sarah
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Posts: 7
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Post by sarah on Jun 3, 2008 14:13:23 GMT
:-/ I have two male cats and have been advised to give one away to another home after lots of fighting. We have been to the vets on a numerous of occasions and have tried all different kinds of remedies without any joy, the vet said the last opption is to re-home one of them. They are both neutered and the problem started when Casey the little cat got a water infection and was back and forward to the vets, Nemo got very jealous of the attention Casey got and has attacked him ever since. We are at our wits end and was wondering if anyone knew of anything else we can try or if a new home would be best as this is causing both cats alot of stress and there mammy and daddy too. Many Thanks for anyone’s help
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Post by fyona on Jun 3, 2008 20:20:24 GMT
Hello Sarah, sounds as though you are all having a tough time. The only thing I could suggest is to keep them apart for a while and then slowly reintroduce them to each other, just like you would a new cat if that would be possible, keep one cat in one room and then let the other cat roam the house and then switch them over swapping scents as they are house cats but I suppose your vet will know better knowing their history, how bad are the fights do they actually hurt each other? Its awful when they just stop being friends and there is lots of tension, but then unfortunately some cats will never get along. I hope all turns out well for you either way.
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Post by susan on Jun 4, 2008 11:15:44 GMT
I agree with Fyona, go back to basics and do the intros all over again. It's possible as well that Nemo could sense something was wrong with Casey Invest in a Feliway plugin as well along with a few drops of Bachs Rescue Remedy to their food and water.
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sarah
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by sarah on Jun 4, 2008 13:17:34 GMT
Hi Fyona and Susan thank you very much for your quick response. I have the Feliway plugin at the moment and I am trying the Bachs Rescue Remedy by getting Nemo to lick it from his paws as he wont touch his food or water with it in. We have only had the plugin for nearly 3weeks, have you noticed yourselves if it takes a while to start working as I haven’t noticed a great change in Nemo’s Behavior? I have also tried changing they’re bedding so they got used to each others smell but this resulted in Kacey urinating in nemo’s Cat Bed. As they are kept in different rooms while we are at work we have been putting the food bowls next to the door which separates them, however Nemo has ripped up the carpet next to the door trying to get into Kacey’s room. I know its not wise to let them fight but do you think if they do fight a little each time we try and put them back together this will gradually stop? The last thing we want to do is give either up but im scared one of them will get really hurt.
Thank you very Much Sarah X
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Post by fyona on Jun 4, 2008 16:12:39 GMT
I think I would move the food bowls from being so close on either side of the door for the moment, and build back up to that, It depends on why they are fighting ie, the illness, territory, social ranking, I would try and figure that out, if they are not fighting for blood and really hurting each other I would let them work it out, if you think its getting out of hand a big hand clap to break them up. I can tell when my cats fight, its only ever playfighting, no screaming but the odd tufts of hair come out and it can look rough. and my bossy cat always wins, the others lay down and submit.
Another thing i do is to create a safe place, so anyone wanting to stay away from another cat has somewhere to go hide, my youngest cat who is often the victim has an igloo on top of the wardrobe where she will go when she has had enough.
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Post by susan on Jun 4, 2008 21:18:30 GMT
Sarah, can you give us a detailed description of how their fighting?. Like Fyona i'm wondering if their having fun fights because mine have them all the time, and sometimes they can bite each other a bit too hard that the other cries out, but when that happens they either part or i give a short spray in the air of air freshner and that seperates them. How old are they as well?. When one of them starts bleeding that's when it really needs to be addressed, other than that i wouldn't worry. heres some pictures of mine wrestling with each other This is Jack when he was a kitten showing Rosie he has "No Fear"
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Post by cheryl on Jun 4, 2008 22:24:33 GMT
my 3 girls "fight" a bit as well..Sometimes it's been a little nasty, usually when Martha has gone out..(i think she plays with the boys) she comes in and Lexi sniffs her, looks disgusted and slaps her......Other times Martha comes in full of attitude and lays into Lexi..she growls and hisses and sounds quite mean ...they'll have a bit of a scrap and then they are fine..... Other times they will lie on the settee all cuddled up start grooming each other,next thing you know they are sinking teeth into each others ears and neck legs going "scooby doo style" kicking each other in the head.........It sounds nasty but they are playing.........no claws come out at all.. Martha and Lexi have just turned 1 yr old so still kittens in the way they play
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sarah
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by sarah on Jun 5, 2008 8:30:06 GMT
Hi all thank you for your advice, both cats will be 4years old in August. We have had them both since they were born as their Mother (who was a stray) climbed into our spear room and give birth to them. They used to play fight and chase each other and after one cried the other would back off, however this doesn’t happen anymore and the attacks are more vicious, it all started after Casey got a bad water infection (thankfully he is now much better), since this Nemo will attack him on every occasion, leading to fur flying and cries and screams I never hear heard them do before, in one fight both cats received cuts which bleed from on there faces and head, which is making me worried it will get out of hand. I separate them with a cup of water and they do run off in the other direction for a few seconds but come straight back for each other. What shall I do
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Post by susan on Jun 5, 2008 9:40:58 GMT
It's puzzling me why this has just started happening since Casey's water infection?.
I wish i could see them to see what their like together?
Casey's infection has definitely gone has it?, it's just because they can really pick up when somethings wrong. You should see mine hiss if one of them go for their yearly check up at the vets because they can smell that their different, similar to what Cheryls just said. Have you told the vet that it's just started happening since the infection as well?.
We had a behaviourist on the site i moderate on as well a few weeks ago, so it's a shame we didn't know about this then and i could have asked her. Weve got another one coming soon though if you can ride the storm?.
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Post by fyona on Jun 5, 2008 10:16:06 GMT
Sounds as though you are trying really hard, but as Susan says its hard to give advice when you dont know the cats. Its just having the patience and knowing the cause to try and regain some peace, as its not fair for everyone living in a stressed household. I would trim their nails or get the vet to trim them, keep them totally seperated, not behind the same door though as my cats would aslo rip the carpet up if they were behind one door, different rooms, when you think they are ready, start taking it slowly open the door and let them look at each other, maybe use a cat carrier switching cats around, one in one out, if they behave give them a reward, a treat, it could take a while, but it could work out, even after a long struggle you my never create harmony , then I suppose the only option is as your vet has said is to rehome one of them.
I wish you lots of luck, and let us know what you decide.
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Post by cheryl on Jun 5, 2008 11:53:35 GMT
my 2 torties had a scrap last night all 3 cats wanted to have a play in the garden, when i went to call them in they had 2 "friends" there......a pure black like Molly and a little Torti and white of maybe 6 months....... The little torti was just sitting looking cute......Lexi was growling at her, Martha just sitting looking at her......Little Torti was looking at Lexi as if to say "haha i'm not frightened of you" so Molly came in then Lexi......Martha stayed to look at the little Torti........Took me 10 mins to convince her to come in and when she did Lexi growled at her then bashed her. it was like she was telling Martha off for not growling at little torti....... anyway then i watched the little cat from my bedroom window.......The little Minx went and sat right at the spot Lexi had been when growling 5 cats alltogether it was like having a little gang of teens on my doorstep
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Post by dmstark on Jun 5, 2008 12:55:20 GMT
Cheryl, if they start all wearing hoodies, that's when you should get worried.....
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sarah
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by sarah on Jun 5, 2008 15:45:12 GMT
Hi Susan, yes Casey is very much back to his cheeky normal self we have had him checked by the vet who have said there are no crystals in his water and to keep a eye on him. He thought it would be very funny last night to hide in the washing basket while the guy I have got in measuring for a new bathroom suite was there. Casey jumped out at him then just rolled over under his feet as if to say ‘’look how cute I am’’ lol. The vet is also scratching his head to what’s wrong and recommend the Plugin's which we are using, nemo can sometimes be very jealous and sort tempered if he doesn't get his own way, while Casey isn't and is very laid back, I think he was reincarnated from a hippy in a past life. I think both Casey & Nemo’s personalities clash. The last straw will be to rehome one, as I would not forgive myself if either got seriously harmed. If we were to go down this route what would be the best way? We don’t want to give either to a shelter! X
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Post by cheryl on Jun 5, 2008 15:55:21 GMT
Cheryl, if they start all wearing hoodies, that's when you should get worried..... i would not put it past some of the Mogs round here as it is Lexi's nickname is ASBO
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Post by fyona on Jun 6, 2008 12:40:21 GMT
I think probably the best way to rehome one would probably be to advertise at your vets or maybe pets at home they have a notice board, but lately ive noticed it has been full of people trying to rehome cats, I would imagine its a bit harder at this time of year with so many kittens being born, do you have any friends or family who may enjoy a cat , maybe ask about? Sorry I am not much help, maybe somebody else has an idea.
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