3 "boyz" New Aggression Problem

Tobermory

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For all you curious cats, proof of the mysterious WOBBLER....Ring #AlwaysHome
Oh cool! Okay. I say raccoon. It walks like a raccoon, its tail has a raccoon shape, and for one split second, I thought I caught a glimpse of a mask. What say you, tarasgirl06 tarasgirl06 ?
 
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JT'w/3

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I agree with both of you and first blush seems like a no brainer, racoon, but can you see the slender legs and how gingerly it walks over the drainage pipe...very cat like Lol ... you two tarasgirl06 tarasgirl06 and Tobermory Tobermory crack me up...
 
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JT'w/3

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Either way, I've ordered two of the motion sensor water sprayers to scare the WOBBLER off. Should make for some interesting videos. There's just too many darn critters on our land to relocate, trap, get rid of etc. etc. and I don't want to kill anything but their presence and interest in our home is making our "home life" a mess. Still working on getting the fence guy out which should help.
 

tarasgirl06

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I agree with both of you and first blush seems like a no brainer, racoon, but can you see the slender legs and how gingerly it walks over the drainage pipe...very cat like Lol ... you two tarasgirl06 tarasgirl06 and Tobermory Tobermory crack me up...
That makes her more likely to be a raccoon, on both counts, and yes, HER, because--with her girth and that sway, I'm betting she's "in the family way". It's Spring, yunno...
THANK YOU for not wanting to do anything to harm them. The water sprayer should help a lot. I'm glad this is not a cat because I mean! *Who likes a wet cat??? (Least of all a wet cat!)*:flail:
 

Tobermory

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That makes her more likely to be a raccoon, on both counts, and yes, HER, because--with her girth and that sway, I'm betting she's "in the family way". It's Spring, yunno...
THANK YOU for not wanting to do anything to harm them. The water sprayer should help a lot. I'm glad this is not a cat because I mean! *Who likes a wet cat??? (Least of all a wet cat!)*:flail:
There you go, @JT’w/3. Adorable baby raccoons coming your way. :)
 
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JT'w/3

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There you go, @JT’w/3. Adorable baby raccoons coming your way. :)
OMG you two are killing me Tobermory Tobermory and tarasgirl06 tarasgirl06 .... it's the largest WOBBLE animal I've seen yet here in FL, NEVER even thought about the fact that soon we'll have more little critters! Arrrggh...once again thanks for the laughs
 
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JT'w/3

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we didnt figure it out on purpose. we like to get more than one cat in at a time for routine care and over the years I've just seen a pattern. cats had a problem with each other.. went to vet.. no more problem. now we do it on purpose when we see that start up
Thought of you @thefiresidecat today, Ziggy had a bad eye and had to bring him to the vet, almost loaded them all up. He should be fine (just got something in his eye) but on a crazy note, all 3 boyz are sleeping in the same room five feet from each other as I type. It's almost like the other two know he had a tough day? This is the craziest thing ever. I had been working with them all week (with no hissing) and lots of good play time today (before the vet visit) but this is magical! Don't want to jinx it but everyone keep your fingers crossed....:yess:
 

tarasgirl06

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OMG you two are killing me Tobermory Tobermory and tarasgirl06 tarasgirl06 .... it's the largest WOBBLE animal I've seen yet here in FL, NEVER even thought about the fact that soon we'll have more little critters! Arrrggh...once again thanks for the laughs
Very glad Ziggy is okay and sharing your joy in the catpile :cloud9:
As far as the Jolly Wobbler goes, consider yourself honored! We love our raccoons, possums, skunks, rats, mice, birds, bugs, butterflies, spiders, lizards and such here in la-la land, too. They're all rather average in size and they go about their business unimpeded. As for cats, though, in my family we've always prided ourselves on growing 'em big. :crackup:
 

dustydiamond1

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Hello to all! I'm new to this board and I've searched the threads for ideas etc. I'm a mom to three "Boyz" who are struggling to get along after a redirected aggression incident. I've paid both a non-certified "cat specialist" as well as a board certified behaviorist but I have a feeling there's got to be some of you out there who've actually been through this and kept your sanity!

I have 3 "boyz" all neutered ages 17, 7 & 8 that have co-existed lovingly for 7yrs with no aggression issues. For example, while they've always had at least 3,500 sq ft of house to roam, they are always together. They have always chosen to be with one another. Then, suddenly one night in early Jan., they were all looking out a window when something walked by. Ziggy (8yr) hissed which scared Bear (7) yr old who hissed and the most horrifying cat fight broke out. Luckily (Monte 16yr old is a little slower so he didn't really react much).

After working diligently for 4wks we had them all back together with no fighting. We took our time with re-introductions, we did the play with Da Bird "hide, hunt" sequence games, fed together, used screens to separate our house, put Ziggy and Bear on Zylkene, used Plug Ins, ...everything you could imagine. It took us 6 wks until we comfortably left them alone unsupervised together when we left. Seemed that we were in the clear.

Then out of the blue, it happened again, but this time the aggression was a bit more deliberate. We were out on the Lanai (screened pool enclosure) for hours, when suddenly Ziggy bit Bear for no apparent reason. The fight wasn't immediate but it happened shortly thereafter. After separating, it only took about an hour for everyone to calm down and once again "want" to be together. Next day, again out on Lanai, again after about 2 hours of hanging out together, another fight broke out this time started by Bear. Now they are struggling to be together yet they want to be. We have started the re-introduction process once again. Today was a good one, no hissing....several "play" sessions, several "close" encounters without hissing or fighter, some "positive" interactions followed by lots of kibble treats and praiseLol

We've lived in our home for over a year with NO problems but we now have lots of critters (too many to chase away) that seem to be visiting on a more frequent basic. We are in the process of trying to deter all of our visitors (bobcat, fox and one big Stray) with all the usual methods - Cat Away, Ultrasonic Motion sensors etc. but we live on acreage so we might never win the battle. Fencing companies have been contacted but that will take months.

In the meantime, we are struggling to get Ziggy and Bear together (Monte and Bear are ok). After months of no sleep (or sleeping with one eye open) and endless hours spent on working with them we are exhausted, frustrated and are losing hope :( 99% of the people we tell our story too just don't understand? Clearly they've never seen their own "children" fight with a kill or be killed demeanor.

I was wondering if any of you have had success with re-developing and maintaining kitty relationships after an incident like ours. How long did it take? Did you have re-occurences, how many, how long in between? Did you have lots of "setbacks"?

I truly appreciate any thoughts or feedback. Our "Boyz" are our children and our family has been torn apart.

Best,
Jt
:grouphug:
 

Jeanaf

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Thank you for the response and especially your comments about the Zylkene! After being on it for nearly 2 months I felt like Bear was actually getting upset quicker, was more reactive and wasn't feeling well. I brought him to the vet last week for a check up and he's all good. Also I stopped the Zylkene and he went back to normal. Ziggy has always been hyper and to be honest I think the Zylkene might have helped him. He's been off it for 3 days now and seems a bit more sullen, grouchy, reserved etc. so maybe it was working for him? Hard to say. I can't find ANYTHING negative online about Zylkene but I'm so glad you addressed this.

You are right about them being "boyz".... Ziggy is more of a loner but he seemed to always enjoy his wrestling matches with Bear. It used to be all in fun :( Both Ziggy and Bear seem to miss each other but can't quite figure out how to get over what has happened. Not a lot of trust there. Hopefully, with time? We went through this in January but after 6 wks of slow and steady we had them back together. This time things are going so quickly and I'm starting to panic a bit. What if they can't be best buds again....before this all 3 were inseparable!

The Behaviorist seems to think Prozac will do the trick but I'm hoping it won't come to that. I asked the Vet and she said some people are looking for the quick fix and others really need it. Both the Vet and the behaviorists' pets are on meds. I'm willing and able to put in the time to try and "re-condition" just worried I'll do something wrong.

When your guy and gal fought, after the hair stopped flying, what did you do to get them back together?


Hi, I sat here and read all about your babies, I currently have 5. lol, Three of them boys, and two females... There are times when my boys ages 1 1/2yrs -2yrs. pick on my 15yr old female... She's a lot more cranky than they are, but as soon as I see one of them acting like they are going to mess with her. I stop it by calling their name and saying no, in a very firm voice. Usually it will work, and if they continue to move closer, I'll usually clap and they know then I mean business. They usually walk or run away... Then I'll go over and love on them and try to calm down that aggression. A lot of times I think it's for dominance but also just because.. Lol Do you have cat towers they can climb on and play to get out aggression. I bought a very large tower off Ebay, it was extremely cheap, compared to the pet stores, and my group loves it... I noticed they all sleep in the little hammocks and love to scratch on it as well. I make a point to show each one attention. So none feel left out, and for me it has helped calm them down.
Before I would personally put them on a medication, I would change their diet. I know that it can cause a lot of reactions in children, and I'm sure animals as well.. I hope things are going well for you and your have found what works best for you. These silly little monsters are all different, but I don't know what I would do with out any of them...
 
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