Stats on the cat:
11 Year Old
Egyptian Mau mix
Recently adopted (in October), then moved across country
Lives with 3 people and one other cat (her 7 year old daughter)
Okay, so this should explain a little bit more: I adopted these two cats from a friend. Both can be very loving at times, but obviously the younger of the two has dealt with the stress better. She is always with the family, always purring, always meowing, playing, etc. She's slept on the bed with me since I adopted them both. Bottom line - she's doing great!
HOWEVER - the older gal had a hard time dealing with all of the changes. Part of the reason her previous owner adopted her out is because she is a stressed out kitty as it is - he owns a ton of animals, and the other ones being around seemed to get to her. She would eat too much food too fast and end up spitting up all the time. He wanted her to have a happier, less stressed life as a senior. She can have that with me, she lives in a big house now, no other animals except her daughter. They get along most of the time - sometimes they play, sometimes Mama will let little one know she's had enough fun and whack her. It was only after the cross country move that she started to come out of her shell with me though. Now she'll sit in bed with me while I'm reading, and she likes to get pets. She has some odd aggressive behaviors though. Sometimes with no warning at all - she will lash out, bite and scratch and hiss simultaneously. I usually just regard this behavior with leaving her alone until she comes out and deliberately "asks" for pets. She seems to adore being brushed.
Newest situation though - young one will let me clip her nails without a question. Mama cat will NOT let me even try. The last time she had her nails clipped was at the vet two months ago. I wouldn't even bother but her nails seem unnaturally long and they are starting to grab onto things. She has a lot of scratching posts that she does use, but still the nails seem too long. Yesterday I tried and failed yet again at clipping her. I decided to have some help with it - I tried to hold her still while another person clipped. She actually BARKED. She was growling, screaming, hissing, and digging into anything with her back claws. She lashed out somewhat dangerously - trying to bite and claw, etc. I'm not sure what do with her - Any ideas on how to get this done without giving her more stress and giving me more punctures?
I read the "towel" theory - any other tips will be greatly appreciated too!
-Ang
11 Year Old
Egyptian Mau mix
Recently adopted (in October), then moved across country
Lives with 3 people and one other cat (her 7 year old daughter)
Okay, so this should explain a little bit more: I adopted these two cats from a friend. Both can be very loving at times, but obviously the younger of the two has dealt with the stress better. She is always with the family, always purring, always meowing, playing, etc. She's slept on the bed with me since I adopted them both. Bottom line - she's doing great!
HOWEVER - the older gal had a hard time dealing with all of the changes. Part of the reason her previous owner adopted her out is because she is a stressed out kitty as it is - he owns a ton of animals, and the other ones being around seemed to get to her. She would eat too much food too fast and end up spitting up all the time. He wanted her to have a happier, less stressed life as a senior. She can have that with me, she lives in a big house now, no other animals except her daughter. They get along most of the time - sometimes they play, sometimes Mama will let little one know she's had enough fun and whack her. It was only after the cross country move that she started to come out of her shell with me though. Now she'll sit in bed with me while I'm reading, and she likes to get pets. She has some odd aggressive behaviors though. Sometimes with no warning at all - she will lash out, bite and scratch and hiss simultaneously. I usually just regard this behavior with leaving her alone until she comes out and deliberately "asks" for pets. She seems to adore being brushed.
Newest situation though - young one will let me clip her nails without a question. Mama cat will NOT let me even try. The last time she had her nails clipped was at the vet two months ago. I wouldn't even bother but her nails seem unnaturally long and they are starting to grab onto things. She has a lot of scratching posts that she does use, but still the nails seem too long. Yesterday I tried and failed yet again at clipping her. I decided to have some help with it - I tried to hold her still while another person clipped. She actually BARKED. She was growling, screaming, hissing, and digging into anything with her back claws. She lashed out somewhat dangerously - trying to bite and claw, etc. I'm not sure what do with her - Any ideas on how to get this done without giving her more stress and giving me more punctures?
I read the "towel" theory - any other tips will be greatly appreciated too!
-Ang