Get one of those plastic door mats and place it over the carpeting at the doorways of the rooms in which she will be confined. It will save your carpet.
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HELP or my cat will be finding a new home!!!
- Thread starter mustangmike
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Not sure what to think. However if she was on the streets, she would be more active at nite - and maybe she had to fight for everything on the street - so its like claiming territory, etc.
Can you try keeping her in one room at nite? Remember you've only had her 3 weeks - it might be a big adjustment, but sounds like you've done everything right so far. Give her time.
BTW not EVERY cat is responsive to catnip.
Can you try keeping her in one room at nite? Remember you've only had her 3 weeks - it might be a big adjustment, but sounds like you've done everything right so far. Give her time.
BTW not EVERY cat is responsive to catnip.
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Try putting the soft paws nail covers on her, that will save her from shredding your home.
It does sound as if you are trying everything you can! But one other thought. How many litter boxes does she have? she should have at least two, as most cats do not like to pee and poop in the same place. On behaviour, this cat is a bit like a child who has been abused and is trying to test its new home. She has suddenly found warmth, food, affection and she wants all of it at once but may not know how to deal with it. It is hard on adoptive parents with any new creature, human or other, as we never know what the back circumstances are. Good luck, I hope you work it out.
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and have you gotten feliway? also a tv on can be helpful or even a cd playing.
does she have things to lay on that have your smell? is her litter box super super clean?
does she have things to lay on that have your smell? is her litter box super super clean?
Wow youve gotten alot of advice here. I hope your able to get to the bottom of your kittys stress.
It sounds like your doing all the things you should be. Make sure you let us know what the vet says when you go.
I also use a squirt bottle and Stormy KNOWS what the squirt bottle means and now all we have to do it point it at her and say in a normal voice......Stormy No and she immediately stops.
The only reason I ever use the squirt bottle was for jumping to where she should not be and the very beginning with scratching. For the crying we ignored it and after about a week it has mostly stopped. It used to be every PM and early AM and now its the occasional AM but thats it and we still just ignore her and she stops after a few minutes. Stormy hates to be wet so the bottle worked well for us.
As for scratching she also learned quickly where she can and cant scratch but that was with the normal voice saying NO as well. WE just talk sternly when we say it.
The bottle didnt hurt her in any way and shes still just as much a loving girl as shes always been.
Keep us posted........
I also use a squirt bottle and Stormy KNOWS what the squirt bottle means and now all we have to do it point it at her and say in a normal voice......Stormy No and she immediately stops.
Keep us posted........
Please keep us updated on Cleo. You have done a wonderful thing by adopting her and giving her a loving home and I am sure in time she will realize this. Hopefully you can be tolerant of her while she realizes what a wonderful family you are!
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It can take adopted kitties a long time to settle down and feel safe and loved again. You can understand the fears that your kitty must have, knowing that she has probably trusted before and then been hurt or frightened, probably more than once, and they do say `Once bitten twice shy'. I someimtes think it's because animals don't understand what happens to them and why, that they can take so long to recover from mistreatment. However, if you show consistency to her - in your praise and positive reinforcement, as well as in your routine, your rules and your boundaries, this is the quickest way to establish trust and relaxation in your kitty.
Cats are creatures of habit, they thrive on it and they don't like change. Think of all the turmoil this poor kitty has been through in her young life, and how much worse that will make it for her if you find you are unable to cope and have to hand her back.
I had a kitty just like yours, my Cairo. I couldn't stand her after a while she was such a difficult little cat, and showed nothing to me in return for my care but fear and mistrust. But I perservered, because she had won my heart the first day I laid eyes on her and no one else was prepared to do what it took with her, and after about a year she was a different cat. Affectionate, loving, sweet - still a bit skittish (and she still is, seven years later) but the bond I have with her is unbreakable. She trusts me like no other, will come to me where she'll run from anyone else, she loves me with all her heart and I feel the same way about her.
Stick with this little kitty. Remember her trauma and pain, and how she is desperately trying to find a family to love her. She doesn't know how to behave until you teach her, and you have done such a kind and wonderful thing by taking her in and spending your time and money on her with the vet visits etc, she will become a wonderful companion whose love you will experience like no other. It is well worth it, I promise, if you can just hang in there.
Good on you, and good luck.
Cats are creatures of habit, they thrive on it and they don't like change. Think of all the turmoil this poor kitty has been through in her young life, and how much worse that will make it for her if you find you are unable to cope and have to hand her back.
I had a kitty just like yours, my Cairo. I couldn't stand her after a while she was such a difficult little cat, and showed nothing to me in return for my care but fear and mistrust. But I perservered, because she had won my heart the first day I laid eyes on her and no one else was prepared to do what it took with her, and after about a year she was a different cat. Affectionate, loving, sweet - still a bit skittish (and she still is, seven years later) but the bond I have with her is unbreakable. She trusts me like no other, will come to me where she'll run from anyone else, she loves me with all her heart and I feel the same way about her.
Stick with this little kitty. Remember her trauma and pain, and how she is desperately trying to find a family to love her. She doesn't know how to behave until you teach her, and you have done such a kind and wonderful thing by taking her in and spending your time and money on her with the vet visits etc, she will become a wonderful companion whose love you will experience like no other. It is well worth it, I promise, if you can just hang in there.
Good on you, and good luck.
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Thanks again to everyone, as mentioned, there is a TON of great advice here. Well, things have improved a bit on the behaviors I guess, but more because of us limiting her space while we sleep and also because of these wonderful inventions - SOFT PAWS! The claw caps have ended all of her destruction, though she is still trying to scratch at the carpet/door when we leave her in the separate bedroom by herself. We'll deal with the behavior as it continues to happen, but I feel better knowing that I won't wake up to more shredded carpet and doors that have been torn apart.
That said, she is still crying all night long - for a few minutes almost every hour during the night. Her new thing is to scratch and kick her litter box apart. I know cats can enjoy digging in their boxes, but being that the room she is in is right above the one we sleep in, I can hear her in there for 10 minutes at a time just going nuts with it - as opposed to her normal visit that is less than a minute normally.
All of this aside, I took her to the vet this morning and things are not good. This vet is VERY good, she has come recommended by many and we actually used to take our dog to her (the dog had to be put to sleep at 15 years of age just last year). She thought Cleo was completely healthy initially. I explained all of her behavior issues and the vet agreed a UTI couldn't be ruled out but she highly doubted it based on what she was seeing/I was telling her. She did the urine test anyway just to be sure. I got a call back with the results after I got home. Negative on the UTI, no issues. What IS of issue is that her concentration of urine is extremely low compared to what's normal for a cat. According to her, this is attributed to partial kidney failure, which is common with older cats? I obviously told her that we were told that the best guess was that Cleo was 4 years old. The vet said this type of problem normally only shows up in cats that are 10+ years old. The youngest that she had only ever seen/treated was one single cat that was 6 years old! She explained to me that the shelters basically make a guess as to the age of the cat when they get a stray - based on the condition of the cat's teeth and health/size/activeness overall. She admitted that it's a guess at best, and seems to think that Cleo is a good bit older than we first thought.
Bottom line - Cleo is in no pain as of right now. The Vet confirmed her belief of kidney failure when she asked how much water Cleo drinks (up to 2 small bowls per day). She said this is typical of a cat with kidney failure. She (the vet) wants to do more bloodwork to try to determine how severe this kidney failure is - I'm going back with Cleo on Friday for that. As it relates to how this thread started - the Vet is completely sure that this is having no affect on Cleo's personality - she believes that Cleo's behavior issues are just who Cleo is. We can try to work with it but it may be tough to overcome.
I haven't really got into asking what's next, if in fact they confirm kidney failure and it's severity. She warned me that the blood test will only confirm a rather severe case, and that the urine test would actually pick up less developed cases - but she thinks the blood work is the place to go next. She also warned me that ultrasound and xrays would be the step after the bloodwork, depending on what they find in the blood. Here lies another problem - all of that work could cost $500+ and that is only to diagnose it! On top of that, we have a cat with behavior issues that we've only had for a month, AND we're now being told she could be 10+ years old! As I mentioned, we're a young couple just getting started and we certainly don't have the money to put into this, knowing that the bills could get to be insane after the diagnosis costs.
Need I say more? We're going to talk to the Vet more on Friday, but I'm a mix of in shock, sadness for Cleo, and uncertainty of how to handle what may be next. It's tough to ask for anymore help after all of the great info you've all given to us already, but does anyone have any comment as to what we should do now? We want to keep her, but not if her behavior does not change - but we can't give away a sick cat - but we can't afford all of the bills and treatment! What a situation!
Thanks again for everyone's help!!
That said, she is still crying all night long - for a few minutes almost every hour during the night. Her new thing is to scratch and kick her litter box apart. I know cats can enjoy digging in their boxes, but being that the room she is in is right above the one we sleep in, I can hear her in there for 10 minutes at a time just going nuts with it - as opposed to her normal visit that is less than a minute normally.
All of this aside, I took her to the vet this morning and things are not good. This vet is VERY good, she has come recommended by many and we actually used to take our dog to her (the dog had to be put to sleep at 15 years of age just last year). She thought Cleo was completely healthy initially. I explained all of her behavior issues and the vet agreed a UTI couldn't be ruled out but she highly doubted it based on what she was seeing/I was telling her. She did the urine test anyway just to be sure. I got a call back with the results after I got home. Negative on the UTI, no issues. What IS of issue is that her concentration of urine is extremely low compared to what's normal for a cat. According to her, this is attributed to partial kidney failure, which is common with older cats? I obviously told her that we were told that the best guess was that Cleo was 4 years old. The vet said this type of problem normally only shows up in cats that are 10+ years old. The youngest that she had only ever seen/treated was one single cat that was 6 years old! She explained to me that the shelters basically make a guess as to the age of the cat when they get a stray - based on the condition of the cat's teeth and health/size/activeness overall. She admitted that it's a guess at best, and seems to think that Cleo is a good bit older than we first thought.
Bottom line - Cleo is in no pain as of right now. The Vet confirmed her belief of kidney failure when she asked how much water Cleo drinks (up to 2 small bowls per day). She said this is typical of a cat with kidney failure. She (the vet) wants to do more bloodwork to try to determine how severe this kidney failure is - I'm going back with Cleo on Friday for that. As it relates to how this thread started - the Vet is completely sure that this is having no affect on Cleo's personality - she believes that Cleo's behavior issues are just who Cleo is. We can try to work with it but it may be tough to overcome.
I haven't really got into asking what's next, if in fact they confirm kidney failure and it's severity. She warned me that the blood test will only confirm a rather severe case, and that the urine test would actually pick up less developed cases - but she thinks the blood work is the place to go next. She also warned me that ultrasound and xrays would be the step after the bloodwork, depending on what they find in the blood. Here lies another problem - all of that work could cost $500+ and that is only to diagnose it! On top of that, we have a cat with behavior issues that we've only had for a month, AND we're now being told she could be 10+ years old! As I mentioned, we're a young couple just getting started and we certainly don't have the money to put into this, knowing that the bills could get to be insane after the diagnosis costs.
Need I say more? We're going to talk to the Vet more on Friday, but I'm a mix of in shock, sadness for Cleo, and uncertainty of how to handle what may be next. It's tough to ask for anymore help after all of the great info you've all given to us already, but does anyone have any comment as to what we should do now? We want to keep her, but not if her behavior does not change - but we can't give away a sick cat - but we can't afford all of the bills and treatment! What a situation!
Thanks again for everyone's help!!
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Wow, it sounds as though this one needs an awful lot of thought. I'm very sorry to hear about your poor Cleo, and the difficult and unloved life she had before she came to you.
Does the vet say that there is a possibility of treating a suspected kidney disorder without having to do all of the expensive tests? As you have clearly demonstrated, you are willing to do an awful lot for your kitty, but I do understand that although you factor in vet costs this is a big blow, $500 isn't the kind of money people just have lying around.
Perhaps your vet would allow you to work out some kind of payment plan if you decide that is the way you want to go? Most vets are good like this, and you say your vet is excellent.
I think time will provide you with the answers, in the meantime I understand your anguish but I still hope that you perservere with this cat, as she sounds like she's had a pretty miserable life and needs very badly to live out the rest of her days, as long as they may be, with a loving family to care for her.
And I disagree with her behaviour problems, I still feel from what you have written that they stem from deep-seated insecurities and issues, especially if she is older than you first thought, and that they will dissipate in time with good health, love, care, and a strict routine.
Does the vet say that there is a possibility of treating a suspected kidney disorder without having to do all of the expensive tests? As you have clearly demonstrated, you are willing to do an awful lot for your kitty, but I do understand that although you factor in vet costs this is a big blow, $500 isn't the kind of money people just have lying around.
Perhaps your vet would allow you to work out some kind of payment plan if you decide that is the way you want to go? Most vets are good like this, and you say your vet is excellent.
I think time will provide you with the answers, in the meantime I understand your anguish but I still hope that you perservere with this cat, as she sounds like she's had a pretty miserable life and needs very badly to live out the rest of her days, as long as they may be, with a loving family to care for her.
And I disagree with her behaviour problems, I still feel from what you have written that they stem from deep-seated insecurities and issues, especially if she is older than you first thought, and that they will dissipate in time with good health, love, care, and a strict routine.
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Sorry to hear about these added difficulties. Bless you for sticking out with this poor kitty. Cleo sounds like she has had a rough life and I am sure that she appreciates the care even if she doesn't know how to show it.
If she is older than you were told and she was on her own that long or bounced from here to there, that would explain a lot of her behaviours. It will simply take time and a committed heart for her to settle into a home and family routine.
Some cats aren't really great at showing love, affection, or appreciation. Especially ferals or semi-ferals. If she was on the streets for years then it is amazing that she is as loving as you described.
She must really have been a lovey dovey kitty at heart to stay that affectionate toward humans. I pray that you will be able to give her a good home until the end; however long that may be. May God be with you.
If she is older than you were told and she was on her own that long or bounced from here to there, that would explain a lot of her behaviours. It will simply take time and a committed heart for her to settle into a home and family routine.
Some cats aren't really great at showing love, affection, or appreciation. Especially ferals or semi-ferals. If she was on the streets for years then it is amazing that she is as loving as you described.
She must really have been a lovey dovey kitty at heart to stay that affectionate toward humans. I pray that you will be able to give her a good home until the end; however long that may be. May God be with you.
How sad! I am sorry she may be facing serious medical problems!
For the behavior, it sounds to me like fear of abandonment. I think having her own room is a great idea, because in time she will see that it is her safe zone. Be sure to give her a blankie or something of yours to cuddle with. I would also suggest a "good-bye" routine, like you would use dropping a child off at the sitters. Always say the same things, and do the same things when she is put in her safe room. Also use a coming back routine when you come home, and let her out. Then she gets the message that it is a short good-bye, but learns that you come back. I would add some short periods in the safe room when you are not actually leaving the home or going to bed. Once or twice a day, put her in her room for 2-5 minutes, then greet her and let her out. This will reinforce to her more quickly that you always come back to get her.
Best of luck with Cleo. She is lucky to have such caring parents. I hope her health problems are treatable, so you can enjoy her for many years to come! It sounds like she is a very loving cat.
For the behavior, it sounds to me like fear of abandonment. I think having her own room is a great idea, because in time she will see that it is her safe zone. Be sure to give her a blankie or something of yours to cuddle with. I would also suggest a "good-bye" routine, like you would use dropping a child off at the sitters. Always say the same things, and do the same things when she is put in her safe room. Also use a coming back routine when you come home, and let her out. Then she gets the message that it is a short good-bye, but learns that you come back. I would add some short periods in the safe room when you are not actually leaving the home or going to bed. Once or twice a day, put her in her room for 2-5 minutes, then greet her and let her out. This will reinforce to her more quickly that you always come back to get her.
Best of luck with Cleo. She is lucky to have such caring parents. I hope her health problems are treatable, so you can enjoy her for many years to come! It sounds like she is a very loving cat.
I had the same problem with Phenom. She was an angel during the day and a spazzy pain in the neck at night. She wanted attention. She wanted in the bedroom with us, which was not an option. She is a good girl now that she knows we are not giong to let her in no matter how much scratching and whining she does. Make sure she has a comfy bed(i use a wicker baskets with a fleece throw and some towels and she loves it) and plenty of food and water.if she scratches and spazzes out, go to her, pick her up, tell her NO sternly but dont yell, and put her in her bed. repeat until she figures out that it is bed time.
It will take time but the love she will show you in return will make it all worth while!
Good luck to you!
I am also sorry to hear about her health problems. Atleast you can give her a good quality of life for now.
It will take time but the love she will show you in return will make it all worth while!
Good luck to you!
I am also sorry to hear about her health problems. Atleast you can give her a good quality of life for now.
What is the word on Cleo today?
Mike you are angel, do NOT give up. All my kitties have been rescue or stray and I can honestly say it can take up to a year to adjust. My little Saba (middle photo) has been with me one year exactly. She was an abandoned, emaciated, hairless mess that was outside for a really long time. She took 9 months to finally accept Eric and learn to play with letting herself relax.
I do feel VERY strongly that the Jekyll/Hyde behavior of sorts, for lack of a better analogy, is her internal struggle that is deeply rooted in abandonment issues as well as learning to let her guard down a bit. Her vocality and scratching are territorial markers that she is exercising to "the world" - in this case it happens to be the world inside your home!
She WILL settle down with proper medical care and your continued love and support.
You might think about regular play sessions with her at the same time each night. All it takes is 15 minutes. Try different types of play but keep it regular, and give her a little bit of a good workout. She needs this outlet, and play bonds you to her.
We are all here for you. We don't quit. We will listen and read and support and be with you every step of the way, but don't give up. Continue being an angel, please
I do feel VERY strongly that the Jekyll/Hyde behavior of sorts, for lack of a better analogy, is her internal struggle that is deeply rooted in abandonment issues as well as learning to let her guard down a bit. Her vocality and scratching are territorial markers that she is exercising to "the world" - in this case it happens to be the world inside your home!
She WILL settle down with proper medical care and your continued love and support.
We are all here for you. We don't quit. We will listen and read and support and be with you every step of the way, but don't give up. Continue being an angel, please
MustangMike said:
Hi.
I feel your pain. When I got my first kitty ever this past September, Bootsie, she had all kinds of problems. She was also a little goon at night, every night zooming around and jumping on the bed and scratching the sheets with me under them! She did this for about a month and then it started to die down when I started just ignoring it.
Her vet visits also got REALLY EXPENSIVE. I got one of those regular customer discount plans and that helped a little but in the end I needed more money. So I took up tutoring part time. My life is a bit more busy because of having to work extra hours but when my little sweetie is sleeping in my lap all contented and happy that makes it all worth it.
I feel your pain. When I got my first kitty ever this past September, Bootsie, she had all kinds of problems. She was also a little goon at night, every night zooming around and jumping on the bed and scratching the sheets with me under them! She did this for about a month and then it started to die down when I started just ignoring it.
Her vet visits also got REALLY EXPENSIVE. I got one of those regular customer discount plans and that helped a little but in the end I needed more money. So I took up tutoring part time. My life is a bit more busy because of having to work extra hours but when my little sweetie is sleeping in my lap all contented and happy that makes it all worth it.
My almost one year old has been diagnosed with kidney failure as well so I understand your concern. This was the first time the vet has seen it in a cat so young. But it does happen. So your cat's age may actually be correct.
I would keep her. I know the vet bills can add up but since the vet didn't catch this the first time she was in there, maybe you can work out a payment plan with the vet.
My girl has improved drastically. She is on a special diet but that is about it. Check-ups more often as well to make sure she never gets dehyrated
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Some ways to encourage her to drink more water-
Look into pet fountains- PetMate is a good one-
Float ping pong balls in large glass bowls of water. Put colored rocks in the bottom of the bowls
Put her on wet food with low ash content
dribble tuna juice, sardine oil or mackeral juice into her water bowls.
Look into pet fountains- PetMate is a good one-
Float ping pong balls in large glass bowls of water. Put colored rocks in the bottom of the bowls
Put her on wet food with low ash content
dribble tuna juice, sardine oil or mackeral juice into her water bowls.
