What to do....

[jnorris75]

Hi,
I'm new here, and its a long story, but I will try to shorten it.
We had a male cat (Lando) from Oct-Jan, he sadly had a serious tail pull injury some how when out, and after 5 days in hospital, tail amputation, and was double incontinent post injury, we had to make the very hard decision to say goodbye. I had learned to manually express his bladder, but his pain was too great and there was talk of using fentanyl patches, which I was scared of having children in the house

We missed having a cat around the house, so we then rehomed a rescue female cat (Willow) she's quite nervous, but has gotten better over the weeks, and is an acceptable level of calm, although pretty aloof and only accepts petting when she wants food. I can live with that.

Meanwhile, Lando's breeder told us he had another cat we could have, and she was half ragdoll, half BSH (same ragdoll dad as Lando). So... on the basis that we thought she might be a bit like Lando (dog cat) we rehomed Olivia. Well, she is scared of everything, hid for 10 days, only came out at night to eat and use the litter tray. She is in a room on her own as I wanted to introduce her to Willow with a cautious approach.

She will come out to me now, I'm spending lots of time in the room with my laptop working. We think shes on heat, shes almost lost her voice from meowing, she is incredibly skittish, wont go near my husband. We needed to get her vet checked, so we had the vet come here as there is no way i'd get her into a cat carrier. I can't pick her up at all. When the vet came here, she went mental, running around the room, climbing up the walls, crashed into the window, when the vet managed to get a hand on her she was attacked. I've never seen anything like it, until I looked on youtube!

In your experience, what am I dealing with here? The vet is talking about putting her on gabapentin for anxiety as she's so scared of everything. The vet even commented that 'I wouldnt blame you if you rehomed her' and 'shes a very tricky one'. My brain is going to explode because I don't know what to do for the best, if we are keeping her then we need to have her spayed, and introduce her to Willow and the rest of the house. But I didn't want her to meet Willow until she was vet checked.... I know shes had no vaccines and has been an indoor cat, but I'm still nervous. But as the vet can't even get a hand on her, what should I do.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful.

We have Feliway plug-ins, radio on in the room, webcam in there too so we could see what she was doing when we arent in there etc.

Thanks,

Julie

 

[di and bob]

Everything you describe is normal with a new cat, espeially a female. Females in my experience are usually not nearly as affectionate as males. I would get her spayed now, her hormones play a big part in her emotions too. Get that gabapentin and ask what dose would calm her down enough to get her in a carrier. Put the carrier door up, prop it or have someone hold it, and lower her into it, or better yet get a triangle shaped one that hass the whole side comes down and open, that is what I have and much easier then trying to wrestle them in and out. You take them by the scruff of the neck to calm them, then support their rear, setting them in the carrier then bringing the door up, releasing the scruff when it is just closed enough to get your hand out. The reason I suggest having her spayed now is she will regress in her trust when you bring her in and you might want to get it over with. She will be much calmer. Make sure you mark on the carrier with a marker, Cat is Wild! DO NOT HANDLE! in case she gets loose and hurts herself at the vets. My vet can gas them in the carrier. Make sure when she comes home she has a place to hide and heal. You could also try getting her used to going in a box and setting an open carrier in the doorway quickly to get her to run in it. Or you may need to agt her used to a humane trap, wiring the door up until she is used to eating in it. Make sure you cover it and any carrier with a blanket to calm her.
Cats HATE CHANGE! You are putting them through a lot with the new house, and children too, which are way too noisy and quick in movements. This will change, in this kind of senario it may take 6 months at least to change. But she WILL change as she learns to trust you. We always think they should be like dogs, which live to please humans. Please give her a chnace, remember, she wasn't like this at her other place. Females almost always seem to take longer......

 

[jnorris75]

Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it.
I know we have uprooted her from her sister and other cats, and I also know she needs to learn to trust that we dont want to kill her.

I dont really know what the deal was in her last house, she seemed to be in the kitchen on top of a tall cabinet most of the time, but there were humans in the house obviously. We thought Willow was nervous, this is another level!

I think she wasn't socialised not nearly enough, when I sent the breeder a video of her letting me stroke her he said, that didn't take as long as I thought it would.... She's not aggressive unless someone is trying to catch her. She escaped her room the other day, as my husband left the door ajar, she bolted into the bathroom, he was so worried she would hide somewhere and as we havent yet introduced the cats, he picked her up and she attacked him. And then with the vet... this is new behaviour to me.

We really want to keep her, she's beautiful. My anxiety levels are high because shes so erratic! I'm pinning all my hopes on the gabapentin and then her being spayed soon!! Do you think we should introduce her to the rest of the house and Willow, because I feel it might help her be around us normally, rather than the synthethicness of me spending a couple of hours in her space here and there.

Both Olivia and Willow are around 1 year old for reference, and our daughter is 11, so not a young child, she knows how to behave around the cats appropriately

 

[di and bob]

So, how long have you had her, for a reference. I would start by putting a gate in front of her door, something she can see through to start getting used to your household. I am glad to hear your daughter is older, that will help. I wouldn't let her near the cat until the cat gets used to the household, you wouldn't want her to get hurt. Let the cat approach humans, trying to pick her up, etc. is to her the same as you attacking her. (or planning to) I had cats that took almost a year to finally calm down, but that is rare. it was 3 cats introduced to 3 cats, i didn't think it would ever happen. But it did. Do not stare at her, that is aggressive to a cat. If she hides somewhere in the house, (when youy let her our) let her. she needs the security. I know it doesn't seem so right now, but this WILL work out. It just takes different amounts of time.

 

[jnorris75]

Thank you

We have only had her for 3 weeks, I totally understand its all really really new.

I think the vet coming here and how she reacted freaked me out a bit, I have always had cats and have never had a situation like that, she was wild, and to be honest its not a behaviour I have witnessed with her at home with us, so it totally got me unawares.

I did buy a screen for the door as part of the plan to meet Willow.... its just never really started because I was so worried she was really nervy and I didnt want to upset Willow unnecessarily, I thought Olivia would settle into her room first, but then I think she came into heat so its all a bit messed up

 

[VAMama]

I've had my rescue for 7 weeks and she won't approach me at all. Won't eat or potty unless she's alone. Still hisses when she's disturbed. Before this one, I had a rescue who lived under my bed for a month.

Some cats need months to adjust. I agree with comments above. Adding Willow probably won't help much at the moment.

I'm a little surprised that the vet freaked out. Her level of behavior is totally normal for unsocialized cats. One time we had a cat in the bathroom, small closed space, to get him in a carrier. He was so strong he got away from two of us. He went over the shower curtain rod, landed in the bathtub, and clamped down in the tub behind the curtain. Fangs and claws ready for battle if we tried to dislodge him.
Hubby sat there with a long bloody claw mark streaked down his arm, staring at an angry cat who had claimed our bathtub. It was war! The cat lost, and in the end he fell in love with hubby. He appreciated hubby's calm confident dominance. Hubby was his person.

Go and ahead and get her spayed. Might as well get it over with. However be aware that it will be setback for her attitude. She'll pout for a while. You'll have to rebuild some. Just be patient.

 

[di and bob]

Yeah, you have not had a good start! 3 weeks is nothing in a cats mind, you will have to take it one day at a time. If you look at that vet visit through her eyes, she was taken from everything she knew to a strange place, and then a stranger came in and tried to grab her. She was terrified completely out of her mind. Beyond scared, driven insane for a moment. . My cats do this now when strangers come over, they run as fast as they can to the basement. And yet are scared into submission when taken to the vet. I couldn’t have a vet come here, they would fight too much. Like they fight me for trimming nails, trimming butt hair, etc but let e vet do it at the office. They would climb the walls here too if cornered by a stranger. Calming treats may be a good idea for now, I get them on Amazon. Get Composure or a good brand.
Remember too, when introducing, growling, hissing, swatting are all normal, outright attacks that draw blood are not.
Coming into heat does change them, they settle down a lot after spaying!

 

[jnorris75]

VAMama - wow! Thats dedication there, and look at me worrying!

See current Olivia position attached, literally chilled and I'm sat next to her.

I feel better about the situation after having your support. So thank you. I look for those Composure treats, I dont think I can get them in the UK, I'll check out the ingredients and see if I can find something of the same make up.

The drugs are arriving today, so will see how the low dose of that pans out. But I'm keen to get her spayed, as the hormones are likely affecting her. At least, even though that will set her back for a bit, long term you'll actually see the cat without the hormone imbalance. Can't wait for my 11 year old to hit puberty... hopefully she wont attack vets ;-)

 

[di and bob]

She is beautiful! She just doesn’t realize yet what a home and what love she has yet!

 

[jnorris75]

She really is You'd never guess she would turn nuclear would you!

 

[VAMama]

Aww she's precious! Look at her playing!

 

[di and bob]

no, she looks pretty laid back! It is amazing how quick tehy acn change though!

 

[jnorris75]

no, she looks pretty laid back! It is amazing how quick tehy acn change though!

Isn’t it just. I think I’m in shock from the difference. Don’t get me wrong she hides quite often, and isn’t that keen on my husband, but she’s got much better with me and our daughter. So the vet incident was really surprising! And set me back with my thought process of the chain for future events, venturing out of safe room, meeting willow, vaccines, spaying, etc

 

[KittyCat_chitchat]

Personally, I would get Olivia spayed before you introduce them, otherwise she might get territorial when she senses another female cat. Fewer hormones in the air would make for a smoother introduction, I'd imagine. Of course, it all depends on your circumstances, but just a suggestion.

 

[jnorris75]

Well... the gabapentin doesnt agree with her, she's been randomly vomiting since starting it on Saturday, so back to the drawing board.... Does anyone have any suggestions to help Olivia with her fear without the use of drugs?

 

[VAMama]

There are other medical options for cat anxiety. Your vet should have more ideas.

 

[Alldara]

Thank you

We have only had her for 3 weeks, I totally understand its all really really new.

I think the vet coming here and how she reacted freaked me out a bit, I have always had cats and have never had a situation like that, she was wild, and to be honest its not a behaviour I have witnessed with her at home with us, so it totally got me unawares.

I did buy a screen for the door as part of the plan to meet Willow.... its just never really started because I was so worried she was really nervy and I didnt want to upset Willow unnecessarily, I thought Olivia would settle into her room first, but then I think she came into heat so its all a bit messed up

Well. Last time someone came to her home they abducted her to a new strange place! Who knows (in her eyes) where the vet could take her!

We have to think of the things that happen through a cat's lense. Not the human lense of knowing what's happening in advance.

Patience and time.

If people can sit in the room and read to her or watch tv in the room with her, that would be great. You can try playing some music and cat calming music to help her not be jumpy to every small sound.

 

[jnorris75]

Well. Last time someone came to her home they abducted her to a new strange place! Who knows (in her eyes) where the vet could take her!

We have to think of the things that happen through a cat's lense. Not the human lense of knowing what's happening in advance.

Patience and time.

If people can sit in the room and read to her or watch tv in the room with her, that would be great. You can try playing some music and cat calming music to help her not be jumpy to every small sound.

She's actually much better with me, she will come over onto the sofa for strokes, and wander around, and will play chase. I opened the door for half an hour earlier to the hallway (with the resident cat closed off) and she wasn't very happy about the door being open, she had eyes on it all the time, did venture out for a few seconds all short limbed and crouched, then ran back in. She did hear Willow meow and she was quietly replying, bless her.

 

[KittyCat_chitchat]

Good update! She's getting comfortable with you, and answering Willow's meow, as long as it wasn't too sweary, might also be a positive sign.

 

[jnorris75]

Hi,

I need some help reading what to do with the two cats introduction.

I put a screen up on one of the doorways, new cat Olivia is very excited, tail quivvering and meowing nicely, not angrily, but quite loud LOL.
Resident cat Willow (who is actually only a resident for two months.... went to investigate then moved to under a chair, no meowing.

How do I read this situation / move forward? Is Olivia going to annoy Willow?

Thanks for reading!

Julie

I think Olivia likes cats more than people.... and Willow, well she isnt that keen on either possibly!
The issue I have I think with this step is that Olivia is not particularly food motivated, but Willow is, so I could probably feed Willow a churo, but Olivia likely wouldn't quieten down because shes so pleased to see a cat.