Kind of new to cats, and need some help. Growing up cats were always outside animals, so we never got close to them. More of a dog guy anyways. My GSD of fourteen years passed away last year, and have been pet less since. In June my niece dumped a big two and a half year old male, neutered orange tabby off at my place. Her boy friend could not keep him anymore. I was hesitant but thought heck I will give it a try.

For four months or so it has been pretty cool. He acted more like a dog, would just sit and hang out, was pretty affectionate with out being needy. I left him alone when he was sleeping. All good, till Monday. He has been completely different. Does not hang out in any of his usual spots, his old routines are gone, and just has a shitty attitude. I try to pet him, and he sometimes snaps at me, not hard but does snap. Any suggestions?

Sick or injured? That could do it. Might want to ask a vet.

And cats will purr even when sick or injured.

This definitely.  Illness / injury of some sort is usually what changes their behavior like this.  Get him to a vet.

 

Get him checked out, that doesn't happen without reason.

UTI maybe?

No environmental changes or injury. If it keeps up over the weekend, I will take him to the vet on Monday. I have grown fond of the big orange hairball, but man he is a total dick right now. Thanks all.

This, absolutely. We're on our fifth cat, 3 which we raised from kittenhood. Dramatic behavior changes = sick cat. Unfortunately in our case it was alway something equally dramatic: kidney disease, heart disease, cancer...

Even subtle changes mean things. Our current cat "chirps" now whenever he jumps off of something. We're pretty sure he's got something going on. We suspect arthritis or something orthodedic and put him on Glucosamine which has helped some, but it may be time for an x-ray...

In pain, and doesn't want to move or be touched?

Update?

Took him to the vet, and other then giving him a flea treatment, said there was nothing wrong with him. He has been better, but not the same as he was. Chalking it up to a mood swing/phase for now.