Cat with a split personality - Help!

[gailandy]

Cat help please.
We've had Gracie since December 2013 and we've had behavioural issues with her from day 1. Sometimes I think she's getting a bit better but then she just reverts back to being grumpy cat.

History - well, we don't know. She was found at the side of the road, presumed dumped. Cats Protection took her in and when we were looking for a cat, we went to see her and OH was besotted so we agreed to take her. We took her to our own vet because of the moody behaviour (incase there was something underlying) who said she'd recently had kittens but otherwise a clean bill of health. She's now 2 years old.

Problems - mood swings. One minute purring, the next hissing and swiping, sometimes biting. If you walk past her in the hallway she'll hiss and swipe at you. She also does a really odd thing where she tilts her head and opens her mouth, almost making faces - very strange. We did wonder if she had a bang to the head as a kitten as she really is a complete jeckyl and hyde character. If she wants to sit where you're sitting, she'll dig her claws in and then bite. She'll wind round your legs, but if you go to pet her, she'll roll on the ground and try to grab your hand.

We have tried a lot of different things - Feliway, ignoring her, more play.
She has access to the garden, so spends most of her time outside. She doesn't choose to come and sit with either of us (unless she wants to sit where we're sitting).

I hate to say this, but I am starting to dislike her and I feel awful for saying that. Our previous cats have never had issues like this. Surely 9 months is enough time for her to settle? I don't know if she's just trying to be dominant but some days she's just not nice to be around.

I keep thinking there has to be more to it that her just being a complete grump but if there's no physical signs, what else could a vet do?

[bobbys girl]

Oooh, deja vu. We have a Grumpy Gracie too!

Our girl came to us as a kitten (found on a friend's drive very near main road). She has had the best of care (we think), good food, playtime just the same as the others. I think it's just her nature to be a sour puss - we even call her 'Pickle'.

She thinks it perfectly OK to chase and torment the others. But when the tables are turned she makes such a fuss and runs to 'Daddy' for protection (never me - she knows better). At the moment she is sitting in my spot on the sofa, contentedly washing herself. I know if I try to move her she will growl and take a swipe at me

She is a lovely looking cat, a real character and I love her to bits - it's just sometimes I don't LIKE her.

I really don't think your vet can do anything as it sounds a behavioural not physical problem. As for her tilting her head and opening her mouth. Cats do that when they have caught scent of something. It is a way of getting the most information on a scent - a bit like slurping wine or tea to enhance subtle flavours.

I hope for your sake that someone else on CC has a solution to your problem, but I think you might just have to lump it!

BTW Willow, our first cat, often runs up the drive to meet me. She purrs, nuzzles, lets me stroke her once or twice. Then she gives me her Medusa look, bats me and struts away with her nose in the air (And folks wonder why I prefer the boys?!)