Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Aunty e]

We (probably unwisely I know) rescued another cat about a week ago. She's an egyptian mau who had been kept in a shed for six months by unscrupulous breeders, and ill-fed, so she had never come into season and was scrawny, filthy and flea-ridden. I brought her home, and she is very nervous, likes humans, but terrified of other cats. Over the last week she has become pretty much fine with my two girls but Arthur (my enormous neutered male) started by stalking her and mewing, and now seems to be belting her at every opportunity he gets. At first, we thought she was just being unfriendly by growling at him whenever she saw him, as he was showing no signs of agression, but there seems to be a full on fight now whenever she comes down off the wardrobe. To add insult to injury, she's decided to come into season and so is yowling and writhing all over the place. I'm going to cover both of them with something strong smelling and cat nip the whole house tonight, but anyone got any other ideas? She's found herself a refuge on top of the wardrobe, so she has somewhere that is her own space, but it doesn't seem to be settling down as I had hoped.

[Louise]

It could be the season that is triggering this as even though he is now not entire he may still have hormones that make him think he and this could be triggering the agression if they were previously okay

 

She may not know how to respond to him and that in turn my trigger a response and he may be just reacting to that

 

Years ago my cat got blamed for a litter as he was seen 'with' the mother but it was just him trying unsuccesfully

 

We took a kitten though

[Aunty e]

I thought I might try some feliway spray to see if this calmed things down. He got quite agitated when Evie was in heat as well, but never violent. Just disgusted really. Has anyone tried Feliway? My mum had some success with it.

[Cinnamon]

Old wives remedy - rub butter onto their paws & they will be so busy livking it off that they will forget they loath each other

 

I hope things settle down soon

[Olly]

I was going to suggest Feliway, I haven't tried it but a friend has used it. Otherwise, maybe separate them for a bit (if that's possible) and gradually reintroduce them?

 

It's a bit like chickens - there has to be a 'top cat', in my experience! It can take a while for them to settle down, and a week is not long at all.

 

I took on my brother's elderly Cornish Rex, (in fact I think you met it when you kindly came to my assistance over the run extension!) and it was very aggressive towards my mild-mannered tabby - I had to boost his confidence quite a lot. It was only after nine or ten weeks that things started to improve, and sadly she died shortly after . Stick with it, it may just need more time.

 

PS can we see some photos, I've never seen an Egyptian mau! Well done for taking her on.

[gooner.girl]

The vet recomended Feliway after Alfies recent problems. Got it a few days ago and plugged it in - is hard to notice a difference as i didnt see he was particuarly stressed anyway (though he is a bit scared of his new water fountain ) Will let you know if i do notice a change in him!

[Laura & CTB]

I bought the Feliway spray and plug- in when I tried to introduce my works cat (male) at home to my female cat. I'm afraid to report that it didnt help one bit and after two weeks of continuous stress and fighting my poor Frankie was reduced to living in the garden - works cat came back to work!!

[Trish]

A friend got a rescue girl and caused havoc with her other cat by giving much more attention to the new girl, misplaced concern as she had also had a bad start. Her rescue girl also got aggressive with the other cat, I guess she was trying to esablish herself amd saw the attentions as proof she was more important than the cat already there. She tried ignoring, as much as possible, the new cat and lavished attention on your existing cat for a week or two so that he realised he was still top of the heap in her affections. This really helped things with them and whilst they are far from bossom buddies they do co exist okay now however with the Mau in heat there's no saying what could be causing her reactions, poor thing is full of hormones I guess

[Aunty e]

Things better over the weekend, but the Mau got out and did the dirty with the tomcat from over the road. We had our bengal bred a week ago, so if the May gets pregnant (which hopefully she won't) we're going to be overrun with kittens in about two months. We already have bookings for four from Evie, so theoretically it won't be a problem to home some strange little moggies, but it won't be good for the Mau. If we didn't want to breed her later on, I'd have her neutered when she came off heat, but we would quite like her to have kittens. In about six months when she's healthier. Bleurgh. Anyhoo, catnip spray and some Arthur-lovin appear to have helped matters enormously on the Arthur front, but the Mau still hides from him.

[Cinnamon]

Oooooo - I ight be in the market for a strange little kitten.

2 months would be perfect timing too...............

Keep me posted

[Olly]

oops! Paws crossed that she doesn't have kittens, sounds like you'll have your hands full.

 

I'm glad the approach has worked better, I'm sure that given a bit more time she and Arthur will develop some sort of co-existence even if they're not best buddies.

[Aunty e]

When we have our house full of kittens I shall post many many pictures. Cleo is strangely beautiful, with pale green eyes and silver spotted fur, so I imagine even if she did do the nasty with evil pit-bull like tomcat, she'll have pretty kittens.

[Cinnamon]

If she is called Cleo then it is fate - I must have one - thats my daughters name

[Aunty e]

Of course, I forgot! I've put all of my cats on catbook (an application on Facebook) if any of you are in the omlet group, have a look if you can (not sure what my privacy settings are, but I'll be friends with you all if you ask!)

[Cinnamon]

Are you a member of the Omleteers group Aunty e ?

If so,which one is you......I recognise hardly anyone in the group as I am not used to their real names

 

I like the idea of Catbook....must get Chilli involved!

[Aunty e]

I'm Eirian on the facebook group, I think my current profile picture is me in a silly hat....

[Aunty e]

The cats "Ooops, word censored!"ped in the bath. In the victorian enamel bath which stains really really badly. Getting to the limits of my patience here. Cleo spends whole time on top of bookcases, growling at Arthur, who doesn't seem to care. Will order some feliway spray and liberally coat her in it. Or maybe talk to the vets again.

[Cinnamon]

I'm Eirian on the facebook group, I think my current profile picture is me in a silly hat....

 

You look gorgeous in that picture

 

Thanks for giving Chilli some freinds,by they way

[Classy Chick]

I have the answer to your prayers! You need to feed the cats from the same bowl (seriously) and also administer some BacH Flower remedy to them - 'Vine' is the one you need! I put a few drops in their water and if my big fat Jestercat is being particularly pedantic, a squirt straight in his mouth and they are the most chilled out cats on the planet! Try it and let me know how you get on

[Aunty e]

Will try and get some tonight and see what happens! WW3 broke out over weekend. Two pregnant cats, an overgrown kitten and the largest neuter in the word in one house = MAYHEM

[Paola]

I am having second thoughts now about getting a second cat I do hope things calm down for you

[Aunty e]

Hadn't got round to trying it, still constant fighting, so I bought some today and a BIG bowl so they all have to eat together. Will let you know how it goes....

[Cinnamon]

Good luck

Leather gardening gloves at the ready to seperate them?

[Aunty e]

Spray bottle and wellies at the ready. To be fair, they never actually touch each other, they just chase, growl, hiss and generally knock stuff over, while very occasionally pulling out a bit of fur.

[Cinnamon]

I know what you mean.

There is nothing worse than cats who don't get on,is there.

The spitting & hissing is so nasty & spiteful sounding