Blind Confusion

loveburns23

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Hello all!

This is my first time posting so forgive me if I mess up but I've gotten so much good advice reading this site I'm hoping someone can help.  

I have 3 cats. Pretzel is a 4 year old neutered male DSH (alpha).  Bobble is almost 2, neutered DSH (so not alpha).  Cheddar is around 1, neutered DSH (wants to be alpha) and he's blind.

Here's my issue:

I've owned cats all my life and I have never done the proper introductions - I've put cats together and within a few days they got along.  It worked with Pretzel and Bobble.  It has not worked with Cheddar.  They hate him and he hates them.  It's not play fighting - there's fur flying.  I set Cheddar up in a room, closed it off with a baby gate and I'm trying the re-intros based on a lot of what I've read here.

When I adopted Cheddar from the rescue, just before Christmas, they never told me he sprayed.  He sprayed as soon as I brought him home so I took him to the vet and found out he had a UTI.  I gave him meds for that but the spraying continues.  The vet put him on Buspirone (5mg - 1/2 pill am, 1/2 pill pm).  He gets really aggressive right after the pill so I make sure I put him away in his room.  I know I messed up with the intros and I've tried Feliway, calming sprays, multiple cat boxes, multiple feeding stations, plenty of toys and playtime.  I'm hoping with time things will improve but currently nothing seems to be working and Cheddar attacks when the other cats use any litter box or food dishes. This is what seems really strange to me though.  I can be petting Cheddar and he'll rub on me and everything will be fine and all of a sudden he gives me a hands off meow and then rears back and swats at me.  And he'll keep swatting until I go away.  Whenever I pet him Pretzel comes around so I'm thinking maybe he's confusing me with Pretzel since he's blind.  Even if I put my hand to him so he can smell that it's me all he does is scratch me.  He's done this several times.  I'm taking him to the vet Monday but in the meantime has anyone else experienced anything like this?
 

calicosrspecial

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Hi,

I have never had a blind cat so I may not be the best person to give advice. I am sure others can give better.

But I can imagine how scary it must be being blind in a new home with unknown cats.

So I personally would have them separated and begin a formal introduction. I would go through the process slowly and methodically. Here are some links and I am happy to answer questions and help throughout the process for as long as needed.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

The spraying/marking can be medical (pain, infection) or territorial driven (insecure about owning the territory - letting other cats know "This is mine").

I hope that keeping them separate should help Cheddar feel more secure. And he can have his territory. And slowly get introduced to the other cats. The more they associate each other with good things the more accepting they should be and the more positive (no attacks or anything negative) the more they should be willing to accept.

Cats typically fight because of fear. So we want to let the cats no there is no threat from the other and they associate the other cat(s) with good things.

Finally, I would just go at Cheddars pace on petting and love. It could be he gets overstimulated. It could be the other cat driving fear.Having Cheddar in a safe room should give us clarity on the driver of his reaction. But I would let Cheddar initiate the contact rather than initiating contact.

I would use food to build trust with Cheddar. Be very calm and confident around him. Cats can take on our emotions so being as calm and confident should help Cheddar feel more secure.

I am sure others will help as well. I will be here for you every step of the way so please feel free to ask anything anytime. 
 
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loveburns23

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Thank you so much for the response and the links.  Cheddar is such a sweet cat and I know he hasn't had it easy being blind and moved around from place to place.  And my other cats are sweet too that's why when they didn't get along I was so surprised.  Fortunately I have plenty of treats and love for them.  

I wasn't thinking I might have been overstimulating Cheddar with the petting but that makes sense.  I'll let him take the lead and hopefully as he gets more comfortable with me and my other cats things will get better.  
 

calicosrspecial

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You are very welcome.

I am confident that you have the skills and desire to help them get along. That is really the key. Combine that with the fact they are good cats and I think we'll have success. There will be ups and downs and it will take some time but I know you can do it.

Please let me know how things go and please feel free to ask anything anytime. I am happy to help throughout the process.

Thank you so much for saving another life.
 
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loveburns23

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I took Cheddar to the vet and had him taken off the Buspirone.  Within a couple of days his aggression subsided - it's been 2 weeks and he hasn't swatted at me after petting 
 and he doesn't go after my other 2 cats (well....not like before), though sometimes Pretzel will give him a swat to remind him who's boss.  The vet said, if I want to try, I could put him on Prozac to see if that helps because my theory was that if he mellowed out it would help them all get along and if they all got along he would stop spraying but I hesitate to put him on anything else.  I'd rather deal with him spraying then have a zombie kitty.  It's not as bad as when I first brought him home but it doesn't seem like it will ever stop 
 

My vet said to use something like an air horn when I see him spray but that seems a little extreme, plus I rarely actually see him do it.  I do a check every morning with a UV flashlight and clean it up with an enzyme cleaner and then after it dries I spray the spot with some Feliway.  My sister mentioned that he could possibly be spraying to mark the location to help him get around but I've never read anything about blind cats needing to do that.  I think it's just the stress of him not getting along with my other 2 cats yet so I'm working hard on the intros.  Fingers crossed...
 

calicosrspecial

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The marking is often driven by territorial insecurity. They feel like they don't "own" the territory (because of other cats, dogs, etc) so they spray to say "I am here, this is mine, I am relevant".

Keep associating the other cat's scent with good things (especially food). The more they "interact" via smell and there is no risk, fear, etc the more trust will be built. Just take it slowly and try to maximize the positive encounters and minimize the negative encounters.

Can he play at all? With a ball with a sound or something? Again I am not an expert with blind cats. But maybe there is a thread on it here. Cats build confidence with play. Replicating the instinct of Hunt, Capture, Kill, Eat. We always feed after play. This builds confidence.

I would also add a scratching post so he can get his scent on something. Can you put them near where he marks?

I am not a big fan of using meds. To me that is a last resort. I tend to believe more in building confidence to improve behavior. Confidence through play, food, height and love.

Please keep working on the intros and associating them with good things. The more positive the encounters (through smell at first) the more likely they will trust.

I will be with you every step of the way. I am highly confident you will get them to get along. It is all about building confidence, trust, ownership of the territory and having them realize the other cats are not a threat.

Keep up the great work. Feel free to ask anything, I hope this helps. 
 

basschick

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an air horn?!?!?!?  maybe time to consider a new vet.  scaring the heck out of your poor blind cat seems inhumane and will certainly lead your cat to feeling insecure at all times.
 

calicosrspecial

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I am with basschick on this as well. I don't like commenting on vets but I too did not like that. I am glad that you (LoveBurns23) did not consider that.

We can solve this problem by building confidence and increasing your cat's territorial security. It takes time but it does work.

We are here for you.
 

mrs dolbear

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Yea an air horn seems way too extreme even in a case when the cat isn't blind, we use a finger click/snap and a firm "no" when Sergeant Pepper claws the carpet, and it is starting to work, shame it's a bit late for the carpet though
 
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loveburns23

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He really is a good vet so I was surprised when he said air horn - that was never going to happen but I actually did buy those clicker things that I read about on here and I'm trying that!  One of us is going to get trained!!

I have a cat tree near where Cheddar marks - I keep it by my sliders leading out to the patio.  Cheddar really loves spraying those blinds!  And as far as him playing - I swear sometimes I think he can see!!  He loves playing with most everything that my other cats do.  I have a lot of noisemakers too.  My house always sounds like a carnival - it's really good times at 3am.  

A little progress is happening with the intros at least, when I have them together.  I have an end table Cheddar likes to sit on and now Bobble will go underneath and touch him with his paw and it's funny to see Cheddar trying to figure out where Bobble's paw will come up next because he can't see it.  Maybe Bobble is just trying to be a jerk
 - but it seems like they're playing. 

Today Pretzel was standing on the top of a chair watching me do something and Cheddar jumped up on the arm.  Pretzel hissed at him but there was no fighting and Cheddar actually held his ground and didn't move.  
 

rampionrampage

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I take buspirone for my own anxiety. It seems pretty extreme for what you are describing, especially since you sound pretty experienced and laid back. The airhorn is insane. All your cats, and yourself, will develop issues with one of those going off.

Your vet may be good in general but it sounds like he isn't very experienced with behavioral issues or maybe just thinking that a special needs kitty should be treated in a dramatically different way than regular cats. The emotional needs and behavior patterns are the same, there are just some minor considerations regarding the cat being unable to see (my cat recently had temporary blindness, and still some vision issues... same cat, just some practical issues to mind).

I think you should continue following your instincts, as well as the suggestions here (I got great ones when my guy lost his sight). You do seem to have a good head on your shoulders and patience for this - taking the long way around here seems like something you can handle. :) Keep paying attention to when he reacts, it's good that you are working to find patterns to his behavior.
 
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calicosrspecial

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LoveBurns23,

Cheddar is marking by the sliding doors leading to the patio? Could there be ferals coming around? Can you get a black light and check the outside area? They may be marking and causing insecurity so Cheddar marks to say  "stay away, this is mine". A major cause of marking.

I LOVE to hear Cheddar loves to play. Please keep up the play and after a good play session feed either treats or a meal. This builds confidence and ownership. It replicates what cats do for a living. Hunt, Capture, Kill, Eat.

Just take it slow with the process. So far it sounds like things are going well. keep associating with positive things (food), keep building confidence (through play, height) and please try to maximize the positive encounters and minimize any negative encounters. When they realize the other cat(s) are not a threat they are more willing to accept. Sounds like you are making progress.

It sounds likes Bobble wants to play (and Cheddar plays back) which is great. And I am so glad to hear that Cheddar held his ground when Pretzel hissed. Feel free to distract with play in order to avoid any negative encounter.

I second what Rampion and Mrs Dolbear write.

It sounds like you are doing a great job. Just keep up the great work. There will be ups and downs but just try to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives. But I am highly confident you will succeed.

We will be here for you any time so please feel free to update, ask questions, anything at all. We are here for you. 
 
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loveburns23

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Yes CalicosRSpecial you're exactly right - definitely ferals coming around.  We trap-neuter-release in my neighborhood and I keep food out for them - there's about 4 or 5 that stop in for food so I'm sure that's part of the problem as far as the spraying/marking on the patio.  Plus I have an outdoor cat house near the patio but I'm not sure if anyone uses it.  I can see exactly where he sprays the screens and it's in the same 3 spots.  I spray it with enzyme cleaner but I'm just assuming that won't stop if he's outside.  My cats don't go on the patio in the summer because Florida is hot and my cats are used to A/C so pretty soon he'll be staying inside anyway.

I know this isn't a behavior issue but I just bought an outside feeder that I read about on here that's supposed to keep out birds (what a pain the crows are and I have a feeder on my orange tree for them!!), ants and rain.  I just got it today 
  I hope it works and the cats use it even though the screen flap is thick and it has a thin metal bar on the bottom I'm assuming to keep the flap down so the birds don't go in.  I really love this site!!

I'm glad you agree that Bobble and Cheddar are playing.  I'm hoping that soon those 2 are BFFs!!   More play time!!

Thank you to everyone for all the advice and encouragement - I really appreciate it.  
 

calicosrspecial

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You are very welcome.

Yes, the ferals are causing the insecurity and Cheddar is saying "this is mine" with his marking. I too feed ferals so I know that even moving the food etc doesn't stop the spraying by them.

Please step up the play especially by those patio doors. Also, is it possible to get a cat tree near there and some scratching posts? We want Cheddar to scratch them and rub on them and get his scent on something there to say "this is mine" rather than marking. We need to build his security and play, feeding after, height (cat trees) and scratching posts should help. It is tricky but I usually deal with the issue internally rather than trying to correct the feral behavior (rightly or wrongly). The key is to have the indoor cats know that they are secure and safe from the ferals.

It sounds good so far. Just please keep up trying to associate the cats with good things (especially food) and try to maximize the positive encounters and minimize the negative (by distracting with play typically).

Play play play then feed. Builds a lot of confidence in cats. They love to Hunt, Capture, Kill, Eat (even toys and treats).

Keep up the good work, we are always here for you.
 
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