Hi Christina,
I’m sorry to hear about your mother and wish her a speedy recovery. Cats can be sensitive to changes in smells. You coming home smelling different could be stressful for your cat and cause the behavioral change. It could also be that you aren’t able to spend as much time with your cat if you’re gone a lot more, which is a change in your cat’s routine. It’s always a good first step to get your cat checked out by your vet to rule out a medical issue with Pepper. Then you can pinpoint whether Pepper dislikes the change in smell, lessened attention, or something else.

Hi Ellen,
A new baby is often times a stressor for cats. Really any change in their environment can stress your pets at home. Even before the baby arrived home, baby furniture, toys, and other changes were happening in the home. There are ways to get your cat used to the changes but they’ll likely need a cat behaviorist who can come to their home and assess the situation, especially since there is a baby involved. They can ask their vet for a referral to a cat behaviorist or look online for a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant.

Hi Sharon,
If your indoor cat shows interest in going outside, leash training is a great way to expand your cat’s surroundings. This way, you have control of the situation and are able to bring your cat back inside after a walk in the yard. Some indoor cats are afraid of going outdoors so going at your cat’s pace is key.