- Joined
- Jan 4, 2020
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- Purraise
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We currently have a 10 year old female cat named Annie. She is petite and deaf and got along well with her two kitty 'brothers' until they passed away; one of cancer, a few years back - the other of kidney disease this past July. Annie has seemed more withdrawn since being an only cat and she really took cues as to what to do from seeing what they did since she cannot hear.
Enter Turk - a big and poofy male cat who is also 10 years old. I took him in because I knew something about treating feline diabetes and thought I could help him and maybe give Annie a companion. To humans he's sweet floofy lap cat. He made himself at home right away. I sensed no fear from him with being in a new place. He's from a foster home as he was given up because his owner went into a nursing home. I know nothing about if he's been with other cats or not. We've had him at the house a little over a week now. I guess I've been lucky until now because the cats I've had and adopted all got along quickly. This one is proving to be a tricky situation.
With Annie and Turk, they initially hissed and growled at each other through the bedroom door I had Turk behind. Then they were ok with that. I've switched them back and forth so they can investigate each other's territories. They seemed ok with being around each other through a baby gate. This stage didn't last too long though because Annie decided she was going to try to shove herself through the gate bars and almost get stuck.
We went to supervised visits together which went ok until we had a bad experience where the cats got away from us and Turk ran up to Annie under a table and I couldn't see what exactly happened but Annie freaked out. Since then she just curls up and lays down whenever Turk is near. Turk always seems to need to be near her in some way. He won't leave her alone. He doesn't seem to be showing aggressive posture and Annie is the one to growl first when he's too close - not like Annie would hear him anyway if he did it first. We break them up when one gets vocal. We reward and praise them both when they are near each other and being good.
I just can't figure out if Turk is stalking Annie because he wants a friend or if he's trying to assert some dominance? He always goes up to her so slowly around us but if he sees a loophole where he can get to her without us interfering - zoom - he's right there. He's slipped through a door like that. I can't tell if he's striking or doing anything to her because it all happens so fast and just out of sight. Thus far Annie has gotten through unscathed so maybe it's her just flipping out cause she wasn't expecting him and hasn't accepted him fully yet?
They will use each other's things and be ok with it, despite having all their own stuff so I don't think scent is a problem.
Is there a way I can redirect Turks stalking behavior? Annie acts ok with him around and free if he would just give her some space. I've went back to having them be in separate rooms doors shut again to start over. Unfortunately, I have a very small house and there's not many places to have them separated. Whatever cat doing time in the bedroom is bored and wants out. Having them take shifts helps.
I know I haven't been at this long but would welcome any advice! Thanks!
Enter Turk - a big and poofy male cat who is also 10 years old. I took him in because I knew something about treating feline diabetes and thought I could help him and maybe give Annie a companion. To humans he's sweet floofy lap cat. He made himself at home right away. I sensed no fear from him with being in a new place. He's from a foster home as he was given up because his owner went into a nursing home. I know nothing about if he's been with other cats or not. We've had him at the house a little over a week now. I guess I've been lucky until now because the cats I've had and adopted all got along quickly. This one is proving to be a tricky situation.
With Annie and Turk, they initially hissed and growled at each other through the bedroom door I had Turk behind. Then they were ok with that. I've switched them back and forth so they can investigate each other's territories. They seemed ok with being around each other through a baby gate. This stage didn't last too long though because Annie decided she was going to try to shove herself through the gate bars and almost get stuck.
We went to supervised visits together which went ok until we had a bad experience where the cats got away from us and Turk ran up to Annie under a table and I couldn't see what exactly happened but Annie freaked out. Since then she just curls up and lays down whenever Turk is near. Turk always seems to need to be near her in some way. He won't leave her alone. He doesn't seem to be showing aggressive posture and Annie is the one to growl first when he's too close - not like Annie would hear him anyway if he did it first. We break them up when one gets vocal. We reward and praise them both when they are near each other and being good.
I just can't figure out if Turk is stalking Annie because he wants a friend or if he's trying to assert some dominance? He always goes up to her so slowly around us but if he sees a loophole where he can get to her without us interfering - zoom - he's right there. He's slipped through a door like that. I can't tell if he's striking or doing anything to her because it all happens so fast and just out of sight. Thus far Annie has gotten through unscathed so maybe it's her just flipping out cause she wasn't expecting him and hasn't accepted him fully yet?
They will use each other's things and be ok with it, despite having all their own stuff so I don't think scent is a problem.
Is there a way I can redirect Turks stalking behavior? Annie acts ok with him around and free if he would just give her some space. I've went back to having them be in separate rooms doors shut again to start over. Unfortunately, I have a very small house and there's not many places to have them separated. Whatever cat doing time in the bedroom is bored and wants out. Having them take shifts helps.
I know I haven't been at this long but would welcome any advice! Thanks!
This is progress though because normally she'd be shrieking if he was this close. 
