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"Real Cats, Real Stories" from Purina Cat Chow
Cat Advice (Emotional): Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor Amy Shojai
published
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT
| Let me start out by saying that I am a behavior consultant working with individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities, so I understand the value and impact of addressing behaviors as behaviors. I am very good at what I do, but I work with people. I need help with figuring out how to work with my cat. I have a six-year-old neutered male appropriately named Rowdy. When I adopted him I had a 16-year-old female, DC. At that time my son and his wife and his daughter (born in the same month and year as Rowdy) and his two two-year-old neutered brother cats lived with me. Rowdy loved the boys and they played wonderfully. Over the past six years they have moved in and out of my home three times and increased their family by another daughter. The last time they moved in was two years ago. This time, within a few months of their moving in, Rowdy started to pee on things, naturally mostly things that my son brought with him, including the girls’ toys, stuffed animals and any laundry left out. Because of this he has been exiled to living in my room. Soon after they moved in DC died, and since he has never been without another feline around him and is very social, I got a little girl to keep him company, They are happy living together in my room, there is a window looking out over the back yard with its flowering bushes and bird feeders and telephone wires providing plenty of entertainment, and our play time in the morning and evening. But I would like to be able to reintroduce Rowdy and allow Pearl Girl to romp with my sons’ cats. There is more emotional turmoil that has rocked the home over the last two years, but this problem began before those events. I am able because of my job to make several stops at my house most days of the week if resolving this would require that. I am really hoping that there is some way to help Rowdy feel more connected or secure if that is what is driving this behavior. |
| I’m very glad that Rowdy and Pearl Girl get along well and appear to be happy living in your room. As cats mature, they become less willing to adjust to changes in their environment. So it could well be that although Rowdy enjoyed playing with your son’s two cats in the past, he’s now reached an age where the status quo satisfies him.
Cats may get along great until they reach “social maturity” between two to four years of age. Then often the cats begin to challenge one another for position within the family group. Even if Rowdy is a peaceable kitty, your son’s two cats could cause the stress from such challenges (even a silent “eye stare” from across the room can cause problems!). Two years ago when Rowdy began urinating on objects, he would have been four years old and socially mature, ready to “make his mark” (literally and figuratively) regarding his social standing. How old are your son’s cats?
On top of that, your granddaughters (toddlers? Or a bit older?) means more stress. Cats that grow up with adult humans can have difficulty understanding or accepting infants and toddlers. Human youngsters sound different, move different, and even smell different. And that can be quite a challenge for a cat.
From what you’ve written, it appears that two years ago Rowdy went from being in your home with you and DC, to suddenly having your son, his wife, two girls under the age of six move in, AND losing his friend DC. In cat terms, that’s a tornado! I’d have been amazed if Rowdy hadn’t had some sort of behavioral acting out. Urinating on objects spreads the cat’s signature scent and actually self-calms the kitty. Even though some of the other “emotional turmoil” took place after this initial event, the human stress most certainly could have kept Rowdy upset.
Offering Rowdy a “safe room” where he isn’t forced to deal with your son’s cats or young daughters likely is the kindest decision you can make. I’m sure the other cats and your granddaughters are wonderful, but Rowdy can’t know that and he may baptize items with urine just to calm himself down. I would personally not allow Rowdy free run of the house. You could allow him out when you’re there to directly supervise. Give him opportunities to be good.
The product Feliway, an analogue of cat cheek pheromones, can help by calming all the cats so they feel more comfortable in their environment. It comes as a plug-in or spray, available at pet product stores or over the Internet. Also, colleagues of mine have recommended a similar product called NaturVet (TM) AtEase, a natural herbal calming spray that may help take the edge off stress. |
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| I have two older cats, Lilly is twelve and Doc is ten. All of their lives they lived with dogs and never had a problem. About two years ago I moved into a house with just the cats (my mom took the dogs). The cats seem to love having the house to themselves. After a year of the cats being by themselves I adopted a dog from the SPCA. In the beginning the dog had the problem and would constantly chase the cats. We got that problem under control and now Lilly and Kheley are good friends. However, Doc still seems to hate Kheley. He swats at her from under the bed and only goes downstairs to eat at night when Kheley is in her crate. It has been a year now and he has made very little progress in being more comfortable with the dog. Is there anything I can do to make Doc feel more comfortable with Kheley around? |
| Oh my, sorry you’re having this difficulty. Let’s put things in perspective before anything else. Doc remembers the bad times. Lilly is more forgiving. Just like people, every cat is different and brings his/her own personality to the mix. Some pets will never like each other, even if they start out on the right paw (so to speak). In this instance, Kheley has a lot to overcome. It can take cats many months to change their mind, if they ever do.
You can try making the dog smell more like Doc. Cats identify safe friendly animals by smell--if they sleep/play/groom together, they’ll smell alike and seem safe. So try rubbing a hand towel over Doc, especially the cheeks, and then wipe down the dog with this to scent him.
You can also try having a particular favorite treat or toy available ONLY when the cat sees the dog. This can help Doc learn to associate the fun or tasty thing with the dog’s presence. Good luck! |
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| I am a cat person. I love cats. I have a Maine Coon mix back in Laredo, TX. I couldn't bring her with me because I am in the military. I am settled down now and will stay stable for a few years. I don't plan on bringing my current cat with me because of the emotional and physical stress that would be placed on Blue. Currently I am looking for a new pet but I was wondering what should I look for because I wouldn't want another painful relationship like I have with Blue. I have had her for almost eleven years; this is the first year we have been apart. She is currently on chemo and is fighting a loosing battle, thus she will be put to sleep next week. Unfortunately my job won’t allow me to go see her. I would love to have another pet but I am not sure on what I should be looking for, I would love two cats if possible so they can keep each other company. Could you help me create some sort of checklist like travels well or something of that sort? I really appreciate your help. |
| I’m so very sorry that Blue is sick. It must hurt terribly not to be with her, and you’ve made the difficult but right choice in not putting more stress on Blue. Please remember that whether you’re with her or not, she knows you love her and want what’s best. Our pets never blame us. They simply love us.
Choosing your next cat(s) should be based on what you want and can provide. What’s your work schedule? Are you gone for long stretches during the day? Do you own or rent? What time do you have for training or grooming? Are you interested in the kitties traveling with you?
Kittens are cute, no doubt. But they require more time while young. And until they learn and are taught to scratch the right targets, they potentially can cause damage--even playing “gravity experiments” knocking off breakables during play. They also demand more attention--do you want to sleep through the night, or can you manage with a kitten nibbling your toes while you sleep? A pair of kittens can help keep each other entertained but they are also twice as much to handle.
An adult cat is a known quantity. You may be able to find one that’s already spayed/neutered, already trained to travel well with you, and that’s a predictable personality. You won’t know if the kittens will be lap-sitters or playing maniacs as they mature, but an adult cat will have an established personality.
Longhaired cats need more grooming help. Maine Coon cats like Blue probably have less grooming demands than some others, but still need a good daily combing. Shorthair kitties require much less time for grooming. All best wishes in your quest for new kitties. |
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| I've noticed sometimes when my cat is sleeping, her ears and whiskers twitch. Why does she do this? Could she possibly be dreaming? Also, my computer is at the foot of my bed and sometimes she'll be sleeping at the head of it while I'm on my computer and she'll wake up suddenly and run over to me meowing. Why is this? |
| Yes, cats dream. We can’t know WHAT they dream about (I suspect it’s food, and mice, and toys). As for the computer question, perhaps the machine makes some sort of noise that you can’t detect, and she’s startled awake, so talks back to it? |
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