CatieB Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I know some people would be dismayed at the suggestion so if so please dont read on, but would it be kinder? We have 4 cats, 1 dog and two chickens. In relation to the cats we have old man Thomas, who is 14ish in declining health and has little to do with us, he mainly is an outside cat. Because of this we rehomed brother and sister kittens from a rescue centre about two and half years ago. The boy Bonkers whilst he has the most gorgeous temperament, rarely comes in but is perfectly happy out hunting in our rural setting. The girl fifi is not happy.... Since we got our 4th cat Inca (posh pedigree for my 40th got 18 months ago) and subsequently our puppy (6 months ago), fifi with hindsight has become more and more unhappy. I've tried really hard now for probably a year to integrate her and make a fuss of her. I have previously posted about problems finding cat wee in various places and we are now sure it is her. I'm talking in the corner of my bedroom, on my kitchen work top (on the electrical plugs) and more recently against my front door (on the outside) These incidents are not often enough to be health related (and she looks very healthy) , we think they just indicate an unhappy cat. When she does come in she ALWAYS hides somewhere so no interaction but more importantly we cant find her, risking her getting locked in - which happened once when we went away overnight or more often her disturbing us in the middle of the night as she is locked in somewhere or wants to go out. I cant help but think she would be happier as a single cat or in a less mad home. Has anyone been in a similar position and felt rehoming was the answer? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Don't beat yourself up, If she was fine before you got the fourth cat you weren't to know she would react - She probably likes to be the only female. It sounds like you have tried to make peace, Have you tried the Feliway plug ins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Thank you so much for the nice reply, very perceptive as it does make you feel horrible. I had never considered it to be a female thing but I think you are right. I believe she is fine to the other two cats (well she ignores them anyway) I notice you have foggy, Inca is a BSH silver tabby too and it probably doesnt help that she is around the house SO much; a real home girl never far away. Fifi just skulks around now all the time and its really hard to make happy even when you fuss her. Mostly she sneaks in without anyone realising. I had ruled out Feliway given the expense and the fact that whilst we dont live in a mansion it is a relatively big house with no logical place for the plug in given her skulking /hiding traits unless we did every room and cupboard I dont think a brief fly past would give her many positive vibes!!! I was going to ask about rehoming tips but have realised that where we got her from made us sign a contract to say she belongs to them forever and has to go back if any problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I thought about this with my one of my cats who never seemed to get along with the others particularly, was isolated and always very nervous. We moved home a couple of times in between. It's 3 years now and she is still the loner but she is happy enough, the occasional standoff but nothing much. None of the 3 are related and I got them all at different times as kittens. 2 of them got along fine and she just didn't get along really. But she is happy to be affectionate with me, we have a bond and she is relaxed with me although scared of most other things and people. It sounds like your cat has had to deal with a lot of changes and I've noticed with mine as each year has gone by that she has got more relaxed and a little more confident in different situations. I have used feliway and I think it worked with my cats at time of stress. You can get a feliway spray which maybe you could spray where she sleeps more regularly? If you think your cat is unhappy then maybe rehoming might be an option. I'm glad with mine it was just a passing thought though, as I see she is happy, just a different personality and it has taken a long time and she is still skittish and a loner. But she has never had a weeing in the house issue. You need to do what you feel is right for you and for your cats well being. Sorry for rambling on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Thanks Gertie not a rambling at all. The problem is I dont see any signs of happiness. Her brother by contrast we rarely see (mainly hunting in the distance) but he is clearly in his element. I have to go out of my way to find her and fuss her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 You could contact the Rescue center you got them from and see what they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Aws, that's a shame. If she is getting progressively more unhappy then I guess it could be the circumstances rather than her personality. You could also look on the FAB website as they have an advice page where you can ask questions. Or maybe your vet might have some advice too. Good luck with it, whatever you decide to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I hate to say it but if Inca was the one to cause the change in the household then I'd consider rehoming her She has a chance of a better new home via a breed specific rescue centre than your average moggy too It seems a shame to penalise Fifi for something that isnt her fault especially if she was previously a loving happy pet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I have to agree with Redwing, it was the newbie that caused her upset, and the newbie has a better chance of finding a new home as a breed. One thing you can try before going down the rehoming route is Zykline, it is a destresser that you can try on her feed, others have had success using it when they have been integration problems. Bach rescue remedy added to water can also be helpful. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 I hate to say it but if Inca was the one to cause the change in the household then I'd consider rehoming her She has a chance of a better new home via a breed specific rescue centre than your average moggy too It seems a shame to penalise Fifi for something that isnt her fault especially if she was previously a loving happy pet I'm afraid that the problem isnt just Inca. Fifi doesn't integrate with any of them whereas the rest do integrate with each other. Inca and our dog have a beautiful love in (think they believe they are a couple so much so that hubby says he's going to post their behaviour on youtube) so if we did get rid of Inca there would no guarantee anything would change. In hindsight Fifi has never been identifiably happy and she most definately dislikes the dog. The signs I see indicate she would be happier alone rather than another animal being a specific problem. Interestingly a nurse at the vets was telling me she had read an article about problems in adult cats that were hand reared (she was). What is Zykline and where do you get it from. I know of Bach rescue remedy but any suggestions on dosage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I have a similar problem.We moved last August form London to a village and Ellie has not been out since. I have another cat Archie who loves to go for a wonder outside. They do get on well and cuddle up and play even though I rehomed them at different times. The problem is at our old house Ellie was able to go into our attic bedroom if she needed peace when we had visitors. Our new home only has the normal 2 floors and every time the door bell rings or we have workman in she hides under our duvet. Infact that is where she spends most of her time. She also wets which is the bigest problem. I know it is stress related but it is still a problem. I look a sight crawling around on my hands and knees feeling the carpet. I do have dirt trays for them. I know she would be happier in a peacefull home but the two cats adore each other. I now put her in the concervatory at night and this has helped a little. I feel for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 You can get Zykline from your vets, it's a anti-anxiety medication (like feliway but edible). With Bach rescue remedy one drop in a bowl of water should be fine. I have been known to put about 10 drops in a water fountain when needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 You can get Zykline from your vets, it's a anti-anxiety medication (like feliway but edible). With Bach rescue remedy one drop in a bowl of water should be fine. I have been known to put about 10 drops in a water fountain when needed. Hi Space Chick I googled Zykline but I couldn't find it. Is it expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I've used Zylkene before when i used to have cats and found it very good. There is a trial pack here of 10 for £2.88 if you want to try it http://www.bestpet.co.uk/detailed_product.asp?id=70062 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Thanks Claire for posting that link, and apologies to Chick Shack for my shocking spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Thanks Claire for posting that link, and apologies to Chick Shack for my shocking spelling No problen Space Chick. Normaly if you spell something wrong on google it corrects it, however not this time. You out witted google. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
