- Joined
- Mar 17, 2018
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Hello to all! I'm new to this board and I've searched the threads for ideas etc. I'm a mom to three "Boyz" who are struggling to get along after a redirected aggression incident. I've paid both a non-certified "cat specialist" as well as a board certified behaviorist but I have a feeling there's got to be some of you out there who've actually been through this and kept your sanity!
I have 3 "boyz" all neutered ages 17, 7 & 8 that have co-existed lovingly for 7yrs with no aggression issues. For example, while they've always had at least 3,500 sq ft of house to roam, they are always together. They have always chosen to be with one another. Then, suddenly one night in early Jan., they were all looking out a window when something walked by. Ziggy (8yr) hissed which scared Bear (7) yr old who hissed and the most horrifying cat fight broke out. Luckily (Monte 16yr old is a little slower so he didn't really react much).
After working diligently for 4wks we had them all back together with no fighting. We took our time with re-introductions, we did the play with Da Bird "hide, hunt" sequence games, fed together, used screens to separate our house, put Ziggy and Bear on Zylkene, used Plug Ins, ...everything you could imagine. It took us 6 wks until we comfortably left them alone unsupervised together when we left. Seemed that we were in the clear.
Then out of the blue, it happened again, but this time the aggression was a bit more deliberate. We were out on the Lanai (screened pool enclosure) for hours, when suddenly Ziggy bit Bear for no apparent reason. The fight wasn't immediate but it happened shortly thereafter. After separating, it only took about an hour for everyone to calm down and once again "want" to be together. Next day, again out on Lanai, again after about 2 hours of hanging out together, another fight broke out this time started by Bear. Now they are struggling to be together yet they want to be. We have started the re-introduction process once again. Today was a good one, no hissing....several "play" sessions, several "close" encounters without hissing or fighter, some "positive" interactions followed by lots of kibble treats and praiseLol
We've lived in our home for over a year with NO problems but we now have lots of critters (too many to chase away) that seem to be visiting on a more frequent basic. We are in the process of trying to deter all of our visitors (bobcat, fox and one big Stray) with all the usual methods - Cat Away, Ultrasonic Motion sensors etc. but we live on acreage so we might never win the battle. Fencing companies have been contacted but that will take months.
In the meantime, we are struggling to get Ziggy and Bear together (Monte and Bear are ok). After months of no sleep (or sleeping with one eye open) and endless hours spent on working with them we are exhausted, frustrated and are losing hope 99% of the people we tell our story too just don't understand? Clearly they've never seen their own "children" fight with a kill or be killed demeanor.
I was wondering if any of you have had success with re-developing and maintaining kitty relationships after an incident like ours. How long did it take? Did you have re-occurences, how many, how long in between? Did you have lots of "setbacks"?
I truly appreciate any thoughts or feedback. Our "Boyz" are our children and our family has been torn apart.
Best,
Jt
I have 3 "boyz" all neutered ages 17, 7 & 8 that have co-existed lovingly for 7yrs with no aggression issues. For example, while they've always had at least 3,500 sq ft of house to roam, they are always together. They have always chosen to be with one another. Then, suddenly one night in early Jan., they were all looking out a window when something walked by. Ziggy (8yr) hissed which scared Bear (7) yr old who hissed and the most horrifying cat fight broke out. Luckily (Monte 16yr old is a little slower so he didn't really react much).
After working diligently for 4wks we had them all back together with no fighting. We took our time with re-introductions, we did the play with Da Bird "hide, hunt" sequence games, fed together, used screens to separate our house, put Ziggy and Bear on Zylkene, used Plug Ins, ...everything you could imagine. It took us 6 wks until we comfortably left them alone unsupervised together when we left. Seemed that we were in the clear.
Then out of the blue, it happened again, but this time the aggression was a bit more deliberate. We were out on the Lanai (screened pool enclosure) for hours, when suddenly Ziggy bit Bear for no apparent reason. The fight wasn't immediate but it happened shortly thereafter. After separating, it only took about an hour for everyone to calm down and once again "want" to be together. Next day, again out on Lanai, again after about 2 hours of hanging out together, another fight broke out this time started by Bear. Now they are struggling to be together yet they want to be. We have started the re-introduction process once again. Today was a good one, no hissing....several "play" sessions, several "close" encounters without hissing or fighter, some "positive" interactions followed by lots of kibble treats and praiseLol
We've lived in our home for over a year with NO problems but we now have lots of critters (too many to chase away) that seem to be visiting on a more frequent basic. We are in the process of trying to deter all of our visitors (bobcat, fox and one big Stray) with all the usual methods - Cat Away, Ultrasonic Motion sensors etc. but we live on acreage so we might never win the battle. Fencing companies have been contacted but that will take months.
In the meantime, we are struggling to get Ziggy and Bear together (Monte and Bear are ok). After months of no sleep (or sleeping with one eye open) and endless hours spent on working with them we are exhausted, frustrated and are losing hope 99% of the people we tell our story too just don't understand? Clearly they've never seen their own "children" fight with a kill or be killed demeanor.
I was wondering if any of you have had success with re-developing and maintaining kitty relationships after an incident like ours. How long did it take? Did you have re-occurences, how many, how long in between? Did you have lots of "setbacks"?
I truly appreciate any thoughts or feedback. Our "Boyz" are our children and our family has been torn apart.
Best,
Jt