My Lovely(!) cats

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Jenny T — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:28:31 GMT

Hi,

You have made excellent progress, really good job. This is a great base to work up from. Just continue as you are and the tension between them should continue to ease. Don't try to rush things (eg trying to get them to lie next to each other etc). Remember also that cats, even best buddies, will always have the odd spat at each other, that's just cats for you.

Loved the photos by the way

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:58:37 GMT

Interestingly the coon got a terrible fright today and I found him standing beside a rather bemused looking DSH.

There's still growling and swiping gowing on, but it's not too bad.

Currently the DSH is pinned to my LHS washing and the coonie is over the other side of the sofa, fast asleep.

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:57:35 GMT

that's great news!!! pleased things are going better for you! :)

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:57:30 GMT

They are absolutely beautiful

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:42:11 GMT

Yes I know the DSH is obese!!! He came like that and I can't get weight off him.

They had another spat tonight, but definate progress

We went out and left them and when we came back the Maine Coon had moved further away, but they were still sitting on the sofa together

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:40:35 GMT

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:31:33 GMT

Thanks Jenny, the two biggest things that have made a difference are: Not shouting at them and distracting them. They were sitting together earlier and have eaten together. I'm trying to upload a pic off my phone for you.

It is not sorted by any means, but the UN peace keeping has come on in leaps and bounds

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Jenny T — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:27:14 GMT

That's really good news.

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:20:17 GMT

No, I haven't bought anything yet. It is all behavioural and Feliways.

Thanks Guys :)

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Charlotte says smile — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:06:43 GMT

Is that with zylkene? has it worked that quickly?

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:01:11 GMT

We are having some success :)

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Charlotte says smile — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:55:00 GMT

had a lady in today actually who used zylkene on her cat who absolutley HATED her new kitten and they are now the best of friends and also said its really palatable when capsules opened on food also she notices a massive difference if she misses a day had nothing but good reports, also its not a POM so can be dispensed easily!

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:14:54 GMT

Thank you so much. Fantastic advice. We already have seperate feeding/litter/sleeping etc so it's a case of trying patience and stop shouting at them (neither my strong suit!) I will give it my best shot.

Thanks so much

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

nicky shoult — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:06:10 GMT

Definately try the Zylkene- we had loads of clients use it for fireworks in dogs with fantastic success!

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Jenny T — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:02:54 GMT

Try looking at it this way-

If someone had beaten you up a couple of times, and you couldn't really communicate with them very well (say, they spoke a foreign language), you could be excused for getting worried and defensive if they approached you again!

Once a cat relationship has broken down it can be difficult to repair. A major factor relates to the fact that cats are not a naturally social animal, unlike dogs and humans. This means they do not employ certain behaviours which are very useful in social situations. So your DSH can not show appeasement or submissive behaviours to the Maine coon to reduce aggression (or expected aggression) from it. The worried chap can only really become defensive, fight or run. The problem then escalates because the Maine coon then sees its "friendly" approach being met with aggression from the DSH- so it can then react with defensive or aggressive behaviour, or flight, in return.

To fix this both cats need to first be settled and relaxed in each others company. It sounds like they will stay in the same room together. That's good, but don't try to force them together. Have separate feeding areas, litter trays and sleeping areas throughout the house (I'd say at least 3 of each for now). This will help reduce tension around these valuable resource areas.

If there is any sign of any kind of aggressive behaviour starting, distract immediately. Call 1 of them away, or use a toy to start a game etc. Try not to yell at them though as this will increase tension. It's really important that you do your best to stop these aggressive interactions.

You can also use some feli-friend. Rub a little onto each cat.

Give lots of praise for calm, relaxed behaviours. This will take a bit of time. Just aim to have them relaxed around each other for now. They may never become the playmates they once were, but you never know.

Good luck.

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

Angiy Michael — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:34:11 GMT

Foraging for food may help with some of the hunting instincts..hide their food in treatballs and paper parcels/balls etc., around the house rather than using bowls

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

supamog — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:36:47 GMT

lol mine came hormone-free and they are still a pair of gits! syncronised stalking! they are very good at it! i cant help but watch these cat diary things and think of them!

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:33:21 GMT

he was a lovely coonie kitten prior to getting his hormones.....I feel so guilty :(

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

supamog — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:29:14 GMT

hi, well i have two coonies and unfortunately they LIKE hunting! honestly they are v naughty. they track down the other mogs in the house and round them up! needless to say that when im at work the offenders go in the coonie room otherwise all hell would break loose cos they even do it under my nose just for the fun of it! no very helpful i know but at least yours is not the only one!

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

F1chick — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:56:13 GMT

No, I haven't. I hadn't even heard of it (OMG, I only left practice in March!). I'm off to find some now. Thanks

Re: My Lovely(!) cats

zara — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:17:35 GMT

HAVE YOU TRIED ZYLKENE -

Zylkene is not a drug as such, it is a food supplement made from a protein found in milk. The active ingredient is a peptide (a simple sort of protein molecule) which is able to bind temporarily to certain receptors in the brain. This has a calming influence which is similar in some ways to tranquilliser drugs such as diazepam (“Vallium”), but without the side effects. It has been clinically proven to be effective in dogs and cats (as well as rats and humans). It is supplied in 3 different sizes of capsule, chosen according to the size of the animal to be treated. The capsules are opened and sprinkled on food once daily. The contents seem to taste delicious to most dogs and cats and are easy to give. It is possible to provide treatment for just a few days if it is to cover a particular stressful event, such as travelling away for the weekend. However it is perfectly safe in most situations to give for long periods if needed. Usually a course is given for 2 – 4 weeks then re-assessed. Zylkene is available without prescription and is a safe, natural treatment worth trying for most dogs or cats suffering from stress. It should be used with caution in animals known to be sensitive or allergic to milk, though in fact it is very unlikely to cause trouble even to these animals.