- Joined
- Oct 1, 2018
- Messages
- 60
- Purraise
- 46
Hi everyone!
Before I even start, please only positive responses. I have had some horrible responses before (on cat facebook groups) that have just really hurt me.
Long story short:
-4 year old siamese with a ton of anxiety issues. I have tried everything to help- short of going back on meds. Right now I have been using Zylkene mixed in her food. Was working until this week.
-Husband and I will be starting a family soon. Having a baby around her gives me great anxiety.
-She turns her anxiety into aggression towards house guests (and us when she is feeling extra sassy)
-She is the love of our life. We have committed patience and time to helping her live a great life.
Our vet suggested a second cat that she could bond with (eventually) to help her separation anxiety, and other anxieties before we have children. I feel confident that she will accept this kitten eventually, and it will be really good for her in the long term.
However in the meantime: (it has only been a week)
-She is channeling her anxiety into redirected aggression towards my husband and I (hissing at us, smacking our feet when we walk by)
We are trying to ignore this behavior and to not yelp or yell at her.
-Still wants to be close with us most of the time because of separation anxiety.
-She may have stress induced colitis? Vet told me this. She has had diarrhea and some vomiting this past week. Or could be the large number of treats she has been given to try to make her feel special.
- She is not on any anxiety meds. Wishing that I had put her on some years ago now (but we had issues with this, urine retention and it made her a zombie for the short term she was on them)
-We have taken introduction EXTREMELY slow. The kitten has been locked in separate room until 2 days ago. Not forcing them to be in the same room at all.
Any one with experience on how to correct this redirected aggression?
I know I need to be patient and wait until she accept the kitten on her own terms.
I guess I just need to be reassured that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It makes me so sad that she is feeling this way right now- even though I know she will love having a friend (eventually)
Once again, positive responses only. I am committed to my cats.
Before I even start, please only positive responses. I have had some horrible responses before (on cat facebook groups) that have just really hurt me.
Long story short:
-4 year old siamese with a ton of anxiety issues. I have tried everything to help- short of going back on meds. Right now I have been using Zylkene mixed in her food. Was working until this week.
-Husband and I will be starting a family soon. Having a baby around her gives me great anxiety.
-She turns her anxiety into aggression towards house guests (and us when she is feeling extra sassy)
-She is the love of our life. We have committed patience and time to helping her live a great life.
Our vet suggested a second cat that she could bond with (eventually) to help her separation anxiety, and other anxieties before we have children. I feel confident that she will accept this kitten eventually, and it will be really good for her in the long term.
However in the meantime: (it has only been a week)
-She is channeling her anxiety into redirected aggression towards my husband and I (hissing at us, smacking our feet when we walk by)
We are trying to ignore this behavior and to not yelp or yell at her.
-Still wants to be close with us most of the time because of separation anxiety.
-She may have stress induced colitis? Vet told me this. She has had diarrhea and some vomiting this past week. Or could be the large number of treats she has been given to try to make her feel special.
- She is not on any anxiety meds. Wishing that I had put her on some years ago now (but we had issues with this, urine retention and it made her a zombie for the short term she was on them)
-We have taken introduction EXTREMELY slow. The kitten has been locked in separate room until 2 days ago. Not forcing them to be in the same room at all.
Any one with experience on how to correct this redirected aggression?
I know I need to be patient and wait until she accept the kitten on her own terms.
I guess I just need to be reassured that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It makes me so sad that she is feeling this way right now- even though I know she will love having a friend (eventually)
Once again, positive responses only. I am committed to my cats.