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Post by naomi on Jan 7, 2014 0:03:47 GMT
Hi, just looking for advice on how to minimise this behaviour.
I have two neutered cats brother and sister. About 10 months a go I started caring for a stray neutered female cat who moved into my garden.
It was never my intention to keep her but I've struggled to find her a new home. Now the weather has turned cold she had progressed to sleeping inside at night time and regularly comes in during the day.
I now have a new home lined up once she has had her vaccinations. However I have actually become very fond if her and although still very timid she seems to have settled at my house.
The big problem I have is how she responds to my male cat. Most times she sees him she greets him with a chirp then head butts him. She can do this several times within the space of a few minutes. He is understandably getting very upset by this and I can see he isn't settled when she's near. If I could stop this, I may keep her. Any ideas?
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Post by tonib on Jan 7, 2014 0:18:28 GMT
Hi naomi. I have a feeling it is a cat form of greeting as she will probably be transferring her scent on to him but could be wrong. I don't know of any way to stop it. I hope others can be of better help & I would really be interested in their answers as I our latest addition does this with one of our male cats, mind you she can often be more tactile & pat him. This is usually when he's sleeping which is not appreciated. She can pester him until he moves in which case she considers it an invitation to chase him (she plays in quite a predator way)! The result is he is very wary of her, despite being quite a bit bigger. All we can do is allow our cats some time without her - she eats in her own room & sleeps there overnight and distract her if we see it happening. |
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Post by naomi on Jan 7, 2014 9:12:12 GMT
Hi, thanks for your reply.
I think you right, she genuinely seems pleased to see him!
I find her a very curious mix as when I first started to feed her outside there was lots of hissing and if I came to close she would run away from me. I suspect she was mistreated as when I started to be able to stroke her she cowered away from my hand initially but loved the stroke. I still can't directly approach without her hiding but on her terms she will happily jump on my lap for a cuddle and be very danding of a fuss. More head butting!
Despite this timidity if Eric my male cat is on my knee she will often come and jump on top forcing him to make a swift exit so maybe jealous as well?
Difficult to separate them as I can't pick her up without a major panic from her and when I tried to shut her in the kitchen overnight she got very stressed and forced her way out.
I'm sorry to say I've shouted which helps no one as that just stresses them both. Any ideas greatly appreciated.
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Post by lotsofcats on Jan 7, 2014 9:39:55 GMT
Hi naomi, welcome to the forum. I certainly know what it is to be adopted by a stray (or 2)! I think she is just a friendly cat and it is her form of greeting. I think Eric is a bit unsure of her meaning - she is being friendly but he is not so sure - I feel he will get used to her in time. Are you going to keep her? I have a cat called Toffee who adopted me almost 2 years ago - like your stray he just turned up in the garden and I started to feed him, took him to the vets because he had an eye injury from fighting and then that was it, he wasn't going anywhere. Toffee is still what I call an outdoor cat - he hated my dog until very recently and this meant he had to sleep outside in the nights in my other 6 cats' garden pen and shed. Toffee comes in the house in the day whenever he wants and then when I get my 6 cats in, he goes into the pen. I would love to get him used to the cats but on the few times I have tried him with one of them he is very friendly - too friendly! he loves them but he frightens them. This is what is happening with your stray.
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Post by tonib on Jan 7, 2014 12:06:41 GMT
As to how to distract her naomi, is she a player with balls or teasers? If so perhaps use these to catch her attention instead of Eric. |
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Post by naomi on Jan 7, 2014 13:00:23 GMT
Lol, how do these strays know we will take them in! She started by sleeping in the flower bed so I ended up waterproofing a cardboard box. When that got soggy a friend gave me a dog kennel. This has been modified and now has a cat flap for an entrance!
I think your right, she is being friendly but he hates it as she has a hard little head and catches him unawares sometimes. A pity he is so gentle. He does sometimes rear up on his hind legs and bat her with his claws sheathed but she just bops him back! My other cat did hissing and claws and now they have clear boundaries:-)
To be honest I am completely undecided as to whether to keep her. I would love too but only if they can exist without Eric getting stressed. The home I have for her is with my folks who have a big house with lots of fields and outhouses. They do however have two collies and another cat. Not sure they will gave my patience with her timidity which will mean less cuddles I think. I think I may give that a go with the proviso she comes back if it doesn't work.
Distraction would be good except she likes to play on her own. Don't think she knows about other games as just looks frightened when I produce rod toys etc.
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Post by vonnie on Jan 7, 2014 16:28:31 GMT
It is a friendly greeting but if your male hated it enough he would bop her one. Don't shout as this is horrible for them both and will cause more stress which could spark fights between them.
Throwing a toy would help as previously suggested.
Is she neutered? She may be extra friendly for a very good reason!!! As your male is neutered he will find the extra 'love' disconcerting and confusing.
x x
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Post by naomi on Jan 7, 2014 22:07:43 GMT
Ha ha, yes I wondered that initially but when I took her to the vets to be scanned for a chip they confirmed she was neutered.:-)
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