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Testing my cats..

post #1 of 8
5/20/10 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
behaviour trying to figure out why the 3 attacked Callisto.

Ok, i have a hamster. I put his cage on the floor in cats level-no interest,not even a glance-sirus wanted to sniff but he's been raised with rats and other rodents. Took hamster out of cage put in pen on floor-no reaction from the 3 that attacked callisto.

friend brought over 2 of their rabbits a flemish giant-bigger than most the cats, no predatory movement a few sniff and gemma sauntered off. NOW we take out the small dwarf bunny, which resembles Callisto-i thought they'd definately attempt something NOPE not a thing.

They dont even attempt to go after the bird.

so i called the vet. He said maybe genetically there is something wrong with callisto that we cant see but the cats can see. does that make sense? I am so confused. I just had all but biggie on my couch asleep together.

My friends bringing over one of her kittens that is 10 weeks old to see how they react. I'm so determined to figure this out.
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post #2 of 8
5/20/10 at 12:01pm
Was Callisto a rabbit, then? Without prior knowledge of what happened anyone reading this post may be a bit lost.

Cats are cats. I don't recommend ever mixing predators and prey species, especially not for the sake of a test. Even if the cats behave themselves, prey species will become stressed out from this. When I had pet rodents I would wash my hands and change shirts before holding them - partially not to risk spreading any disease, but mostly because I understood that cat scent is very upsetting to rodents. Stress them out enough and they can become ill, and small animals are just not hardy enough to risk this.

Something happened to cause a situation that triggered your cats natural instincts. They're cats, it's just what they do.
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post #3 of 8
5/20/10 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 
NO Callisto is my tail-less kitten. 3 of my adults attacked her. I think if i hadnt been there they would of killed her. I'm not having any problem with them with the hamster or the bird. the bird sits on my desk while i use the computer if im not in the room he is in his cage. We have a wild mouse that they just leave alone, it eats out of their food dish and drinks out of their water dish with them right there.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=216450
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post #4 of 8
5/20/10 at 1:06pm
Ah, that sounds like a combination of you not doing proper introductions and just leaving too small of a kitten with big territorial cats, then. It's not uncommon for a current group to attack and try to drive out a new cat if not intro'd properly - some cats may never accept new ones. Unfortunately, another basic cat instinct.

Allow Callisto to get bigger and use the time to study up on cat introductions. Please do not bring another tiny kitten in to test with.
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post #5 of 8
5/20/10 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
Ah, that sounds like a combination of you not doing proper introductions and just leaving too small of a kitten with big territorial cats, then. It's not uncommon for a current group to attack and try to drive out a new cat if not intro'd properly - some cats may never accept new ones. Unfortunately, another basic cat instinct.

Allow Callisto to get bigger and use the time to study up on cat introductions. Please do not bring another tiny kitten in to test with.
I know about cat introductions. Callisto was here before the 3 attacked her. They'd even cleaned her, played with her. THIS happened right in front of me.
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post #6 of 8
5/20/10 at 2:05pm
Thread Starter 
a tad bit more info.

age of my cats:
apollo-neutered male-2
sirus-unneutered male-11 months old
Peanut-unspayed female-about 1-2 yrs old
gemma-spayed female-2 yrs old
biggie-neutered male-4-5 yrs old
simba-neutered/declawed male-7 yrs old
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post #7 of 8
5/20/10 at 2:18pm
I just read the other post and I feel so sorry for Callisto (and you for having to break them up). I would definately think about rehoming the poor kitty. Sounds like she would need a home with less/no cats. I think it probably is a territory issue. For three to gang up on one it has to be something like that. It doesn't sound like a "personal differences" probelm that can sometimes happen between two cats that just are too different in personality. Sounds like they don't care for her prescence at all and were making it known. I hope Callisto gets a nice forever home where she can be safe and sound.
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post #8 of 8
5/20/10 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fifi1puss View Post
I just read the other post and I feel so sorry for Callisto (and you for having to break them up). I would definately think about rehoming the poor kitty. Sounds like she would need a home with less/no cats. I think it probably is a territory issue. For three to gang up on one it has to be something like that. It doesn't sound like a "personal differences" probelm that can sometimes happen between two cats that just are too different in personality. Sounds like they don't care for her prescence at all and were making it known. I hope Callisto gets a nice forever home where she can be safe and sound.
my friend is going to keep her. she has other cats too but they are all younger the oldest is like 1-1 1/2. No problems. They all wanted to play with her. It was upsetting im just glad my son was sleeping or he'd of somehow ended up in the middle of it. Sirus has also not sprayed today for some reason he seems calmer. Apollo and simba where sleeping peacefully together this morning. then i found simba and biggie together up on top of the cupboards. Gemma and peanut are under my couch-im assuming its nice and cool under there.
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