Ursula* is a foundling. She found me about six years ago and I tried to find her a home right away as I didn't really want another cat. The neighbors were interested in her, but she was interested in me. I would take her over to their house and wake up with her in my bed. This happened a few times before I agreed to have her live with us.
At first she was a good kitty. A bit needy, but very loving and just a good cat. I loved her and thought that I had made the right choice.
Fast forward six years later. My troubles really started when I traveled around India for six months and had her stay with a friend while I was gone. It took her a while to recover from that, but she did and things were good until I bought a fixer upper about a year and a half ago... Matters have gotten much, much worse as we tear apart our house. We ripped out all of the lathe and plaster in the living room and are slowly putting in insulation and drywall. She has taken to lifting her leg and peeing on the insulation, I had to rip a bunch of it out and start over!
Additionally, after we started to rip out the walls, she started to lick herself...and lick herself... and lick herself. I am thinking that she is stressed at all of the construction and changes we are making ... I try to pet and love her all of the time, it works for awhile, it just doesn't have a lasting effect. I am reluctant to give her Prozac (I had some suggest that!), but don't know what to do! She has always been a cat that only a mother can love, always. Now her behavior is making it hard for me too. I still love her, I just am at my wits end with her. I can't reduce her stress until the house is fixed up, which will be years (you know how remodels are)... Please, does anyone have any ideas?
SunBun*
*Name changed to protect the guilty and innocent
At first she was a good kitty. A bit needy, but very loving and just a good cat. I loved her and thought that I had made the right choice.
Fast forward six years later. My troubles really started when I traveled around India for six months and had her stay with a friend while I was gone. It took her a while to recover from that, but she did and things were good until I bought a fixer upper about a year and a half ago... Matters have gotten much, much worse as we tear apart our house. We ripped out all of the lathe and plaster in the living room and are slowly putting in insulation and drywall. She has taken to lifting her leg and peeing on the insulation, I had to rip a bunch of it out and start over!
Additionally, after we started to rip out the walls, she started to lick herself...and lick herself... and lick herself. I am thinking that she is stressed at all of the construction and changes we are making ... I try to pet and love her all of the time, it works for awhile, it just doesn't have a lasting effect. I am reluctant to give her Prozac (I had some suggest that!), but don't know what to do! She has always been a cat that only a mother can love, always. Now her behavior is making it hard for me too. I still love her, I just am at my wits end with her. I can't reduce her stress until the house is fixed up, which will be years (you know how remodels are)... Please, does anyone have any ideas?
SunBun*
*Name changed to protect the guilty and innocent