I have re-trained cats, taught them to talk (actually speak words), and made friends with even the nastiest kitties, so why can't I stop my own 2 cats from fighting? Apparently my methods which I normally use are not working. All of the cats I have adopted throughout my life were disadvantaged in one way or another; in other words, I adopt the kitties that are NOT likely to find forever homes. Right now I have two cats. After the passing of my beloved Hershey last June (my best friend for 12 years) I was so lonely without her I decided to adopt a new cat. I called several breeders and many, many Humane Society shelters around the country looking for a dark chocolate (slightly lighter than a sable) Burmese with green eyes, which was what Hershey was. Unfortunately, no one had any. After a month I gave up trying to find a cat that resembled her and decided to get another kitty, breed and looks not important. I adopted a Tortie named Minerva from a local shelter. 24 hours after bringing her home I changed her name to Minja. She was no Greek Goddess - she was one crazy kitty. She screamed all day long. She wanted food in her mouth every second. She jumped all over the counters, tables, dressers, etc. knocking things over and making a mess. She jumped on the stove, even when the flames were on and pots of liquid were boiling. Two weeks of one-on-one training put an end to the bad behavior. I later learned she had been adopted several times and returned because the new guardians couldn't deal with her. Three weeks after coming home with me, getting meals at regular times, lots of love and toys and window perches, she became an entirely different cat. She was an absolutely adorable, affectionate kitty. Everything was great. I had her for about 2 months when I got an e-mail from someone who worked at one of the Humane Society adoption shelters in Denver. She had kept my name on file in case they got a dark brown Burmese in. Well, it turned out that a bunch of Burmese escaped from their breeders and the HSUS had trapped several. One was a dark brown with green eyes, and was being fostered at the time. They asked me if I was still interested in adopting, and I said yes. They explained to me she was feral, and had been fostered for 2 months, and was in a home with other cats. I flew to Denver and back in one day. She had to be sedated to get her in the carrier, and did not tolerate being touched, but was not aggressive. When I got her home, I put her in a separate room with a cat tree, potty, toys and window perch. It took a month for her to realize I was her new guardian and start trusting me. She rubs herself on my legs when I am at the computer, and rolls around and shows off in front of me. She still does not like to be touched, although I have managed to get in several pets without getting bitten, which is her usual reaction to just about everything - biting. Minja was aware of her presence - she would stick her long legs under the door and let the new cat (named Hershey Rose) smell her. After 3 months I opened Hershey Rose's door so the two could actually meet. They met. Minja has a new habit now, which she puts to use every chance she gets. Its called harass Hershey Rose. She will chase her if she tries to come out of her room. If I catch her at it, she gets a time out in the bathroom. She will sit right in the entrance to HR's room and hiss and growl, letting her know she better not come out. They have even gotten into a growling and swatting fight (no one was hurt but Mom was totally pissed off). She has bullied HR so much that the poor kitty (1 year old) sticks her head out the door but won't come out of the room. So now I make sure Minja is confined to the bedroom with me when I go to bed, and HR is free to roam the house in peace at night. The few times she has ventured out into the living room or bedroom, she has been pounced on by Minja. Minja gets another time out. I think at this point Minja knows every single inch of the bathroom by heart - she spends a great deal of her day in time out. I have encouraged Minja to come into HR's room when I am in it, and she has. She sniffed all over and then went for HR who was sleeping in her cube in the cat tree. HR is not aggressive toward Minja unless attacked first. Minja is the instigator. They are equal in size and weight, but I am frightened if they really get into it, Minja is going to get badly hurt as HR is feral and her nails are not clipped, as Minja's are weekly.
Sorry for the extremely long post but wanted to give you the background on the kitties. Minja eats store-bought regular food and kibble, HR is on raw (thanks to the ladies on this list who walked me though it). HR had Feliway in her room up until 3 days ago when I ran out. Her disposition has not changed. I would love to see them both in the same room at the same time without Minja going off like an A-bomb. It has been almost a month now and I am getting tired of chasing Minja around. Does anyone know if they make Prozac for cats? Seriously, can anyone offer any suggestions to this weary mom?
Lei Ann
Sorry for the extremely long post but wanted to give you the background on the kitties. Minja eats store-bought regular food and kibble, HR is on raw (thanks to the ladies on this list who walked me though it). HR had Feliway in her room up until 3 days ago when I ran out. Her disposition has not changed. I would love to see them both in the same room at the same time without Minja going off like an A-bomb. It has been almost a month now and I am getting tired of chasing Minja around. Does anyone know if they make Prozac for cats? Seriously, can anyone offer any suggestions to this weary mom?
Lei Ann