Yes, really. Another kitty update.
Seth lounging on the couch
It’s now been over 10 weeks since we adopted Seth, a 5 year old tabby, and brought him home from the animal shelter.
To be brutally honest, it’s been a lot tougher than I imagined.
Seth has found it hard to settle into a home after 6 months at the pound; and also seems to be stressed by the fact that there is another cat here (despite sharing an enclosure with 3 other cats at the animal shelter).
He even had a bladder infection – had trouble weeing and passing a bit of blood – which required an urgent trip to the vet a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately it turned out to be nothing sinister – just stress! Apparently this is very common in cats – my vet described them as being a bit like Sheldon from “Big Bang Theory” – they stress and just don’t cope if people move their belongings, or there is some change in routine. Yes, really.
All this stress and anxiety means that even though Seth is neutered, he has taken to spraying to mark his territory. Sigh …
I was quite despairing last time I gave an update, because he and Fleur weren’t getting along. Thanks to the tips from you guys, I bought some Feliway spray and although it took a day or two to take effect, it really seemed to help. Plus, I got some great tips from Dr Jo Righetti of Pet Problems Solved.
We were actually at the point of beginning to enjoy being a two-cat family.
Miss Fleur thinks my in tray makes a cosy bed
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Alas, last week I forgot to use the spray two days in a row. This happened to coincide with moving one of the litter trays to a different area.
I’m not sure which of these in particular upset Seth’s applecart, but next thing I knew he was spraying on EVERYTHING. He constantly roamed the house, restless and miaowing, looking for somewhere to unleash his weapon of deadly destruction; one day I think he sprayed or was caught about to spray at least five times! I felt like all I did was clean up cat wee.
I was literally at the end of my tether, and even thought of surrendering him back to the pound – which broke my heart. It must have been bad if this confirmed crazy cat lady had had enough! We started locking him out on the cat patio 24/7, which although gave me (and him) some relief in the short-term (as he doesn’t seem to spray out there), it really wasn’t ideal in the long-term.
Fortunately, after about 3 days of hell, his behaviour settled once again.
The Kitty Chiller
On the upside, Seth and Fleur seem to be getting on okay now, and even play together sometimes.
Both sitting on my desk. Note how Fleur has to be “top cat” 😉
At night time we put them to bed – confining them to the laundry and cat patio – which we have christened the “Kitty Chiller”. If the name seems familiar, it’s because Kitty Chiller was the Australian Chef de Mission at the recent Rio Olympics. Her name amused us, and just seemed incredibly apt for the place where our cats like to hang out and chill – and so it became the Kitty Chiller!
Just chilling in the kitty chiller!
Although Seth originally picked Miss 19 and I as his new owners, he seems to have bonded most of all with Mr 22 – as you can see:
A Cat Named Really
It’s been such a trying time, that we joked that we should give Seth a new name: “Really”!
It felt like every time we turned around he was being naughty, to the point where we would just look at him in exasperation, and say, “Really?!”
Hopefully next time I bring you a kitty update, it will be all good news. Really 😉 .
Linking up with Denyse Whelan Blogs for Life this Week.
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Suzie says
Want to swap “Really” for Wally?
He is driving Mumma Pudding nuts. Wanting to pounce on her a few times as day and chase her around the whole house. They are really getting aggressive towards each other. Our home has sounded like a street full of outdoor cats when its a FULL MOON night of late. Miss Fleurbinator might tolerate this from her biological brother.. ha ha ha
But I think I am over the days of having the cats doing that spraying trick.
When washing their bedding and other things he has sprayed on, including your own clothing. Use Bio Attack. Its the only washing powder which has not got a specific chemical which sets off the cats doing their spraying….. Its expensive but when on special is the right time to buy it. It worked a treat for the few cats I have had in this foster life when I have needed to keep my cool and not return them. Oh yeah, I couldn’t return them as I was their foster carer.. ha ha ha
Don’t use bleach, ammonia etc based products to clean up with or when washing the floors after he has done his spraying. As that sets off the pheromone to make him spray again and again and again. A bottle of Orange or Lime spray from the air freshener section of supermarket will also help deter with the citrus in it. ( I have some of the Bio attack here so can take a photo to show you what to look for as there are so many damn types of powders on the shelves. I get it from Woolworths).
Pepper might deter him if you need to try something new….
Send me a text if you get stuck and I will get in touch with you. Or contact Rebecca, she might have some other suggestions.
Hang in there, he looks like a beautiful boy. Sadly some of these felines are a lot harder to work with. However I am sure he is well worth the effort.
Oh and there is a plug in power point diffuser which apparently helps calm cats. Its what you are using as a spray but its in use 24/7 so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to spray all the time.
http://www.feliway.com/au/ has some good information and suggestions too. (I might need to get one to see if I can stop my 2 from their antics)
Love and hugs from here.
xxx
Janet Camilleri says
Feliway has been worth its weight in gold. I usually clean up with bicarb of soda because it absorbs odours – Miss Fleur can still smell it though because she will have a good ol’ sniff! We have also noticed that Seth needs somebody to accompany him to the litter tray – otherwise he won’t use it. He cries to let us know. It’s like having a toddler in the house!!!
Denyse Whelan Blogs says
My goodness I had “no idea” that cats had some of these issues but it makes sense when I think about. They too have patterns of behaviours learned from experience and via their breeding. You are doing well from my humble perspective (along with little personal experience!) to be welcoming this cat into your life and persevering. Thank you too for joining the first link up on the blog for Life This Week, Janet. Your support is always appreciated. Denyse x
Janet Camilleri says
Us more mature bloggers have gotta stick together Denyse!!!
Maria Parenti-Baldey says
It would not make my day if I had cats spraying everywhere, so I am glad you are getting lots of good tips plus that Feliway spray that appears to be working.
Also I think I saw you on a problogger tweet. Perhaps you could consider sharing something about its value in one of your blogs.
Janet Camilleri says
The Feliway has been worth it’s weight in gold – and regarding Problogger – make sure you check back tomorrow Maria!!!!
Kat aka AnAussieInSF says
Oh wow, that sounds like a really trying time for you and Seth. But I’ll bet he’s happy to be away from the pound and not sharing with three others. He’s so beautiful though. I can see why you chose him. Best of luck with the next few weeks.
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Kat. We have noticed that he needs to be accompanied to the litter tray, like he’s scared to go alone – he cries to let us know – a bit like having a toilet training toddler in the house again!
Vanessa says
It must be hard to taken on another pet when you already have one. We wanted to have two dogs but wouldn’t be able to cope with the rejection if it happened!
Janet Camilleri says
I don’t think I realised just quite how hard it was going to be …
Beth | AlmostPosh.com says
Hahha, every time Kitty Chiller came on TV we’d say “She’s one cool cat”. Coincidentally, as we adopted our cat the same day as the opening ceremony, we named him Rio! He’s settled in okay but has this super annoying habit of jumping up in front of the TV in the evening for some reason and the only solution is booting him out to the laundry. As it’s the time when you just want to chill on the lounge and have him on your lap (maximum cat love time), it’s really annoying!!
Janet Camilleri says
Seth likes to do that too! Not sure what that’s about. Welcome Rio!!!!! Kitty Chiller certainly has an unforgettable name!
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says
Feliway is a godsend! I used it to calm Pebbles down. I’m going to need huge doses of it when I move up the coast next month as I’m not sure how these two are going to cope. Sorry to hear it’s been tough with Seth. 6 months in a pound is not that long…but I guess not knowing his history makes it a lot harder. I do hope we can hear good news soon!