- Joined
- Jul 18, 2018
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- 24
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Here’s the low down:
I have two cats. Pepper is a 2-4 yr old rescued feral female, spayed. Total doll, feisty, sticks up for her own. Clancey (attack cat) is a 9 yr old rescued male who was found orphaned with his brother along the side of a highway and hand weened up until he attacked his owner so badly, she was hospitalized. She gave him up after approx 6-7 years of owning said cat after the attack. He came to live with a woman who I was living with and had his own room. He had one failed adoption. Upon his return he was moved to the barn (where I worked mostly for this woman) after attacking several people before and after failed adoption (dilated pupils, loud growls/hissing, launching himself at glass windows/doors repeatedly trying to access his target lasting about 10 minutes each episode). Pepper was a feral brought in for his company. Having to work in the barn, I got to know Clancey really well. Very sucky, needy cat who at the time appeared to have these episodes due to too much commotion, new people, new smells, anything new to quickly.
Fast forward 3 yrs I move out and adopt both Pepper and Clancey and build them an epic Catio for their enjoyment off of their very own safe room. My partner is extremely fearful of Clancey thus he lives in that room with his gal pal when my partner is home. I have had no incidents in the 7 months Clancey and his gal pal have been here. We play everyday, he gets walks on a harness outside of the Catio, we high five for treats, I respect his space and body language, allow him to investigate new things slowly and we nap forehead to forehead. I adore him.
I got asked to cat sit two cats for a month. Bad idea and will never do it again, however I have agreed to it and somehow have to survive the month. I have kept everyone separated, fed on opposite sides of the door at the same time, scent swap everyday. Clancey and Pepper are in their safe space with Catio, new cats have access to rest of the house and go in the main bedroom when my cats come out. The problem is I have rocked Clancey’s world with these new cats and despite my efforts he has been exhibiting signs of his past aggressive behaviour. New cats have been here for approx. 2 weeks. No contact besides the small crack at the bottom of the door where you can get a visual. Re directed aggression towards Pepper and myself. Wide big eyes all the time, constantly on edge, pacing his territory repeatedly, stalking Pepper and swatting and hissing with claws. He’s stalked me once and swatted at my leg, when I turned around he was in f you up mode. Fixed stare, forward ears, stiff posture. Tested the waters to confirm my suspicion and put my hand down for him to sniff, he lunged with claws and teeth. I grabbed a blanket and made myself big and politely told him to get lost. Shut myself in the bedroom for about 10 minutes before opening the door again. He was fine. I was devastated that he had slipped back into these mood swings. This was the day before the new cats came too which I thought was weird. Could he have picked up on my stress the day before? Or was there another trigger I was missing. My problem is that I feel like I can’t turn my back on him without potentially getting attacked, or I’m worried the longer the cats are here the more frustrated he is going to get as they are certainly exacerbating the problem. He is not interested in play anymore or treats and I’m worried without that extra stimulation, things are going to escalate. I understand where his behaviour is coming from and I don’t punish him for it either as I know that will only crush our trust further. What can I do for him to help him trust that I have his back?
I’ve done my research on certain products ie feliway, medications, cbd oil. My concern is that those products may help to reduce anxiety but not fully address his behavioural issues. I feel so terrible that I’ve thrown him for a loop with these new cats and just want to continue building trust.
Sorry for the novel
I have two cats. Pepper is a 2-4 yr old rescued feral female, spayed. Total doll, feisty, sticks up for her own. Clancey (attack cat) is a 9 yr old rescued male who was found orphaned with his brother along the side of a highway and hand weened up until he attacked his owner so badly, she was hospitalized. She gave him up after approx 6-7 years of owning said cat after the attack. He came to live with a woman who I was living with and had his own room. He had one failed adoption. Upon his return he was moved to the barn (where I worked mostly for this woman) after attacking several people before and after failed adoption (dilated pupils, loud growls/hissing, launching himself at glass windows/doors repeatedly trying to access his target lasting about 10 minutes each episode). Pepper was a feral brought in for his company. Having to work in the barn, I got to know Clancey really well. Very sucky, needy cat who at the time appeared to have these episodes due to too much commotion, new people, new smells, anything new to quickly.
Fast forward 3 yrs I move out and adopt both Pepper and Clancey and build them an epic Catio for their enjoyment off of their very own safe room. My partner is extremely fearful of Clancey thus he lives in that room with his gal pal when my partner is home. I have had no incidents in the 7 months Clancey and his gal pal have been here. We play everyday, he gets walks on a harness outside of the Catio, we high five for treats, I respect his space and body language, allow him to investigate new things slowly and we nap forehead to forehead. I adore him.
I got asked to cat sit two cats for a month. Bad idea and will never do it again, however I have agreed to it and somehow have to survive the month. I have kept everyone separated, fed on opposite sides of the door at the same time, scent swap everyday. Clancey and Pepper are in their safe space with Catio, new cats have access to rest of the house and go in the main bedroom when my cats come out. The problem is I have rocked Clancey’s world with these new cats and despite my efforts he has been exhibiting signs of his past aggressive behaviour. New cats have been here for approx. 2 weeks. No contact besides the small crack at the bottom of the door where you can get a visual. Re directed aggression towards Pepper and myself. Wide big eyes all the time, constantly on edge, pacing his territory repeatedly, stalking Pepper and swatting and hissing with claws. He’s stalked me once and swatted at my leg, when I turned around he was in f you up mode. Fixed stare, forward ears, stiff posture. Tested the waters to confirm my suspicion and put my hand down for him to sniff, he lunged with claws and teeth. I grabbed a blanket and made myself big and politely told him to get lost. Shut myself in the bedroom for about 10 minutes before opening the door again. He was fine. I was devastated that he had slipped back into these mood swings. This was the day before the new cats came too which I thought was weird. Could he have picked up on my stress the day before? Or was there another trigger I was missing. My problem is that I feel like I can’t turn my back on him without potentially getting attacked, or I’m worried the longer the cats are here the more frustrated he is going to get as they are certainly exacerbating the problem. He is not interested in play anymore or treats and I’m worried without that extra stimulation, things are going to escalate. I understand where his behaviour is coming from and I don’t punish him for it either as I know that will only crush our trust further. What can I do for him to help him trust that I have his back?
I’ve done my research on certain products ie feliway, medications, cbd oil. My concern is that those products may help to reduce anxiety but not fully address his behavioural issues. I feel so terrible that I’ve thrown him for a loop with these new cats and just want to continue building trust.
Sorry for the novel
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