats was abused by my husbands cousin when she lived with us. Our Lily was shy and skittish to begin with, but was really staring to come out of her shell when we moved in with his cousin, and Lily loved her and always wanted attention from here. Came to find out a couple months later that this over grown child was literally throwing our cat out of her room so hard the poor thing was hitting the wall. Now Lily won’t come near anyone and it breaks my heart.
I don’t really have any advice, but you’re not alone in your troubles...

Answer

Sounds like he may have some anxiety. If he has had no issues in the past Something would have triggered it. My 10mth old has severe anxiety but we got him from a cat rescue and he has been that way since we first got him. Could you maybe get a baby monitor if its a serious suspicion he is being hurt.

Does anyone know anything about adult cat behavior?

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