I was so happy to find this wonderful site and have been reading a number of posts. I'm amazed at how helpful the replies are and what a nice community you have going on there! Here is what is going on at my house:
I am having a big problem with a "former feral" -female- Skyler and one of my two" kittens" - a male, Dylan (will be 2 later this year). When I first took Skyler in, she would hiss, strike out and intimidate the then younger kittens. Her behaviior probably was more "fearful" than "aggressive", but both of the kittens avoided her and were afraid of her. The "former feral," Skyler, has been in the house a year now (had been coming around ouside since 2010 and was being fed here and would sleep in a little bed outside). She had been making good progress, moving about and exploring, using the 2nd set of litter boxes in the front of the house, sleeping on top of my bed on her own pad along with the two kittens, and even having some positive interaction with the other kittens, especially Madison, another female (who I adopted at the same time as Dylan..not siblings and 3 mo apart, but act like they are), who thankfully is a good buffer and non problematic (except she's too fat!).
In the last couple of months, the male kitten, Dylan (fixed but getting older and finding he's more powerful than he thought!), has taken to chasing Skyler at every turn. She looks in his direction as she doesn't trust him; eye contact is made between the two and that sets them both off running, Dylan in hot pursuit of Skyer, who always runs back under the bed. He lies in wait just outside the door when she uses the litter box, in the back bedroom where she started out; she has apprehension in her demeanor as she starts to exit the room, running back under the bed with Dylan just behind. She barely comes out from under the bed these days. I'm afraid she's depressed and her quality of life is diminished. Her sweet demeanor has regressed to a low growl whenever she sees Dylan. Until recently, her only pleasure in life was the late night groomings and treats I consistently gave her (and interestingly, all 3 cats would be in my small bathroom at that time with no problem..but now, as soon as she sees Dylan, she's ill at ease and no longer enjoys the grooming, giving low growls as soon as I start the process). If I take the kittens out of the room and close the door, they scratch at the door and make a racket; and Skyler is still apprehensive because "she's now locked in".
I've tried all the usual behavior modification tricks I know of: spray can of water, loud noises (I was so frustrated/upset yesterday that I actually yelled at Dylan when he chased Skyer…again...he never hears me raise my voice like I did so he took off!), Feliway spray and Feliway plug ins in 2 rooms, treats when they are all together, and distraction), but Dylan continues to chase her whenever he sees her. I've begun to think Dylan actually likes me chasing him with the spray water bottle (I know …you're supposed to pretend that you are not the one doing the spraying….somehow!! If anyone figures that one out and how to be "Jonny on the spot" when the behavior is about to occur, pleas let me know!) It seems to be a real cat and mouse "game". And it may be fun for him, but it doesn't seem to be fun for her. I've decided to let it play out and do nothing as nothing I've tried is working.
Interestingly, to me at least, is that Dlylan is otherwise a very sweet, smart and adorable cat. I've never had a lap cat before and he is that and more. He sits on my lap, looks in my eyes and if he could, he'd crawl into me! I try to give all the cats attention so as to not create the impression of "favorites". I know there are probably territorial issues going on and maybe jealousy issues, if cats have those.
An added problem: Skyler may have some health issues as she has some low blood markers -- WBC, Neutrophils , Lymphocytes, and Platelet Count, but no FeLv or FIV--Another CBC will be given in a month. She had this condition months ago when I did a one year in the house routine blood test. At that time, we didn't have this behavioral issue so not sure if there is any connection. I don't know if depression in cats can cause low findings on these markers.
We had come a long way since Skyler started her indoor life…from being sequestered in a small bathroom from other cats, using soil as litter, urinating on "comfort rags" on the floor, hiding and making herself "so small" that once I couldn't even find her in that small room!, and finally, being "introduced" properly to my three other cats. I feel that Sklyer is "almost" back to square one progress wise. I worry about her quality of life. I don't want to give her up but I don't want her to die under the bed from isolation and depression. She still comes out form time to time and will only sit under the dining room table afraid to interact when play with the other cats, afraid to venture out . She eats looking over her shoulder; she poops knowing she'll be chased when she's done; she's lost interest in the few things she seemed to like. Putting her back outside is not an option safety and health wise, besides I love her.
Thanks for listening! I know this is long, but I wanted to describe the whole situation. I was so happy to find your site and have been reading a number of posts. I'm amazed at how helpful the replies are and what a nice community you have going on there!
I've attached photos of the current "players"
Skyler. @ 5 years old now. 4 years here.(not looking this good any more)
Dylan ( 2 this year)
Madison and Dylan
Judy
P.S. I had wanted to add that I lost a cat in 2010, Joey. He was 16 (CRF). He was an inside/outside cat (he found us many years back). Toward the end of his life, I'd go outside to bring him in. He was weak by then. One day when I did, I saw the cat who I now I call Skyler and another cat hanging out nearby where Joey was perched on a car hood at the front of the house. After that, Sklyer kept coming around to my back yard twice a day to feed and just hang out. That went on for a year before I checked her out and took her in. (Almost as if Joey talked to her and said, "I'm on my way out and Mom is going to be real sad, so start hanging out and move on in"!) At that time, I also had Baby, my beloved long haired golden cat who just passed in Nov. 2012 at 18. (Ironically, two years to the date Joey passed! Both on Nov 27th). He was quite ill with IBD that had progressed to small cell lymphoma and was not doing well. His internist expected him to go any minute. When Skyler started coming around, I would let her eat at the back screen door. Baby, who wasn't eating well, would only eat on the other side of the screen when Skyler was there!! It was quite amazing. Around this time, I adopted the kittens, Madison and Dylan, against my regular vets advice (he thought it might be too hard on a sick 16 year old cat) thinking Baby would not be with me much longer and I knew how devastated I'd be without a furry body to hold and love and help me work past my grief. Even though it was a lot of work at the beginning, I think having the kittens around gave Baby a new lease on life. At the time Baby passed, Skyler was getting integrated, slowly but surely. She and Baby were both more stand offish toward the kittens…Baby because of his age and limited mobility and Skler because of her "feral" background..but they'd all be around when I was flinging toys through the air or giving out treats or just in a certain room of the house. I only bring this last part up as I'm not sure how the dynamics of losing Baby may have played into what evolved with the behavior problem I'm having with Skyler and Dylan, although it didn't start as soon as Baby passed. Everyone is fixed and vaccinated properly by the way.
I am having a big problem with a "former feral" -female- Skyler and one of my two" kittens" - a male, Dylan (will be 2 later this year). When I first took Skyler in, she would hiss, strike out and intimidate the then younger kittens. Her behaviior probably was more "fearful" than "aggressive", but both of the kittens avoided her and were afraid of her. The "former feral," Skyler, has been in the house a year now (had been coming around ouside since 2010 and was being fed here and would sleep in a little bed outside). She had been making good progress, moving about and exploring, using the 2nd set of litter boxes in the front of the house, sleeping on top of my bed on her own pad along with the two kittens, and even having some positive interaction with the other kittens, especially Madison, another female (who I adopted at the same time as Dylan..not siblings and 3 mo apart, but act like they are), who thankfully is a good buffer and non problematic (except she's too fat!).
In the last couple of months, the male kitten, Dylan (fixed but getting older and finding he's more powerful than he thought!), has taken to chasing Skyler at every turn. She looks in his direction as she doesn't trust him; eye contact is made between the two and that sets them both off running, Dylan in hot pursuit of Skyer, who always runs back under the bed. He lies in wait just outside the door when she uses the litter box, in the back bedroom where she started out; she has apprehension in her demeanor as she starts to exit the room, running back under the bed with Dylan just behind. She barely comes out from under the bed these days. I'm afraid she's depressed and her quality of life is diminished. Her sweet demeanor has regressed to a low growl whenever she sees Dylan. Until recently, her only pleasure in life was the late night groomings and treats I consistently gave her (and interestingly, all 3 cats would be in my small bathroom at that time with no problem..but now, as soon as she sees Dylan, she's ill at ease and no longer enjoys the grooming, giving low growls as soon as I start the process). If I take the kittens out of the room and close the door, they scratch at the door and make a racket; and Skyler is still apprehensive because "she's now locked in".
I've tried all the usual behavior modification tricks I know of: spray can of water, loud noises (I was so frustrated/upset yesterday that I actually yelled at Dylan when he chased Skyer…again...he never hears me raise my voice like I did so he took off!), Feliway spray and Feliway plug ins in 2 rooms, treats when they are all together, and distraction), but Dylan continues to chase her whenever he sees her. I've begun to think Dylan actually likes me chasing him with the spray water bottle (I know …you're supposed to pretend that you are not the one doing the spraying….somehow!! If anyone figures that one out and how to be "Jonny on the spot" when the behavior is about to occur, pleas let me know!) It seems to be a real cat and mouse "game". And it may be fun for him, but it doesn't seem to be fun for her. I've decided to let it play out and do nothing as nothing I've tried is working.
Interestingly, to me at least, is that Dlylan is otherwise a very sweet, smart and adorable cat. I've never had a lap cat before and he is that and more. He sits on my lap, looks in my eyes and if he could, he'd crawl into me! I try to give all the cats attention so as to not create the impression of "favorites". I know there are probably territorial issues going on and maybe jealousy issues, if cats have those.
An added problem: Skyler may have some health issues as she has some low blood markers -- WBC, Neutrophils , Lymphocytes, and Platelet Count, but no FeLv or FIV--Another CBC will be given in a month. She had this condition months ago when I did a one year in the house routine blood test. At that time, we didn't have this behavioral issue so not sure if there is any connection. I don't know if depression in cats can cause low findings on these markers.
We had come a long way since Skyler started her indoor life…from being sequestered in a small bathroom from other cats, using soil as litter, urinating on "comfort rags" on the floor, hiding and making herself "so small" that once I couldn't even find her in that small room!, and finally, being "introduced" properly to my three other cats. I feel that Sklyer is "almost" back to square one progress wise. I worry about her quality of life. I don't want to give her up but I don't want her to die under the bed from isolation and depression. She still comes out form time to time and will only sit under the dining room table afraid to interact when play with the other cats, afraid to venture out . She eats looking over her shoulder; she poops knowing she'll be chased when she's done; she's lost interest in the few things she seemed to like. Putting her back outside is not an option safety and health wise, besides I love her.
Thanks for listening! I know this is long, but I wanted to describe the whole situation. I was so happy to find your site and have been reading a number of posts. I'm amazed at how helpful the replies are and what a nice community you have going on there!
I've attached photos of the current "players"
Judy
P.S. I had wanted to add that I lost a cat in 2010, Joey. He was 16 (CRF). He was an inside/outside cat (he found us many years back). Toward the end of his life, I'd go outside to bring him in. He was weak by then. One day when I did, I saw the cat who I now I call Skyler and another cat hanging out nearby where Joey was perched on a car hood at the front of the house. After that, Sklyer kept coming around to my back yard twice a day to feed and just hang out. That went on for a year before I checked her out and took her in. (Almost as if Joey talked to her and said, "I'm on my way out and Mom is going to be real sad, so start hanging out and move on in"!) At that time, I also had Baby, my beloved long haired golden cat who just passed in Nov. 2012 at 18. (Ironically, two years to the date Joey passed! Both on Nov 27th). He was quite ill with IBD that had progressed to small cell lymphoma and was not doing well. His internist expected him to go any minute. When Skyler started coming around, I would let her eat at the back screen door. Baby, who wasn't eating well, would only eat on the other side of the screen when Skyler was there!! It was quite amazing. Around this time, I adopted the kittens, Madison and Dylan, against my regular vets advice (he thought it might be too hard on a sick 16 year old cat) thinking Baby would not be with me much longer and I knew how devastated I'd be without a furry body to hold and love and help me work past my grief. Even though it was a lot of work at the beginning, I think having the kittens around gave Baby a new lease on life. At the time Baby passed, Skyler was getting integrated, slowly but surely. She and Baby were both more stand offish toward the kittens…Baby because of his age and limited mobility and Skler because of her "feral" background..but they'd all be around when I was flinging toys through the air or giving out treats or just in a certain room of the house. I only bring this last part up as I'm not sure how the dynamics of losing Baby may have played into what evolved with the behavior problem I'm having with Skyler and Dylan, although it didn't start as soon as Baby passed. Everyone is fixed and vaccinated properly by the way.
He always runs off as if to be saying all the while... HEE HEE HEE HEE. He never hurts her or even touches her but surely loves the chase. Perla has learned to just sit up against a wall and growl at him. She has learned that running is the greater of the two evils and she just plants herself now. I hope that Skylar will soon figure out a way to deal with Dylan's teasings. Because, that is all I think it is, a game of sorts for Dylan. Try to get Dylan involved in some active play sessions with wand toys. The more tired he is, the less he will be tempted to chase Skylar.
