Category: Animal House
Hi. So as you know, I lost a kitty, who was so cuddly and lovely. Now, I'm facing a new problem. My other kitty is acting out, and doing things to get into trouble. I know she misses Rachel, but, I'm having a hard time stopping her behavior. I tried the high sounds, and she's still doing stuff I don't want her too. It's just one stupid thing. I have a small counter, and I want her to stay off of it. Amnything else, I can handle.
Any suggestions? PLEASE???
Blessings!
Yeah, there are animals that grieve. I read a book about dogs once and this
person... well, the author took her dog, Nick to see a patient who had
cancer. The boy died hugging Nick and, after they had come out of the
hospital, the dog gave a loud moan and wouldn't get up. Don't know, did you
try contacting your vet about the cat?
Yes, and all she found was a nasty infestation of fleas. We just found out she's knocking stuff down. She's doing a bit better, but I'm still worried. I wish they'd make something for kitties to relax a bit, like they make for people. It's terrible that they don't.
Blessings!
Hi Sarah. I imagine her behavior problems are a mixture of her missing Rachel, (because yes, animals do grieve in their own ways), and her flea infestation. That's got to be miserable for her, so of course she's acting out. What are they doing to treat the fleas?
Actually, they do make stuff for cats to relax. The most common thing is a substance called Feliway. It's the synthetic version of the faramone cats have in the scent glands near their mouths, that they put off when they are happy or content. You can get Feliway in a spray bottle and spray it in places where kitty commonly is. You can also get it as a cartridge you'd put in a diffuser that you plug into the wall. It looks a lot like a Glade Plug-In air freshener, only it puts off the faramone. In either form, its smell is not detectable to humans, so it's not like you're going to be breathing something nasty, but cats notice it. It works wonders for some cats, has no effect on others.
Some people also feed their pets Bock flower remedies. You'd have to look up the instructions for how to do that, how much you give, etc, and I'd certainly talk to your vet before you did it. They make versions of them that are safe for pets. Not all are, because some have alcohol in them, and animals shouldn't have that. Again, I'd do some research and ask your vet. As with the Feliway, I've heard it's very effective for asome cats, not at all for others.
As for keeping kitty off the counter, maybe put tin foil on the space she likes to jump. I've been told cats may like the look of foil because it's shiny, but hate the feeling of it on their paws, and claws if they have them. I've heard it's kind of like us if we scratched our nails down a chalkboard. That's the only suggestion I have.
I still say talk to your vet specifically about the behavior issues, not just about her physical problems. Most vets offer help for unwanted pet behaviors in addition to treating physical ailments. If not your vet, your local humane society should offer help for handling behavioral problems. They know that the number one reason pets are given up to shelters is because of bad behaviors that owners can't deal with, so they're usually pretty willing to help with such issues.
Hope some of that helps.
Actually, Thank you! That's a big help! I think once a long time ago, I heard cats don't like the scent of lemon? Put that on there, and she'd never come back. I think the Feel stuff works. I want to try the plug, because it sounds like it will work. I just have to find her hidy spot.
Blessings! Thanks Bunches!
Hey Sarah, don't know if your still having trouble, but one thing we did for my
cat was give him massages once a day. the extra attention helped him calm
down and realize he's alone but he's still with his humans
Animals definitely grieve. Many of them do anyway.
Rescue Remedy is a Bach flower remedy that a lot of people swear by. The pet-safe version is quite safe for kitty and won't hurt her. It might not help either, honestly, but a tiny bit in her water or something...she won't even taste it, and it may calm her down a little. I've never used it myself but I know a couple of people who have and who swear by it. Anecdotal, of course, but yeah.
Failing that, the pheramone thing Alicia mentioned might be even better, if you can get it. Again, won't hurt her at all, and may help her calm down. Try and give her lots of love and attention in the meantime. She's just not sure where your other girl went and is upset that she's gone, that's all.
I do think animals greeve. Growing up, I had 2 cats named Sammy and Catrina. They were close and played a lot and got along awesomely. Then one day, Catrina suddenly died. At first Sammy was okay, but after he noticed that Catrina hadn't been around for a couple days he would sit on the porch (Trina's spot) and meow for her. His meow was so sad..like a long crying sound. I went outside and pet and talked to him and he still meowed and was turning his head this way and that. I truly think he was looking for her and not finding her he greeved. It was so heartbreaking and yet beautiful at the same time.
As for the counter thing, you could try the tin foil or spray her with water when you catch her doing it. I hope this helps!
Thank you all. She's a bit better, till I leave. I finally promised that when money's not so bloody tight, I'll get her a kitten.
See, she's never been by herself, ever. Either with a mama cat, or Rachel. So, the poor munchkin just gets sad. She does like the toy puppy I got, that dances to Jingle Bells. But, like I told my little beauty, she has to be patient. I try to give her loads of love, and pay attention to her. I think that does help.
Blessings all!
Sarah
Awe and I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your other kitty and yes animals will grieve but some more than others and yes give her lots of extra love and attention as I'm sure you do, smiles.
Has the flea treatment that has been given for the fleas worked? if so you'll sure notice she'll be happy for it and I'm sure her behaviour will differ because animals usually have a reason for acting out which for sure can be worked on and the relationship between you and your pet will be better for it too, smiles.
Wish you all the best and please let us know how she is doing, thanks.
Don't know hwo the flea infestation wasn't noticed! Weren't you itching like mad?
Feliway is expensive and doesn't work on every cat. While it works on many, I've had more success here with a plug in called PetRemedy.
If you want other things to calm her, I'd suggest looking into Beaphor Calming Spot On for Cats, Royal Canin Calm (only if she's eating dry food already), Beaphor Calming Cat Treats and Zylkene. The latter is great but takes time to get into their system. It's a capsule that you need to open and sprinkle the powder inside onto her food.
These are all things which have worked for me to calm down a house full of stroppy, hormonal breeding girls, so if they can work on them, they'll work on anything!
To be honest though, she sounds as though she's not that bad! Jumping up on a counter, if it's the worst thing she does, is nothing really. If you really want her to stay off it, then get a Ssssscat motion detector which will spray a loud puff of air at her when she gets up there, whether you're in the room or not. It's quite effective.
However, I'd ask myself why she's jumping up there. Cats don't do things just to spite you, so you need to examine why. Many cats need high places to sleep. Does she have any where she's allowed to go? A bed on the top of a high scratching post? A shelf? A window perch? If she has none, then you will need to put some up for her. With cats, the best way to avoid behaviour you don't want is to give them what they are craving in a space where you don't mind them being.
nice one and good points you've raised there, smiles.