Here goes abit of a funny issue:-

My big fat ginger cat, just doesn't like me. He uses me ONLY when he wants to be fed.

Every time I move close to him or he sees me coming he runs the other way.. seriously!
Ok I DO bug him.. most times I pick him up and squash him abit because he is like a big fat teddy bear...

What can I do to make him like me again?
Stop annoying him? Or totally ignore him for a while?:rolleyes:

LOL your story reminds me of a landlady I used to have, she also had a very large ginger cat who ran away from her. :p However, in the case of Garfield (that was his name), he had never been a very friendly cat, never enjoyed being picked up or petted much. She did pick him up and squish him too much though, and I think that made things worse, because he would often let me pet him but not her. Also he was more friendly outside than in the house.

Was he more friendly before you started bugging him? If so, then yes, if you stopped bugging him for a while he might warm up to you more. It's an issue of trust. If he hates being picked up and squished, then you doing so is violating his trust. He may associate you with the squishing, which he dislikes, so every time he sees you, he runs.

I would try feeding him special treats and just petting him (if he lets you) while he eats them. Don't pick him up at all for a while, and only pet him when he lets you. Let him run away if he wants to, don't force him into anything. It may take a while, but he will eventually learn that he doesn't have to worry about you grabbing him, and will associate your petting him with treats. He may then become more friendly.

That being said, ginger and orange-coloured cats often have "issues". I've known many cats in my life, and the ginger coloured ones were always a bit strange behaviour-wise. Kind of similar to what occurs with white cats, who are also a little odd. So your kitty may simply have that ginger / white personality.

Anyway good luck, I sympathize with you wanting to pick him up and squash him haha, I do that to my current cat all the time, but he is a siamese, and craves any form of attention, so I'm lucky!

Probably something you've done - or at least he thinks you've done it - is making him want to get away from you. Maybe you or some friends were loud and frightened him, or someone stepped on him, or were being too rough with him... Something makes him want to get to safety when he see's you charging after him...

To change that: Treat him like a baby... Talk softly, move slowly, and be gentle.

Don't chase him, and don't pick him up for awhile - Just sit and talk to him softly until he comes to you. You might toss him treats a couple of times a day, and it might take a couple of days until he approaches you like this.

Once he is coming up to you, praise him and rub the top of his head and back. Pet his sides, and if he lets you, rub his tummy. Again - be slow and gently. Talk softly. Smile.

After a week or so of this, you can try to pick him up. Don't squeeze him hard, or futz with his feet or tail. Just hold him for a few moments, kiss him on the head, and then let him go.

Visit him while he is napping, but don't disturb him... Just rub his head for a moment and smooch him, then let him be.

Keep doing this kind of slow progression of affection.

He will soon trust you again and be willing to come and get attention from you. :)

Ignore him, he'll get curious as to why your not doing what he figures is normal... Eventually he will seek you out... That's how I get close to the feral cats around my house.

Thanks all so much.

Orange - u seem to know my fat cute ginger and white cat!

He is fine with everyone else in d house, such as hubby, mum and bro.. He actually sometimes goes to them if he wants a few light strokes but to me no no no no... he looks at me.. miaws (sometimes) and walks off...
Makes me laugh really. He can be strange at times and he is a loner.

He does not like being picked up by no one... and neither his tummy petted. And I do both - I pick him up because he so soft and I love petting his tummy because its allll white!

But will take into consideration all of your advices and ill keep you all posted in a few weeks to come :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phillysteakandcheese

Probably something you've done - or at least he thinks you've done it - is making him want to get away from you. Maybe you or some friends were loud and frightened him, or someone stepped on him, or were being too rough with him ... Something makes him want to get to safety when he see's you charging after him...

To change that: Treat him like a baby... Talk softly, move slowly, and be gentle.

Don't chase him, and don't pick him up for awhile - Just sit and talk to him softly until he comes to you. You might toss him treats a couple of times a day, and it might take a couple of days until he approaches you like this.

Once he is coming up to you, praise him and rub the top of his head and back. Pet his sides, and if he lets you, rub his tummy. Again - be slow and gently. Talk softly. Smile.

After a week or so of this, you can try to pick him up. Don't squeeze him hard, or futz with his feet or tail. Just hold him for a few moments, kiss him on the head, and then let him go.

Visit him while he is napping, but don't disturb him... Just rub his head for a moment and smooch him, then let him be.

Keep doing this kind of slow progression of affection.

He will soon trust you again and be willing to come and get attention from you. :)

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Hehehe... that's also true... he likes to be stroked gently and talked to softly and with little kisses on his head. He is male too and like to be treated like a female... all gently :)
Bless him