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Post by lindar on Oct 12, 2008 14:51:57 GMT
has anyone had experience with a cat bahaviourist? I have another problem foster cat whom I have had since March , a young queen whose kittens have now been rehomed.She has come from a difficult neglected background and she attacks without any obvious provocation. Although the biting and scratching has lessened her chances of rehoming are not good a t present and a cat behaviourist may be the next step. Any advice?
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Post by fyona on Oct 12, 2008 16:39:36 GMT
I have never seen a cat behaviourist before, but I suppose after ruling out any illness with the vet they would do a behaviour modification plan. There are many types of agression fear, territorial, play, redirected, petting induced, learned, idiopathic aggression which is totally unprevoked, so I suppose its identifying which type of aggresison it is, then trying a treatment plan I should imagine it would be a lengthy process, its such a shame she has had a difficult past, is there certain situations that trigger her behaviour?
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Post by lindar on Oct 12, 2008 18:02:15 GMT
Hi Fiona, the episodes seem unprovoked definately not from overfussing/petting. She came from a very dyfunctional household (alcohol, drugs)where there were lots of cats and I do wonder if she has been kicked/roughly treated in the past so the aggression is a fear response. She briefly went to another fosterer last week so that she could have more space in a house with no other cat ( she is confined to one good sized room in my house) This didn't work out she gave the fosterer lots of scratches and some bites so she is back with me. I don't have much time to spend with her so she gets less contact but I don't think that is the best for her.When she has spotted my cats she goes wild!!!
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Post by fyona on Oct 12, 2008 20:30:47 GMT
Maybe she does need more time spent with her, sitting quietly at one end of the room with her, maybe just reading yourself a book, be respectful of the cats personal space, make sure she has a comfort, hiding zone, where she feels secure, watch her body language, its always a good indication, I know I have a bit of aggression going on here as one of my neighbours has a young tom and he keeps comming in the garden and siting on my cat enclosure, he is driving one of my females mad and she is redirecting aggression at the other two cats, beause she cant get him, I think its just trying to pin point what exactly makes them aggressive, usually there is always something behind it, but you really need to know all the cats history and actually see the way the cat is behaving and what you think is causing it. I do hope she calms down and finds a lovely patient trusting family.
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Post by Luckybear on Feb 19, 2009 15:23:06 GMT
hi. I used a cat behaviourist about 2 years ago with superb results within about 2 weeks. Our Ragdoll kitten (the breed who was reputably friendly and docile) was scratching me to bits if I tried to pick him up to brush him and definitely wanted to be in charge. The behaviourist played with him for a while (typically he was on his best behaviour with her) and then gave us superb advice.
If you still have problems let me know and I'll look out her contact details.
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Post by lindar on Feb 19, 2009 22:23:05 GMT
Hi luckybear. I would appreciate the cat behaviourist contact details. I still have the same cat she has been fostered for nearly a year with me. Her behavior is a lot better but I feelwhen she does attack it is because of fear. she hates any sudden movement or noise. She will never be a sit on the knee cat I hope there is one person who will take her on and give her the time she deserves.I cannot keep her because I have 2 cats of my own
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Post by Luckybear on Mar 5, 2009 19:50:12 GMT
Hi
Sorry for the delay in replying. I'm stripping the house apart whilst we redecorate as you can imagine I haven't had the chance to surf the site lately. I'll contact my vet tomorrow to get Carrie's number. (behaviourist). Will post info as soon as I get it tomorrow.
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Mar 17, 2009 14:48:31 GMT
We had a cat like this in our care, and we arranged through CP HQ for it to be transferred to an adoption centre where there was a resident Behaviourist, so maybe that could be a route for you to go?
A year is an awful long time to have a foster cat, so perhaps this could be an option for you.
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Post by lindar on Mar 17, 2009 18:51:49 GMT
Hi Chris I agree a year is too long for a foster cat i remember the black and white cat that you sent to an adoption centre did she eventually find a home. I am waiting for a space at cp adoption centre in York for my longterm resident where they have a cat behaviourist .She is a lot better but feel the move may have a negative affect on her improving behaviour she so deserves a loving home
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Mar 18, 2009 16:41:28 GMT
Dont worry the move is seldom negative, new faces, new atmospheres can be positive, honestly. The cat I was speaking of wasnt the black and white one, that one was moved because no one wanted to adopt her for whatever reason, and we felt she had been with us 6 months so a change of area could attract that right person, which it did.
The one I was thinking of was a really unpredictable cat called Crimbo, who had lived outside for around a year, the result was he would attack without warning resulting in Val getting more than her fair share of bites.
He went to an adoption centre, where they worked on him......... I was told later that he had been homed.
York are fabulous, and I am sure they will help.
Once upon a time I didnt agree with shifting cats, but I have seen too many positive successes now to doubt it works.
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Post by lindar on Mar 20, 2009 21:18:59 GMT
thanks Chris you have reassured me that the adoption centre is the right option hopefully things will lead to a happy new beginning
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Mar 21, 2009 12:57:13 GMT
It will, I promise you that !!
The danger of keeping a cat too long, is that we end up keeping them, and that ends up with a house full of cats we cannot afford, nor can we find the time to give the individual attention to and thats not fair.
We as a branch made that mistake for years, hence I ended up with more than 20 cats, fortunately I am now down to 9 but even so, that was a situation that should never have happened.
Now I know it often has positive effects on a negative cat, as I have so many to refer to, and I will never allow anyone here to get into that situation again.
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Post by lindar on Sept 13, 2009 21:38:48 GMT
just an update re my aggressive foster cat She eventully went to St Helens adoption centre. in June She regressed and was difficult to handle biting the staff and then she needed sedation for her to be vet checked. After about 3 weeks the vet decided she could not be rehomed into a domestic setting and she was rehomed at a local riding stables. despite the fact she was not a feral.The latest I heard was that she was keeping her distance from people but has not run away and is being fed as well as hunting. This was not what I hoped but I hope she is happy in her own way. It just seemed a shame that after such a long time in foster care the outcome was not happier.
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Post by Lilian on Sept 22, 2009 15:57:21 GMT
i'm sure the cat will be happy enough, don't worry abour her! You and the staff at the St Helens adoption centre tried there very best for her, as long as she is getting fed and has somewhere warm to sleep she'll be fine, it must have been something that happened to her in the past. She can now not worry about what's going on and just do what cats do, hunt,sleep and just be happy
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