[PmbPhy (OP)]

Howdy folks. As some of you might know, I have three cats. One female, Bella, and two male brothers, Fluffy and Scooter. Fluffy got his name for obvious reasons - He's so fluffy.    Scooter got his name from running away from me almost all the time.

I'm having a difficult time understanding what they're trying to tell me. For example: almost every time I walk into the kitchen Fluffy follows me, sticking his snoot in the fridge when I open it. He rubs against my legs sometimes. When I look down at him he gives this cute little .. well its a cross between a cute gurgle and a meow. It's sooo cute. He looks like he wants to tell me something but I don't know what he wants. I used to think  it was always because he was hungry but he does that  even after he gets filled up with kitty treats. Is it that he wants me to pet him, which I gladly oblige anyway - he's so cute!

Then there's Scooter. He seems to be afraid of me but I've never hurt him. I rarely try to force him to be somewhere he doesn't want to be. Yet when he's sitting on top of the back of the couch or laying on the couch he gladly lets me pet him and then purrs. Sometimes he walks into the room meowing. When I got to pet him he shies away. When I finish showering he walks into the bathroom with a gurgling meow. When I go to pet him he shies away. Then he goes to one of his favorite spots, i.e. jumps onto the kitchen counter and then on top of the fridge  and does the same thing. This time he lets me pet him and then he purrs. He even leans into the petting. He's sooo cute!

As you can tell, I love my kitties to death. I want to make them as happy as I can. Can someone help me understand them better?

I'll post videos of what they're doing when I can.

[PmbPhy (OP)]

I'd like to introduce you to me kitty Scooter

http://www.newenglandphysics.org/other/scooter.mp4

I crack up every time I watch that video.

[Kryptid]

With two males in the house, it is likely that one is dominant over the other. It may be that Scooter is the submissive one, which might explain his being shy. Do you see any signs of antagonistic behavior between those two cats? Where did you get your cats? It's also possible that Scooter had a negative experience when he was younger that you did not witness.

My cats look in the refrigerator because they want deli meat. I give them a small amount every once in a while as a treat and they know where it comes from. Have you ever done so for your cats? They may be hoping for something more to eat. Alternatively, the refrigerator may represent a novel environment to them that they don't normally have access to and they are simply curious about it.

[PmbPhy (OP)]

With two males in the house, it is likely that one is dominant over the other. It may be that Scooter is the submissive one, which might explain his being shy. Do you see any signs of antagonistic behavior between those two cats? Where did you get your cats? It's also possible that Scooter had a negative experience when he was younger that you did not witness.

Thanks so much for responding!

Scooter and Fluffy are brothers. I got them when they kittens were only a few weeks old. They were sooooooooo cute!!!!
So (1) its unlikely that they had time to have a negative experience enough for it to effect his personality and (2) I'd expect kittens to have the same experience. Also Scooter is the antagonist. He loves to start the rough housing with his brother. When that happens its a cross between them playing and licking each other. Sooo cute!   I gotta say. They just light up my life!

My cats look in the refrigerator because they want deli meat.

Mine won't eat deli meat, only cat food and occasionally tuna and bacon. Fluffy is the curious one and sniffs everything I eat. I let him so I can figure out what treats I can find for him in the future. Not much luck though.

I give them a small amount every once in a while as a treat and they know where it comes from. Have you ever done so for your cats? They may be hoping for something more to eat. Alternatively, the refrigerator may represent a novel environment to them that they don't normally have access to and they are simply curious about it.

Interesting!

[Kryptid]

Hmm, what about the possibility of infection? A cat might be more anxious if they are bothered by a skin condition, allergies and/or fleas. A sore tooth might as well. Any sign of such things in Scooter?

[PmbPhy (OP)]

Hmm, what about the possibility of infection? A cat might be more anxious if they are bothered by a skin condition, allergies and/or fleas. A sore tooth might as well. Any sign of such things in Scooter?

Nope. After all its been almost two years and since he was a kitten and then only when he's in a certain mood. Many times he comes up to me seeking affection. Especially when I'm in bed. Sometimes I hops up and walks back and forth meowing. If I pet him he'll sometimes stick around. In some cases he'll plop down, purr and let me pet him while he lays next to me. Makes my heart melt.

Okay. The word is out. I'm a great big softy who loves his kitty cats.

[Karen W.]

Nothing wrong with that.  I miss my cat.  I love cats.

[Petrochemicals]

Probably the running away is hes scared of being trod on, which is why hes ok up high. My old cat used to be wary of me in that way if he couldnt see me looking at him, cats running behind you, crawling around your feet , lying on the carpet just round a corner etc get hit, just be sure to say sorry when you do (and you will) so they will not hold it aganst you and be scared of you, abused cats will not go by you even if you look at them. It sounds like he has the right idea.

The one that wants something wants interacton, to be played with, they are not insects but little inteligent creatures.