It's Caturday- Post some cats (vol 3)
Discussion
Rosie is femail, the name kind of gives it away, and very affectinate, curently sat on my desk as I type this accepting the occasinal cuddle.
french connection_003 by MBBlat, on Flickr
french connection_003 by MBBlat, on Flickr
Hi Guys
Appreciate some advice please! It's been 8 weeks since we bought Dexter home from the shelter and there's a few behavioural concerns.
Firstly, he is SO vocal for attention that you can't do anything without the non stop bleating. Watch a film? Read a book? Go and do something upstairs? Forget about it! We absolutely love him to bits but I went to a friend's the other night who has two cats, both of which were very quiet all evening and it really made me realise how an almost constant loud whine has become normal background noise! It was so nice having a couple of hours peace!!
Also, he's still having regular run ins with the cat in the next garden to us. This cat is not neutered and initially we were really worried because we thought he'd be very aggressive etc, however I'm starting to worry that Dexter is the aggressor! He seems to go looking for him, deliberately up on the fence that joins the properties 'looking' down and around for him...it's like he's wanting trouble!
Also since he's started going out (3 weeks now) he's been notably more aggressive with us when we try and give him a fuss and attention, sometimes he'll lap it up for an hour purring away and other times you're really taking your life in your hands putting your hands anywhere near him. There seems to be no consistency at all in his behaviour. When we first got him he would just want fuss all the time and would never scratch or bite, and now it's 50/50 as to whether you're going to get hurt! Yet if you even think about disappearing upstairs for 10 minutes you'll hear non stop whining!
Is this typical? Should I be worrying about any potential underlying concerns, is it worth speaking to a vet about it?
Appreciate some advice please! It's been 8 weeks since we bought Dexter home from the shelter and there's a few behavioural concerns.
Firstly, he is SO vocal for attention that you can't do anything without the non stop bleating. Watch a film? Read a book? Go and do something upstairs? Forget about it! We absolutely love him to bits but I went to a friend's the other night who has two cats, both of which were very quiet all evening and it really made me realise how an almost constant loud whine has become normal background noise! It was so nice having a couple of hours peace!!
Also, he's still having regular run ins with the cat in the next garden to us. This cat is not neutered and initially we were really worried because we thought he'd be very aggressive etc, however I'm starting to worry that Dexter is the aggressor! He seems to go looking for him, deliberately up on the fence that joins the properties 'looking' down and around for him...it's like he's wanting trouble!
Also since he's started going out (3 weeks now) he's been notably more aggressive with us when we try and give him a fuss and attention, sometimes he'll lap it up for an hour purring away and other times you're really taking your life in your hands putting your hands anywhere near him. There seems to be no consistency at all in his behaviour. When we first got him he would just want fuss all the time and would never scratch or bite, and now it's 50/50 as to whether you're going to get hurt! Yet if you even think about disappearing upstairs for 10 minutes you'll hear non stop whining!
Is this typical? Should I be worrying about any potential underlying concerns, is it worth speaking to a vet about it?
You may be starting to discover the reasons he was in a rescue centre in the first place...
However, it's more likely that he's just finding his feet and settling in. They often get quitter as they find their way around the whole new outside world he's now exploring. He will be establishing a pecking order with other local cats.
However, it's more likely that he's just finding his feet and settling in. They often get quitter as they find their way around the whole new outside world he's now exploring. He will be establishing a pecking order with other local cats.
zarjaz1991 said:
You may be starting to discover the reasons he was in a rescue centre in the first place...
However, it's more likely that he's just finding his feet and settling in. They often get quitter as they find their way around the whole new outside world he's now exploring. He will be establishing a pecking order with other local cats.
He was a stray. He's three y/o but he was only neutered in March of this year so I wonder if it's also related to his hormones as a result of that. As you say hopefully he'll quieten and settle down more over time. The thing is when he does settle down he's a proper sweetheart, he will lie on his back in your lap, purr away and happily have as much fuss as you can give him. However, it's more likely that he's just finding his feet and settling in. They often get quitter as they find their way around the whole new outside world he's now exploring. He will be establishing a pecking order with other local cats.
BRISTOL86 said:
He was a stray. He's three y/o but he was only neutered in March of this year so I wonder if it's also related to his hormones as a result of that. As you say hopefully he'll quieten and settle down more over time. The thing is when he does settle down he's a proper sweetheart, he will lie on his back in your lap, purr away and happily have as much fuss as you can give him.
They do settle down. He may always be a bit shouty...some cats are...but at the moment things are still a bit traumatic for him. Having just moved into his new house, he's now faced with a whole new world outside the door, with cats he's never seen before, and a myriad of new scents. He will need to spend some time In short, just give him time, he'll settle in.
zarjaz1991 said:
BRISTOL86 said:
He was a stray. He's three y/o but he was only neutered in March of this year so I wonder if it's also related to his hormones as a result of that. As you say hopefully he'll quieten and settle down more over time. The thing is when he does settle down he's a proper sweetheart, he will lie on his back in your lap, purr away and happily have as much fuss as you can give him.
They do settle down. He may always be a bit shouty...some cats are...but at the moment things are still a bit traumatic for him. Having just moved into his new house, he's now faced with a whole new world outside the door, with cats he's never seen before, and a myriad of new scents. He will need to spend some time In short, just give him time, he'll settle in.
zarjaz1991 said:
BRISTOL86 said:
He was a stray. He's three y/o but he was only neutered in March of this year so I wonder if it's also related to his hormones as a result of that. As you say hopefully he'll quieten and settle down more over time. The thing is when he does settle down he's a proper sweetheart, he will lie on his back in your lap, purr away and happily have as much fuss as you can give him.
They do settle down. He may always be a bit shouty...some cats are...but at the moment things are still a bit traumatic for him. Having just moved into his new house, he's now faced with a whole new world outside the door, with cats he's never seen before, and a myriad of new scents. He will need to spend some time In short, just give him time, he'll settle in.
BRISTOL86 said:
He was a stray. He's three y/o but he was only neutered in March of this year so I wonder if it's also related to his hormones as a result of that. As you say hopefully he'll quieten and settle down more over time. The thing is when he does settle down he's a proper sweetheart, he will lie on his back in your lap, purr away and happily have as much fuss as you can give him.
Actively playing with him and completely knackering him out getting him to chase laser pointers, feathers on string, cork on a long piece of string etc may help with the 'Begbie' tendencies. Our shy ones and the outgoing ones all respond very well to play sessions with the shy ones becoming more outgoing and the boisterous ones less 'on it' all the time.Play then food then fuss is the right order as this mimics the hunt, eat, groom instincts.
He is lovely and still young cat, so I am sure with a bit of the right stimulation at the right time, he will start to chill a bit.
One of our cats we have had a since she was a kitten. She sometimes wants fuss, other times she will bite you. No real sense to it, other than the signs become easier to read.
I think it is possible to "over-fuss" a cat. I used to have one that would lap up attention. She's get more and more purry, and push herself harder into your hand. She would be absolutely loving it. Then she'd snap and attack you. Afterwards she'd look a bit embarrassed - sort of "did I really do that?".
I think it is possible to "over-fuss" a cat. I used to have one that would lap up attention. She's get more and more purry, and push herself harder into your hand. She would be absolutely loving it. Then she'd snap and attack you. Afterwards she'd look a bit embarrassed - sort of "did I really do that?".
Re Dexter - all of the above applies, time, finding his feet, etc. If he's been a stray for long he's had to fight to survive. That has become second nature to him. Give him lots of active toys. Hide treats so he has to work and hunt for them.
What are you feeding him? Apparently a higher meat content drive reduces the desire to hunt/attack.
What are you feeding him? Apparently a higher meat content drive reduces the desire to hunt/attack.
Not sure that this is the right place for it, but......
One of ours has recently vanished. She's a two-year old Siberian, who goes by the name of Gosia. Vanished in South Shropshire without any trace. No-one in the village has seen / heard anything. We have a feeling she may have been 'lifted'. A couple of pics:
If you do happen to see someone who's recently acquired a cat like this, would really appreciate a PM!!
One of ours has recently vanished. She's a two-year old Siberian, who goes by the name of Gosia. Vanished in South Shropshire without any trace. No-one in the village has seen / heard anything. We have a feeling she may have been 'lifted'. A couple of pics:
If you do happen to see someone who's recently acquired a cat like this, would really appreciate a PM!!
DavidJG said:
Not sure that this is the right place for it, but......
One of ours has recently vanished. She's a two-year old Siberian, who goes by the name of Gosia. Vanished in South Shropshire without any trace. No-one in the village has seen / heard anything. We have a feeling she may have been 'lifted'. A couple of pics:
If you do happen to see someone who's recently acquired a cat like this, would really appreciate a PM!!
Thats terrible i hope you find herOne of ours has recently vanished. She's a two-year old Siberian, who goes by the name of Gosia. Vanished in South Shropshire without any trace. No-one in the village has seen / heard anything. We have a feeling she may have been 'lifted'. A couple of pics:
If you do happen to see someone who's recently acquired a cat like this, would really appreciate a PM!!
but its also part of the reason our 2 coonies are house cats
Thanks for the advice guys. Sure things will settle down nicely in time
Gretchen said:
Re Dexter - all of the above applies, time, finding his feet, etc. If he's been a stray for long he's had to fight to survive. That has become second nature to him. Give him lots of active toys. Hide treats so he has to work and hunt for them.
What are you feeding him? Apparently a higher meat content drive reduces the desire to hunt/attack.
He's on Gourmet Perle wet and James Wellbeloved dry. What are you feeding him? Apparently a higher meat content drive reduces the desire to hunt/attack.
DavidJG said:
Not sure that this is the right place for it, but......
One of ours has recently vanished. She's a two-year old Siberian, who goes by the name of Gosia. Vanished in South Shropshire without any trace. No-one in the village has seen / heard anything. We have a feeling she may have been 'lifted'. A couple of pics:
If you do happen to see someone who's recently acquired a cat like this, would really appreciate a PM!!
Hope you recover her One of ours has recently vanished. She's a two-year old Siberian, who goes by the name of Gosia. Vanished in South Shropshire without any trace. No-one in the village has seen / heard anything. We have a feeling she may have been 'lifted'. A couple of pics:
If you do happen to see someone who's recently acquired a cat like this, would really appreciate a PM!!
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