So, my wife is a veterinarian...
Do not go to the internet for advice. Do not go to television. Do not go to your pet groomer, or some dude at a pet store. Go to your veterinarian.
There's several different possible reasons for problems like you describe - some of them are biological, and can be diagnosed and treated. Others are environmental, and many of those can be managed too. Some of them may be in your own habits, or those of your other animals. All of them will take some work.
But no, 5 years old is not "set in their ways" or otherwise unable to change. Nor, by the way, it is too old for trees or toys for a healthy cat.
What you are describing does not sound like a happy animal - while diagnosis over the internet is not possible, the cat sounds terrified. That may be from the dogs, or your family - if you play with a cat like you do a dog, the cat will not like it. I suggest you speak to a professional veterinarian who can examine your pet, or a board-certified behaviorist (who is a veterinarian with even more training).
Do not go to the internet for advice. Do not go to television. Do not go to your pet groomer, or some dude at a pet store. Go to your veterinarian.
There's several different possible reasons for problems like you describe - some of them are biological, and can be diagnosed and treated. Others are environmental, and many of those can be managed too. Some of them may be in your own habits, or those of your other animals. All of them will take some work.
But no, 5 years old is not "set in their ways" or otherwise unable to change. Nor, by the way, it is too old for trees or toys for a healthy cat.
What you are describing does not sound like a happy animal - while diagnosis over the internet is not possible, the cat sounds terrified. That may be from the dogs, or your family - if you play with a cat like you do a dog, the cat will not like it. I suggest you speak to a professional veterinarian who can examine your pet, or a board-certified behaviorist (who is a veterinarian with even more training).
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