kitten

[SWEEP]

Hi, my 6 month old kitten is walking with his tail upright and his back curved, he does not appear to be in pain, does anybody know why he does this?
Thanks

[Jugglering]

Sounds like he is about to spray ! Is his tail quivering ?

More info here:-

http://www.felinexpress.com/cat-behavior/tail- talk.asp

Normally, an upright tail is the sign of a confident, happy cat but if his back is curved (arched ?) he is feeling a bit threatened.

[SWEEP]

Hi Jugglering, many thanks for your answer, He does look like he is going to spray, but it was the funny walk and arched back I was unsure about, maybe he hasnt got the hang of spraying and will be OK once he does, He is not tame yet, so is difficult to catch to see if there is any pain there, but he certainly does not seem in pain.Ive wormed him again today incase it was that.
The tail does quiver slightly, and he has his back to walls, so i hope this is the problem, many thanks

[tiggerwoo]

Being the owner of an avid sprayer I'd say thats what he's either doing or getting ready to do...

[tigwig]

I find it quite strange that he isn't tame yet. I'm not having a go or anything but I had a kitten from 6 weeks and it was tame immediately has your kitten had a bad past or something? Cats are normally really affectionate.

[SWEEP]

Hi Tiggerwoo, many thanks for your answer, hes still not done it, and is still walking odd, maybe he is just "different" no pain though that is noticable or we would go straight to vets.
Hi Tigwig, thanks too, it is hard to explain, but Ive had two cats and a dog, all have been extrememly affectonate and tame, My last cat was put to sleep aged 22 years and the other one Ive got now is 17.But we got this kitten from a farm and he was wild when we got him, when we let him out of the basket he went under the cupboards and I was frantic and took whole kitchen apart until I could see him,he stayed there on and off for over three weeks. I try to pick him up, done it all gradually in fear of frightening him more, but he is not having any of it, I keep him as a house cat as I think if i let him out he wont return.I am so desperate to tame him but getting a bit stuck of what to do next,

[tigwig]

Hi sweep I thought that must be the case. I guess he is doing it because he is still frightened and wary of you. I would encourage him to come near you by tempting him with treats if he will and gradually stroke him just a tiny bit and building up each time. It sounds like he is going to take a while to trust you but if you stick with it he should do in time. Good luck. I think you are right to keep him inside for now too.

[SWEEP]

Hi tigwig, many thanks, Ive made a decision this last week, I am going to try harder,Its just he seemed OK just being in our room etc and not being handled but this incident has made me realise if we had to go to vets on a regular basis we would be well and truly stuck!! I was advised to corner him and wrap him in a towel to be stroked but it seems mean, Ive had him eating out of my hand but am going to do it more, thanks for your reply and time.