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When Summer runs up to the gate...what does Leafy do?I don't feel like we making progress anymore, if anything I feel like things are regressing. Summer is getting worse about trying to attack Leaf through the gate. If she is anywhere close Summer will run up and claw at her, and I have noticed an increase in bushed fur and a hiss or two from Summer.
Does Leafy just sit near the gate...and try and fight Summer back?
There is actually nothing wrong with Summer running at the gate, if Leafy is protected.
At least Summer is getting all her aggression, fear or territorial aggression out of her system.
(As long as Summer is not 'redirecting' her aggression at you or your husband.)
That is excellent.I have been letting Summer explore Leafs bedroom this week, have still been swapping scents, playing and offering treats by the gate to try and reinforce positive.
Does Summer still have a huge reaction to anything with Leafy's Scent on it....like a cat blanket, cat toy, cat brush...sock, t-shirt...all with Leafy's Scent on it.?
Leave it by Summer's food dish...and see any reaction.
Three hours is great.I tried to leave the door open Saturday before last at least most of the day, it was very stressful and I feel like they were getting worse the longer I left it open so I think it ended up being maybe three hours?
But did you have to watch or listen all the time?
Or could you just leave it open...and walk away...and do something else.
Not pay any attention to Summer.
(maybe Summer is acting up....because she is also being watched.)
(Since the gate is a barrier...and offers protection...and if there is no way that either cat could jump across the gate...then why not just leave it open ...after work...and on weekends, too.?)
Does Summer do some sort of loud howling, or vocalizing...every time she is at ...or near the gate?
That would sound stressful...but if Summer eventually walks away...then that would be good.
If you do think that three hours is too long...and that it is stressing Leafy out too much...then just do smaller time increments...and increase them.
It all really depends on how Leafy is being affected.
You are doing absolutely nothing wrong.What am I doing wrong? Is this just never going to happen?
Summer just sounds highly reactive, still, and very territorial.
**You might need to ask your Vet...if putting Summer on some calming medication ...would help her?
Just for the time of these intros.
Ask about Prozac, or Zylkene? Nutricalm liquid, or Composure.
See this thread:
see Post#24...Kitten Introduction to a Sassy Adult Cat - Help!
(And if you do a "advanced Search" ..you can bring up a few more threads, Search Results for Query: prozac for cat)
If you do want to try this route, then ask your Vet about the transdermal prozac, that is rubbed on the ear, or the chewable form:
Fluoxetine Twist-a-Dose Transdermal Gel
Members here, have mentioned using Composure, Zylkene, and gabapentin for various situations, too.
My main concern with medications being used in cats during cat intros...is side effects.
Medications for Cat Behavior Problems: Aggression, Anxiety, and More on MedicineNet
It would still be worth it to ask your Vet about any calming medications, though.
It might really help Summer, short term.
G GHsaltie ...is there any way that you can post a Video....of how Summer acts near the gate?
*As far as uploading videos...see if this explains it:
How To Upload And Add Videos To Your Posts – TheCatSite Articles
It does mention that it needs to be in MP4 format and only 25MB...which is rather short...so they recommend this video file reducer:
Reduce Video File Size Online, Make Video Smaller (MP4, AVI, MOV, MPEG) | VideoSmaller
(which is mentioned in the above Article).
**Mostly I think that members upload their videos onto youtube, giphy, or other outside video sites...and then "embed" the videos into their posts:
Embed videos