(sorry this is so long)
OK first let me give some background on my cats. I have 2 cats (sisters) called Bailey who is a Ragdoll Siamese kinda cat and her sister Oakley is a domestic short hair. I guess this happens with 2 different fathers. They are 2 years old. I used to live in the Middle East (where I got them when they were 3 months old – the mother was poisoned and died). I lived in an apartment so they were inside cats… I had a small balcony where I kept the litter… they could not go outside further that. Bailey has always been more loving and required a lot of attention. Oakley was cuddly but not as much as her sister. I moved to Texas in February. So thinking it would be a good idea I started letting them outside. And they LOVE it! Problems started a few months ago when Bailey was bitten by a raccoon (we have tons here) – she was then kept inside with a collar on and antibiotics etc. and an operation to drain the puss – this happened twice! So therefore Oakley was not allowed outside also… This caused very bad feelings by Oakley….. she started hissing at her, growling and even giving Bailey a few swipes… I managed to let Oakley out sometimes but I guess she was mad coz her sister was keeping her inside…. And from there its gone from bad to worse! I started putting the cat door on “IN†evening time.. so that they would come in and then stay in till the morning till I let them back out. This was working fine till Oakley caught on to the idea and being a bit of a rebel – started to not come home at night at all…. This was very upsetting for me and was not sure of what to do… Then today (after Oakley not being around for 24hrs) came home with a cut/hole near her tail and puncture wounds on her right leg.. I have just come back from the vet – she has antibiotics… The vet suggested I should keep them in permanently or just let them out in the day time. The problem is that when I keep them in Oakley HATES Bailey and the growling is terrible. They both want to be outside. I think Bailey would adjust to being an inside again as she loves to be around me…. And is here in/out most of the day…. But Oakley wants to be outside desperately…. She even growled at me a little today…
My questions that I need help with are:
1. Do you think they would become inside cats again and be ok with that? Or would they continue to hate each other…. Also trying to keep them from running out the door when you open it is hard too.
2. Or maybe I could let them out in the day and HOPE they both come home… The vet suggested not putting out food in the day time so that when its evening they are hungry and come home.
I would really appreciate any help/suggestions…. I have no idea what to do about it.
Thanksssssssssssss
OK first let me give some background on my cats. I have 2 cats (sisters) called Bailey who is a Ragdoll Siamese kinda cat and her sister Oakley is a domestic short hair. I guess this happens with 2 different fathers. They are 2 years old. I used to live in the Middle East (where I got them when they were 3 months old – the mother was poisoned and died). I lived in an apartment so they were inside cats… I had a small balcony where I kept the litter… they could not go outside further that. Bailey has always been more loving and required a lot of attention. Oakley was cuddly but not as much as her sister. I moved to Texas in February. So thinking it would be a good idea I started letting them outside. And they LOVE it! Problems started a few months ago when Bailey was bitten by a raccoon (we have tons here) – she was then kept inside with a collar on and antibiotics etc. and an operation to drain the puss – this happened twice! So therefore Oakley was not allowed outside also… This caused very bad feelings by Oakley….. she started hissing at her, growling and even giving Bailey a few swipes… I managed to let Oakley out sometimes but I guess she was mad coz her sister was keeping her inside…. And from there its gone from bad to worse! I started putting the cat door on “IN†evening time.. so that they would come in and then stay in till the morning till I let them back out. This was working fine till Oakley caught on to the idea and being a bit of a rebel – started to not come home at night at all…. This was very upsetting for me and was not sure of what to do… Then today (after Oakley not being around for 24hrs) came home with a cut/hole near her tail and puncture wounds on her right leg.. I have just come back from the vet – she has antibiotics… The vet suggested I should keep them in permanently or just let them out in the day time. The problem is that when I keep them in Oakley HATES Bailey and the growling is terrible. They both want to be outside. I think Bailey would adjust to being an inside again as she loves to be around me…. And is here in/out most of the day…. But Oakley wants to be outside desperately…. She even growled at me a little today…
My questions that I need help with are:
1. Do you think they would become inside cats again and be ok with that? Or would they continue to hate each other…. Also trying to keep them from running out the door when you open it is hard too.
2. Or maybe I could let them out in the day and HOPE they both come home… The vet suggested not putting out food in the day time so that when its evening they are hungry and come home.
I would really appreciate any help/suggestions…. I have no idea what to do about it.
Thanksssssssssssss