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Post by angel97701 on Aug 5, 2023 20:56:30 GMT
We have two kitties. My cat Coconut has been with the family for 8 years. She is an indoor only kitty and is afraid if she is outside. Tigger is a 9 year old male, front paws declawed and all but incisors teeth removed due to disease.
When we traveled in the past and Coconut stayed with the in-laws and mostly hide. But no issues to speak of during the visits at Tigger's home territory.
In April Tigger came to our home when in-laws moved to MN to a retirement apartment community.
We did not think there would be issues . . . but within a week Coconut was asserting her territory. Orange fur everywhere. We kept them mostly separated and had two feeding areas and two litter boxes. First purchase was hormone collars, and Felicat.
Fast forward to our move to MN. When in the motorhome they did fine. Even shared the kennel when we wanted them contained.
New home established with one litter box. No way to keep them in separated unless one stays in a small bedroom. At first things went well, but in-laws came to visit for 11 days and Tigger hung out in their room.
After they left . . . Tigger and now possibly Coconut as well have been spraying in our new home, basement room. It's been horrible. Purchased "Spray no more" plus cat urine cleaners. Also purchased supplements from Cat Faeries. Nothing seems to help!
Right now the solution is to relegate Tigger to outside as he generally likes it outdoors. That can not be the final solution as we are in northern MN.
Can anyone give me additional advise other than euthanasia? I am really sad that I might need to do this for both kitties, as it has gotten so bad. I was trying to do the right thing as MIL was going to take Tigger to the Humane Society. DS17 didn't want this to happen.
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Post by Zee on Aug 5, 2023 21:05:12 GMT
Taking him to the Humane Society is certainly better than kicking him outside forever or, even worse, euthanasia. They're pretty young cats to be put down  Obviously he feels a certain way about sharing his home and litter box. He's marking what he feels is his territory, and unhappy cats do that. But just to be sure, I'd take him to the vet to rule out any UTI. Do the in-laws have any options to have a cat in their new home? Because it sounds like that's where Tigger wants to be. |
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Post by Neisey on Aug 5, 2023 21:10:14 GMT
Vet visit. Gabapentin was prescribed for my cat who was going outside the litter box due to stress/anxiety. It may help
in your case.
If that doesn’t help it sounds like the cats may need to be in single cat homes. Can you try to re-home one?
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Post by birukitty on Aug 5, 2023 21:18:16 GMT
Cats hate change. Period. Too many changes in too short time. One big change that in my opinion was the last straw was when you took it down to one litter box. I suggest as a first step is to get them their own litter boxes ASAP! Also keep them separated constantly for right now with their own litter boxes. Keep those hormone collars, Felicat ect. going. In fact, you might want to consider a trip to the vet for some kitty prozac.
Then, after some time has passed (like a month or two) slowly, very, very slowly start reintroducing them to each other. I'm talking 5 minutes at a time. Be there the entire time observing both cats and at the first sign of distress or hostility in either cat seperate them again. Gradually increase the time they are together.
They may never like each other. If worse comes to worse and you have to relinquish one of them to the shelter, I'd take Tigger first. Coconut (from my reading) was there first with your family living peacefully with you for 8 years. Why should he/she have to lose their home?
PS I like the above suggestions by Zee and Neisey too.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 5, 2023 21:50:41 GMT
Visit the vet and give it time. They have to learn to live with each other
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Aug 5, 2023 21:58:12 GMT
I am not a cat person. I will pet one when I see one but that is it.
So I am saying this as a huge dog lover, non cat lover...
Do not put your cat outside. Just don't.
Not only are outdoors cats a nuisance for others but wild life!! Outdoor cats will hunt down animals.
On top of that, wild life will hunt them.
They could be ran over.
Like I am sorry but that is not the answer.
Get a second litter box.
Seek vets advice.
Work with the cats. Like don't take the easy way out by shoving the naughty kitty out. Holy poop.
I feel bad for the cats. Who thinks putting an animal down to get rid of the small behavior is okay??!!
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Post by rahnee on Aug 5, 2023 22:43:32 GMT
It's worth checking for a UTI.
But sharing with another cat is a big change. Its possibly stress. I have 8 cats. Our cat family has grown taking on cats that owners have wanted to put to sleep because they just didn't want them anymore or it was too hard. Multiple litter boxes is a good start.As a general rule. They don't like to share. They say one box per cat plus one spare. I have 8 cats. Our cat family has grown taking on cats that owners have wanted to put to sleep because they just didn't want them anymore. There are times where we've had issues but they usually can be worked out.
Putting a cat down because of a small behaviour issue that can be worked out shouldn't be an option.
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Post by chaosisapony on Aug 5, 2023 22:44:43 GMT
Growing up we had a lot of cats. My parents just had a hard time walking away from animals that needed help. Which is how we wound up with a 1300 square foot house with 8 cats in it. Plus a bird, a dog, several mice, etc. Slowly most of the male cats began spraying. My parents tried a lot of things to get it to stop, nothing worked (obviously. We know better now.) So when all of the flooring and a lot of the sheet rock in the house had to be replaced she sectioned off half the backyard and made a cat door from the garage door into the backyard. The cats had the whole (carpeted) garage to keep them safe from the weather and then they had a safe yard to be in. It worked out pretty well. The cats really enjoyed being outside and we'd bring one or two into the house at a time to hang out with us when we could supervise them.
Could you perhaps give them a dedicated, safe part of your yard? A large catio or even a room in the house that could be dedicated just to them? You can also network with a cat rescue to try to find Tigger a home more to his liking. It would be awfully sad for Coconut to lose her family (and possibly her life) for something that she had no say in.
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Post by Zee on Aug 5, 2023 22:54:44 GMT
I should add that I had a cat who demanded to be outdoors by peeing by the front door until we started letting him have outdoor adventures. The indoor peeing stopped. But he came back in every evening for dinner and wasn't allowed out at night.
In winter he seemed to be fine staying in most of the time as he hated cold air, and didn't start peeing again.
I have 5 cats now (4 neutered males, 1 spayed female) and they all get along really well and no one pees outside of the boxes, but each one was introduced as a kitten. Introducing adult cats to each other is more difficult for sure. If Tigger needs a new home that's definitely preferable to putting him down.
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Post by hopemax on Aug 5, 2023 23:12:46 GMT
I agree that this too much change for the kitties all at once.
General rule of thumb is that the number of litter boxes should be # of cats + 1. So there should definitely be 2, and best to have three. Vet visits for both to make sure everybody is healthy and get recommendations.
Jackson Galaxy typical recommendations…
Each cat should have a separate “safe” space in the house, with their own cat bed / windows / trees / “highways” / etc.
Keep the cats separate to establish these places and then slowly reintroduce with positive reinforcement. Treats, toys, loves. Make sure they are more interested in you and what you have then each other.
The people need to interact with each cat, more frequently than what has probably been the routine and in positive ways.
Otherwise Google Jackson Galaxy / My Cat From Hell for other ideas.
And good luck!
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 6, 2023 0:49:24 GMT
Unfortunately spraying around a large carpeted room in a home built in 2022 is not a "small behavior". My husband is more than annoyed!!!! and is the one threatening euthanasia. I am cleaning EVERY.DAY! I will do the 2 litter boxes . . . however they were successfully sharing for several weeks and shared when Coconut visited at Tigger's old home. Tigger is not able to catch wildlife--no claws, it more likely wildlife will get him. We are far from any busy roads, and have seasonal neighbors on only two sides. Woods on the third, lake on the fourth side of our property. I do agree is is a lot of change, but it could not be prevented. Not my first choice to take on Tigger, but he is a sweet kitty. Vet visit will be in the plans soon. Talking to the in-laws again is another. FIL is slowly regressing and MIL was not willing to take care of him, their little dog and Tigger. Since there had not been conflict before we took him in we did not anticipate these extreme issues.
We are more dog lovers than cat lovers here too. But Coconut is "my" kitty!
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Post by Zee on Aug 6, 2023 1:06:33 GMT
Poor Tigger. I hate that he was abandoned because someone didn't want to take care of him (cats need practically no care, and someone could even get him a self cleaning box).
I'm trying not to judge but... I'm judging. The dog is undoubtedly more work but the cat gets dumped.
I wish I could take Tigger in! But since I can't, and since none of you are really feeling the situation, I do think the best option is to rehome him. Also I'd definitely pull up the carpet and put in something easily cleaned, so if the other cat gets to stay she won't be tempted to mark there herself.
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Post by jjpeapea on Aug 6, 2023 1:12:50 GMT
Our cat benefitted from cat antidepressants. The vet will be able to tell you which one is likely to be safest and most effective in your situation. The medicine was temporary - she finally adjusted to our house.
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Post by Laurie on Aug 6, 2023 1:53:37 GMT
When our dd comes home from college during the summer, breaks and sometimes weekends we tend to have slight problems with her cat and our cat. The vet recommended we try Feliway multi cat diffuser. It was delivered today and I am hoping it helps. It is suppose to release pheromones that mother cats emit after birthing that promotes harmony so it helps calm them down.
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Post by greendragonlady on Aug 6, 2023 3:24:21 GMT
I agree with at least 2 litterboxes, and I would try to rehome Tigger if they can't work it out. He definitely shouldn't be let outside because he doesn't have front claws.
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 6, 2023 18:18:26 GMT
From our local animal low-kill shelter website: If your cat or dog is a senior, please do not think they are going to do well in a shelter. These animals have been loved and in a home from the time they were a baby until the time an owner decides to no longer keep them. HART gets calls from people who want to surrender an elderly pet (10 years and up) because they have decided to travel or are moving to an apartment, and various other reasons, and no longer want this pet. This type of surrender will curl up and physically shut down in a shelter. No matter how hard we try to make its life comfortable we can’t. And no one is going to adopt an animal of this age, because unfortunately these animals have health problems such as kidney diseases, bad teeth, joint problems and the list goes on. The owner wants to be assured that their loved pet will find a good home. How can we tell them yes, when they no longer want the pet because it has become an inconvenience for them? It is a tough to find someone who will take this pet on. It can be expensive and also heartbreaking to adopt an old pet. Have the courage to euthanize this pet. Behaviors that HART cannot accept are: Aggression which includes biting, being cage aggressive, attacking other dogs or cats, and destruction of the house. Having a cat that does not use a litter box is another call we receive on a regular bases. This behavior could have a medical reason or it may be behavioral. Healthy cats and kittens that use a litter box can be hard to find good homes for, ones that have bathroom issues are next to impossible.
Looking at 2nd litter boxes. But DH is really opposed to keeping Tigger.
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Post by lainey on Aug 6, 2023 18:49:45 GMT
Declawed cats very often have issues using the litterbox, it hurts their paws because they've been mutilated. I'm trying hard not to be a bitch here but FFS, why is declawing still a thing?
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Post by birukitty on Aug 6, 2023 18:59:02 GMT
Unfortunately spraying around a large carpeted room in a home built in 2022 is not a "small behavior". My husband is more than annoyed!!!! and is the one threatening euthanasia. I am cleaning EVERY.DAY! I will do the 2 litter boxes . . . however they were successfully sharing for several weeks and shared when Coconut visited at Tigger's old home. Tigger is not able to catch wildlife--no claws, it more likely wildlife will get him. We are far from any busy roads, and have seasonal neighbors on only two sides. Woods on the third, lake on the fourth side of our property. I do agree is is a lot of change, but it could not be prevented. Not my first choice to take on Tigger, but he is a sweet kitty. Vet visit will be in the plans soon. Talking to the in-laws again is another. FIL is slowly regressing and MIL was not willing to take care of him, their little dog and Tigger. Since there had not been conflict before we took him in we did not anticipate these extreme issues.
We are more dog lovers than cat lovers here too. But Coconut is "my" kitty!
OMG! I didn't catch this the first time. You are proposing putting a cat who is declawed outdoors to fend for himself? What the heck is the matter with you! Yes I am judging. So you are more dog lovers than cat lovers. So you are in a new house. Obviously things matter to you more than a pet's life at this point. Shaking my head and my heart is breaking for poor Tigger and Coconut. It sounds to me like you've already given up on Tigger and are dead set to euthanize him. Your last post gives all of the reasons why you think this is a good idea. Why even come here and ask for help if your mind was made up in the first place? Have you looked into whether there are no kill shelters in your area? How about other rescue organizations? Are you willing to first take Tigger to a vet to see if he has a UTI that could be causing the spraying issue? Are you willing to try anything at all or are you just ready to march him into a kill shelter and end his life? How on earth do you know he won't be adopted if you take him to a shelter? Do you have a crystal ball? I'd take him in a heartbeat but I have a male cat who is 8 years old, a traditional Siamese and that breed is known for bonding with their owners. If they aren't raised in kittenhood with another cat they don't do well at all with bringing another cat into the house. Poor Tigger. He didn't ask for this and he didn't do anything wrong. |
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Aug 6, 2023 19:16:23 GMT
I find it rather gross that you have found reasons to validate you choosing the euthanize the cat. So wrong.
Our new adopted dog is still working on potty training. Never once have I thought about putting her down over it.
Did I return a foster adopt dog due to aggressive behaviors I couldn't fix and being bit as well as my other dog being harmed and bit? Yes but I was in constant contact with the rescue group and they agreed it was best we take the dog back. After more assessments they said the dog couldn't never be in a multi dog home and must be the only dog due to behaviors.
But my new dog peeing and pooping? It takes time and training and we will get there. But in no way is it a reason to send her to the rainbow Bridge.
Gosh damn...that poor cat. 😢
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bronte10
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by bronte10 on Aug 6, 2023 19:23:34 GMT
I’m going to really try not to sound too judgy and bitchy here, but my goodness! It may be a bit difficult…. Just know that it comes from a place of experience of a multi cat household, and cat advocacy.
After reading all of your posts, I have one question: what did you do to accommodate Tigger when you brought him in? (No snark at all, it’s just really important to know).
You need to start from scratch:
1. Separate them, even if it’s a tiny room, he’ll be happier
2. Do scent exchanges between spaces (swap out cat beds etc)
3. Let him get used to his room for awhile, and then introduce him to the rest of the house without the current resident present… then put him back in his room. Do this in incremental time intervals, increasing as you go
4. Introduction to the current resident should be done in the same manner…. VERY GRADUALLY. Start with a few minutes, then put him back in his room.
I know this all sounds like a lot, but it’s sooooo important! You can’t just throw cats together, and think it will go well or work itself out. That rarely happens even with the sweetest cats. They have needs, and it’s your responsibility to meet them.
Please look up Jackson Galaxy on YouTube, he has lots of videos on how to do this properly
Sending you hugs because I know this is stressful, but I promise you, take a couple of weeks and be diligent, it will make all the difference
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 6, 2023 19:36:41 GMT
So for all of you judgy judgy folks. We have been trying for 5 weeks to correct this behavior with little succes. pantsonfire birukitty Please take your judgemental comments elsewhere. Do you really think that they are helpful? Or are you on a mission to hurt and spread shame?
Are you willing to help and step up and take poor Tigger?
I was not the one who had him de-clawed! MIL was. I was the one to keep him from a high kill shelter. I am trying to do what is best for our entire family!
FYI this is just one of many stressors of the move for me. An adult DS24 with special needs who just started his good first job at 24 after being a homeless drug addict for 3.5 years. . . still lacks social skills. So far job is going well. But very difficult to live with at time "bipolar" comes to mind.
DS17 who is also special needs and needs qualification in a new state for Intellectual and Development Disabilities, also at the SS Federal level as he will be 18 soon. I can't even explain the 40+ hours of phone calls that has been. Enrollment in a new school district, having to provide his IEP myself as his old district has not sent it yet. Even to get him a new doctor in our new town . . . I can't make an appointment for me to go in without him b/c he prefers that I not talk about his disability in front of him, I was denied. We moved to get both sons out of our drug-culture infested state. To give them a new start.
It's not been easy. Our original home has not sold, neither has a seasonal cabin thanks the the current economics of this nation. Finances are very tight. I left my entire family behind, but we are closer to DH's family In-laws moved to same state, as we would not be there to help them. We lived 2 miles away for the last 25 years.
My own recent medical diagnosis. My own smoke allergies are flaring due to the current AQI so physically not feeling well, and spending days inside.
KNOW THAT I AM ALREADY FEELING HORRIBLE ABOUT THIS ENTIRE CAT SITUATION. SO COMMENTING WITH JUDGMENTAL REMARKS IS NOT HELPFUL!!!!
NOTICE MY ![]() ![]() Title SAYS NEED HELP. THE COMMENTS ABOUT ACCLIMATION, TWO LITTER BOXES, A WEBSITE TO VISIT, ETC WERE HELPFUL. Thank you to you kind peas!
I posted the link to my local shelter as they also mentioned it is hard on an animal to leave them in a shelter only to have them euthanized anyway. I had already visited their website before I came asking for positive advice.
For what it's worth we lost our dear Athena dog just over 2 months ago due to twisted stomach, rather than let her suffer more we choose euthanasia in the middle of the night 1700 miles from our original home as we closed on the new home the same day she passed. She is the only dog I've ever owned from the moment of her first breath to her last! She was one of the puppies that we bred as AKC papered GSD puppies.
We are also currently caring for our very senior 13 year-old male German Shepherd. I am getting up in the middle of the night to make sure he can relieve himself. He has several accidents in the home as well. There will be a time when he will with all kindness be euthanized with us by his side, just like Athena and Sable last fall.
I am an animal lover but also a realist that is married to an engineer.
All that to say IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING HELPFUL OR ENCOURAGING, MOVE ON TO ANOTHER THREAD!
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FurryP
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Aug 6, 2023 19:43:09 GMT
Can anyone give me additional advise other than euthanasia? I am really sad that I might need to do this for both kitties, as it has gotten so bad. I was trying to do the right thing as MIL was going to take Tigger to the Humane Society. DS17 didn't want this to happen. Maybe DS17 needs to help with the cleaning? So he learns decisions have consequences and pets are NOT disposable. Honestly, maybe the whole family needs to be reminded. Sorry to be harsh, but it's true. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Aug 6, 2023 19:58:22 GMT
I'm going to bite my tongue when it comes to the euthanasia "solution" but please know the cat will be happier in his own small room than six feet under.
My mother and stepfather have a cat who does not get along at all with their other cats or the neighbours' cats. He's super dominant and quick to lash out with his claws. He's also got no chance of survival at the local shelter since his life support medical treatment is so expensive. They decided to keep him because of his specific medical needs situation. (ETA: He came to them asking for food and roaming the streets as an adult years ago.) He has his own room - the home office so he's not alone all the time when he's there - with a litter box, feeding space (he runs to the office to eat when he comes in from the garden - no feeding elsewhere in the house or outside for him, period), 2 beds and an extra large cat tree by the window from where he can see one side of the garden. It's the side where the cats don't linger so he gets to birdwatch without getting all worked up. It's been years and he still doesn't tolerate the other cats much. They have a system in place now: super dominant kitty gets to go out when the two other cats are napping inside and vice versa. They swap spaces and scents but don't spend time together. When he is free to roam inside and the other two are inside as well, they go nap in the bedroom.
I'd definitely suggest cutting off access to the heavy spray areas of the home, at least to Tigger since Coconut is your established family cat.
It took time to get to this pax romana. They don't actively live together but they can share a home and outside territory without spraying and marking all the time. At first, it was pee galore. Five weeks is nowhere near enough to get cats to tolerate sharing a living space even when they're kept apart but I highly suggest considering allocating a catified room to Tigger. Rehoming him to a family where he'd be the only cat would be ideal in this case but I understand it's not an easy task with the amount of available pets on the foster and adoption "market". It's not his fault. Try to see if you can work out a schedule so he can still have recreational time outside and see if he can adapt to a secluded catified space.
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 6, 2023 19:59:32 GMT
Can anyone give me additional advise other than euthanasia? I am really sad that I might need to do this for both kitties, as it has gotten so bad. I was trying to do the right thing as MIL was going to take Tigger to the Humane Society. DS17 didn't want this to happen. Maybe DS17 needs to help with the cleaning? So he learns decisions have consequences and pets are NOT disposable. Honestly, maybe the whole family needs to be reminded. Sorry to be harsh, but it's true. He and DS24 are helping. DS17 is on the FAS spectrum. |
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 6, 2023 20:01:38 GMT
I'm going to bite my tongue when it comes to the euthanasia "solution" but please know the cat will be happier in his own small room than six feet under. My mother and stepfather have a cat who does not get along at all with their other cats or the neighbours' cats. He's super dominant and quick to lash out with his claws. He's also got no chance of survival at the local shelter since his life support medical treatment is so expensive. They decided to keep him because of his specific medical needs situation. He has his own room - the home office so he's not alone all the time when he's there - with a litter box, feeding space (he runs to the office to eat when he comes in from the garden - no feeding elsewhere in the house or outside for him, period), 2 beds and an extra large cat tree by the window from where he can see one side of the garden. It's the side where the cats don't linger so he gets to birdwatch without getting all worked up. It's been years and he still doesn't tolerate the other cats much. They have a system in place now: super dominant kitty gets to go out when the two other cats are napping inside and vice versa. They swap spaces and scents but don't spend time together. When he is free to roam inside and the other two are inside as well, they go nap in the bedroom. I'd definitely suggest cutting off access to the heavy spray areas of the home, at least to Tigger since Coconut is your established family cat. It took time to get to this pax romana. They don't actively live together but they can share a home and outside territory without spaying and marking all the time. At first, it was pee galore. Five weeks is nowhere near enough to get cats to tolerate sharing a living space even when they're kept apart but I highly suggest considering allocating a catified room to Tigger. Rehoming him to a family where he'd be the only cat would be ideal in this case but I understand it's not an easy task with the amount of available pets on the foster and adoption "market". It's not his fault. Try to see if you can work out a schedule so he can still have recreational time outside and see if he can adapt to a secluded catified separate space. Thank you for your positive comment! |
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FurryP
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Post by FurryP on Aug 6, 2023 20:07:32 GMT
Maybe DS17 needs to help with the cleaning? So he learns decisions have consequences and pets are NOT disposable. Honestly, maybe the whole family needs to be reminded. Sorry to be harsh, but it's true. He and DS24 are helping. DS17 is on the FAS spectrum. Look, I read your last post after I posted, and I am sorry you have so much going on. I get it. But it's not both kitties' fault your family made the decision to take on Tigger when you already have your hands full. I hope you try some of the detailed tips given here and it works out. For reals. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Aug 6, 2023 20:12:37 GMT
My Cat From Hell episodes are available to watch for free on YouTube, angel97701! I totally forgot to suggest these to you but Jackson Galaxy is a kitty guru. I'm not saying you'll get a miracle out of watching these episodes but you should be able to get some suggestions for catification and general behaviour at the very least. Here's one example of a cat rivalry episode: |
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Post by Zee on Aug 6, 2023 21:02:11 GMT
I can't believe that's on that shelter's website. Absolutely awful.
Surely there are more places than that available, or Facebook groups available? I know of many resources or how to find them in my area by reaching out on Facebook. That's not a "humane society" if they euthanize pets for being over ten. For heaven's sakes there are programs that place older pets with older adults! There are fosters for cats awaiting placement that don't do well in shelters. And we have no idea if he'd actually even be upset in his new surroundings, just because he's 8 or 9 doesn't mean he'd just give up living.
I'm married to an engineer also, not sure why that would make any difference. He likes cats as much as I do and would replace all the flooring to make it easy to clean while we worked on the solution. (He's done it)
Try reaching out in animal groups on Facebook, either for rehoming or resources to do so, before giving him a death sentence. Please! It wouldn't take much more of your time than posting here.
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 6, 2023 21:50:33 GMT
He and DS24 are helping. DS17 is on the FAS spectrum. Look, I read your last post after I posted, and I am sorry you have so much going on. I get it. But it's not both kitties' fault your family made the decision to take on Tigger when you already have your hands full. I hope you try some of the detailed tips given here and it works out. For reals. Sometimes the plate fills up after you have taken in a pet. Who would expect our home to be on the market 163 days? We had another showing today, possibly a real buyer? Who knew my health would deteriorate and Canadian smoke would permeate the area for many days in our new state? Even though I did make calls to start to prep for the move for my DS17's transition I had no idea it would be as convoluted or the state would mess up our application, the county did not connect me to the correct department on my first call. Who knew we would lose Athena just 3 weeks after we got Tigger? Life sometimes just throws things at you, and you try to keep as many balls in the air as possible, some end up hitting you on the head!
I am for reals going to try some of the tips given. I've watch the linked video by Jackson Gallaxy, obviously the Cesar Milan of the kitty world.
I can't believe that's on that shelter's website. Absolutely awful. Surely there are more places than that available, or Facebook groups available? I know of many resources or how to find them in my area by reaching out on Facebook. That's not a "humane society" if they euthanize pets for being over ten. For heaven's sakes there are programs that place older pets with older adults! There are fosters for cats awaiting placement that don't do well in shelters. And we have no idea if he'd actually even be upset in his new surroundings, just because he's 8 or 9 doesn't mean he'd just give up living. I'm married to an engineer also, not sure why that would make any difference. He likes cats as much as I do and would replace all the flooring to make it easy to clean while we worked on the solution. (He's done it) Try reaching out in animal groups on Facebook, either for rehoming or resources to do so, before giving him a death sentence. Please! It wouldn't take much more of your time than posting here.
I am researching, we are in a much more rural area with a population of 1/4 of the city we just moved from. There are not as many resources, and since I'm new here I have to research EVERYTHING! But thank you for your comment.
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Post by scrapcat on Aug 6, 2023 22:02:21 GMT
5 weeks is not a long time in cat world. Start over, separate, and go slower, very gradual with the steps of acclimation. If a step doesn’t work, go back to the last one and give more time.
Make sure they have safe spaces, high places to get away, a litter box per cat, clean them regularly, fresh water, their own toys & things they possess (boxes, bags, clothing), etc.
I’ve seen the most recluse & messed up cats come around to loving & content with these steps, & time. TLC & some attention go a ver long way.
In the meantime, try to contact a rescue for placement, many rescues will travel to pick up & help.
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Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant
