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Post by hotfuss on Mar 22, 2013 15:04:56 GMT
Hi All I have a beautiful part tabby/part tortoiseshell called Lola and she's almost 4 years old. She's quite a quirky little thing, and has always been pretty much a 'one woman cat' but she's also been known to not like me very much some of the time. I moved house at Christmas and obviously I knew this would affect Lola; she'd been used to roaming my back garden all day and was always out and of course when I moved I kept her indoors for 2 weeks on the advice of my vet. I also put a Feliway plug thing in my flat for a month before I moved, and installed it again as soon as I got to the new house. However, 3 months later and Lola is more unruly than normal. She won't go outside for longer than 5 mins and if I don't let her in, she will cry at the top of her lungs until I do. I seem to be covered in scratches like she's a kitten again as she can be happily purring away on my lap and then without any reason, she'll either scratch me or dig her teeth into me like something possessed! She has also developed a new 'game' which involves hiding under my bed and when I walk past in bare feet she comes out and scratches me - I have them all over my ankles! I knew that moving would be hard on her, and so I have installed toys, a water fountain etc so that she has entertainment whilst I'm out, but it seems nothing is making her happy. My vet suggested a daily dose of Zylkene which she has been on for 2 weeks, but no apparent change yet.... Can anyone suggest what I can do to make it possible for us to keep living together, but in harmony? Thanks. Attachments:
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Post by tonib on Mar 22, 2013 15:16:24 GMT
Welcome to the forum. Lola is lovely.
I hope someone can help you.
Just a thought are there other cats around which she can see/smell when she goes out? Or has something happened in the garden since you moved.
Can you have a catflap so she can get in when she wants rather than you having to let her in? You could always lock in when you're not there if you want to keep her in then. Preferably one that reacts to a tag on the collar or her microchip (if she has one).
I gather you've taken her to the vet to be checked over for any health problems if so that probably rules that out.
Some people recommend another plug-in Pet Remedy. I use both with varying results (got 4 cats)
I hope you can resolve this happily.
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Post by hotfuss on Mar 22, 2013 15:20:16 GMT
Thanks for your reply!
Well there are definitely other cats in the gardens and often there is one sitting on my shed during the day. As far as I know there has been no hassle between them as Lola hasn't stuck around long enough! It's such a shame as she was the master of the garden at my old place and now she's almost a shadow of her former self. Someone suggested I cut up a used sock of mine and put it round the garden so she can smell me - I wonder if that would help!?
What other plug in can you suggest? I'm willing to try anything!
Thanks for your help  |
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Post by nannycat on Mar 22, 2013 15:33:08 GMT
Hi - you will have to excuse me i am new to this. ... i would quite honestly start again with Lola. At the moment she is just out of her comfort zone and frightened of the unknown. i would give her a space where she can have her bed, tray etc. where it is quiet. let her do her own thing and just be there for her. dont let her out, if you are ok to have tray in house again. and let her get used to the new house, smells etc. and then gradually let her out and door open, for a little while, each day while you are there or sit in garden with her to show her nothing is going to change. and you will find she will gain her confidence again, be happier. not sure why you wont let her in when needed - so you feel she should be outside? i honestly wouldnt rush this taking the time and starting again will make all the difference. and it would be, as previously said, she has gone out and there is another cat or she can smell another cat that she is not happy about. she is obviously now in someone else's territory. i wouldnt dose her up at all. just let her do her think and she will come round when ready... you have by her thinking taken her away from what she was happy with... hope this is some help. |
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Post by hotfuss on Mar 22, 2013 15:41:24 GMT
Hi Nannycat
Thanks a lot for replying. I think that's a good idea, I have already made sure she has all her home comforts, blankets with her smell on them, toys and her fav place to sleep has always been on the end of my bed so she is still doing that. The only time I took a while to let her in from the garden was one day where she was out for about 10 mins so I went upstairs for a shower - with the window open during showering I could hear her crying outside and I was constantly calling down to her while I finished up and then let her in.
I really hope that when the weather is warmer, I will be out in the garden more, and maybe while I'm there she'll follow me out and feel more confident. I don't mind her being in the house at all, but when I'm constantly under attack it can get upsetting!!
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Post by nannycat on Mar 22, 2013 15:46:26 GMT
she is attacking because you are there and she knows you wont attack her! it is pure frustration on her part.ignor her if she goes to attack take her mind off it by playing or throwing ball or something, i know it is tedious but it wont take long. she is just in that mind that you moved her and she is going to show you she isnt having any of it!! the only other thing it could be is if she is in pain somewhere. i had a cat who was lovely and then just suddenly would turn - found out it was something to do with her teeth and the pain just caught her now and again. so may be idea to get a general check by vet to make sure.
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Post by hotfuss on Mar 22, 2013 15:52:11 GMT
It's a bit like that saying 'don't bite the hand that feeds you'!! Yes I think I need to try and take it on the chin and not so personally - I will try and make it into a game when she tries to attack me and see how it goes!
She has been checked over by the vet about a month ago and he gave her a clean bill of health but I will keep an eye on it.
Thanks and I'll let you know how I get on!
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Post by nannycat on Mar 22, 2013 16:13:43 GMT
fingers crossed. i have worked/work with a lot of cats and they are not nasty by nature there is always a reason for it.you do get the exceptions but in my experience they are rare and usually a good reason why a good normal cat turns into a monster! but the problem is finding the reason could be a very simple change of one thing to make all the difference. be interested to hear how you get on. she looks a lovely little girl.
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Post by tonib on Mar 22, 2013 16:22:16 GMT
You've had some good advice there. It does sound as though the garden is a frightening place for her with the other cats which she is not used to.
As to the attacking another option is if she only attacks bare feet, try not to go bare footed around her. I know that an be difficult but with a paper ball/ ping pong ready with you on those occasions when you are bare footed should help deflect her attack.
Try looking out for the tell tale signs that might happen before she scratches when she's being petted. Such as eyes narrowing, tail twitching, a hiss or such & stop petting her before she scratches. That might help.
Oh the other plug in is called Pet Remedy - sorry I didn't make it clear in my post - it does use a different diffuser but you could try in in another room to see if it helps. Check it out online.
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Post by nannycat on Mar 22, 2013 16:25:21 GMT
thinking about it if poss when she attacks just turn away from her and walk away. if in a room shut the door behind you and leave her for couple of mins and then go back in. stroke her when nice and repeat if she is nasty. distract her with toys as well and hopefully she will suss dont get what i want if i attack! ... i will shut up now!! bye
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Post by hotfuss on Mar 22, 2013 16:53:24 GMT
Thanks for your help everyone, I will definitely let you know how I get on in the next couple of weeks!!
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Post by gladys on Mar 22, 2013 17:36:09 GMT
I would limit the rooms she can go in until the attacks on you stops. My youngest can be very moody and I have found that giving her boundaries has stopped it, she is still a moody mare but a little better than she was. I have no idea why is has suddenly got worse apart from there has been a couple of new cats to the neighborhood. She also tries to be the boss of the house and after using lots of different ways to stop her such as water spray and moving her from where ever she was sitting when she attacked. I have found the best approach is to ignore her. It's hard to do but does work. The only time I don't do this is if she goes to attack the dog or our older cat. I just pick her up with a 'No' and put her in the same spot every time I do this. I just move her off the sofa (where is will usually happen) to make her realise that if she is mean she doesn't get to stay on a nice comfy spot. I have now found that instead of attack she takes her self away and from the situation. Hope that gives you some ideas.  |
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Post by munchkins on Mar 29, 2013 8:24:38 GMT
Hope she settles in soon, i no its upseeting when they attack but she will get better
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Post by heartpawprints on Mar 29, 2013 22:08:26 GMT
I didn't find that Zylkene did much for mine when I tried it. Longer term, I've found CALM by Royal Canin to be the answer. Does seem as the poor little mite is out of sorts through the move. I guess it's keep trying and good luck.
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