We have two cats, Ms. Kitty and Baxter, both 4. We've had Ms Kitty since about 6 weeks old, and adopted Baxter from a No Kill Shelter at 9 months (he'd been adopted and returned TWICE by others for his smell. We cleared that up w/in a month). For about a 2 years they were the best of friends, always sleeping and playing together, inseparable. Ms Kitty is declawed and has never been outside, but Baxter was always trying to get out though he's also de-clawed (front & back).
Due to a housing issue, we took them to the in-laws where they were under fed (if at all), not watered, contracted fleas, and worms, not to mention inhaled so much cigarette smoke that Ms.K couldn't hardly smell anything for a week. For 23 days they were there; Baxter got out and was missing for a week, then allowed to come and go. We immediately brought them home once we found this out but rehabilitating has been rough.
Ms Kitty (the playful one) was very lethargic and apathetic to everything for about 6 months. She had never been around children and there were many; I think they severely stressed her out. She won't let the other cat come near her usually, and will randomly hiss at him. This has been going on now for a year and a half.
Baxter has had no change in personality, although he never used to play with toys and such, but now he does. (I suppose to make up for her ignoring him?)
What can we do to bring them back together? I don't think its a smell issue because it's been years, and they're both indoor cats and we always take them to the vet together... I just can't take this anymore, Ms. Kitty avoids Baxter like the plague, and since he's so social with us, that means that she has given up sleeping on the bed if he's around or laying in our laps if he's in the same room. It's so sad to see him try to be near her, groom her, or play to be shot down, hissed at and have her run away.
Due to a housing issue, we took them to the in-laws where they were under fed (if at all), not watered, contracted fleas, and worms, not to mention inhaled so much cigarette smoke that Ms.K couldn't hardly smell anything for a week. For 23 days they were there; Baxter got out and was missing for a week, then allowed to come and go. We immediately brought them home once we found this out but rehabilitating has been rough.
Ms Kitty (the playful one) was very lethargic and apathetic to everything for about 6 months. She had never been around children and there were many; I think they severely stressed her out. She won't let the other cat come near her usually, and will randomly hiss at him. This has been going on now for a year and a half.
Baxter has had no change in personality, although he never used to play with toys and such, but now he does. (I suppose to make up for her ignoring him?)
What can we do to bring them back together? I don't think its a smell issue because it's been years, and they're both indoor cats and we always take them to the vet together... I just can't take this anymore, Ms. Kitty avoids Baxter like the plague, and since he's so social with us, that means that she has given up sleeping on the bed if he's around or laying in our laps if he's in the same room. It's so sad to see him try to be near her, groom her, or play to be shot down, hissed at and have her run away.
