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| Don't remember when I picked up this book; probably at a resale shop or garage sale! |
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| I've only been able to skim this one |
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| Anything by John Bradshaw is good! |
You see, Angel isn't enjoying her two brothers as much as we humans are. I thought we'd tried the 'right stuff' to integrate them, but if they are unsupervised...and within paws length...growling, hissing and whappy paws ensues. I feel that Manny and Chili Bruce would be happy to completely ignore Angel, but she instigates the battles.
And here is another rub; everyone talks about introducing the resident cat to a new cat, or kitten, or dog. We've got a multiple deal here! Luckily, we are able to partition off the house into five zones, and move the cats around, so all get good exposure to the humans and the scent of the others. But when they *SEE* each other, the fracas begins. So, we have cardboard and newspaper taped up over the glass in our french doors, or have solid wood doors.
I have hormone diffusers on order; should arrive tomorrow. The Hubby is going to put up a fuss over those, but since we close the cats off into separate areas, each area needs it's own diffuser. Feeding them on opposite sides of a door appears to be a nothing-burger; they eat and it's no problem. So...somehow...someway...someday...we want to turn the key in Angel's mind from intruder to no threat. Am thinking about clicker training too. Has anyone tried it before? Please let me know in the comments!
Yes, they've only been here since 12/1/17, so it's only been six weeks. Many of you have mentioned that months of transition can be expected, and to JUST HAVE PATIENCE.
Disclaimer: The books shown here were purchased by me; did NOT receive one or any as a gift or as an inducement to talk them up for more sales. While I know nothing of The Eckstein's, I have watched several television shows by both Jackson Galaxy and John Bradshaw, but I don't know them personally. Wish I did! But not with camera crews; our house is too messy for broadcasts! Plus I'd have to lose about 75 pounds...
I do think more time is necessary and you're doing all the right things, but doing extra research never hurts!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are doing everything possible. I think it will all work out eventually. I am sure poor Angel is still grieving, but she will discover her new siblings are good company.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing the right things...it does take time.
ReplyDeleteYep, ya can't rush it.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you. I don't have the problem but I can easily put myself in your shoes. You are the best cat mommy!
ReplyDeleteThis is probably the greatest challenge faced by an cat parent - integration. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWell...considering that Ivan and Caroline still don't get along after over three years, we can't be much help. :-(
ReplyDeleteI HIGHLY recommend the book cat vs cat by Pamela Johnson Bennett.. it helped me understand how my cats were interacting with one another.
ReplyDeleteand I love how you are using a lotto ticket as a bookmark
Before she died, Sparkle was actually working on a book on how cats could get humans to do what they (the cats) wanted. Because that's really the approach to take - figure out how to accommodate the cats, via their language and behavior. The book that probably comes closest to that is Jackson's book. My human read Cat Vs. Cat many, many years ago, and it actually was one of the inspirations for Sparkle's advice column.
ReplyDeleteangel is still missing Chuck; it's going to take awhile to get over that; not that this commint HELPS; but it might shed some light on her behavior...chuck's gone.....and two newby's are on the scene in his place~~~~~♥♥
ReplyDeleteIt takes time, but we think you're doing the right thing. Purrs
ReplyDeleteAaaaaaaaaw Bless your heart. It can take months to years fur those innegrations to work. And, sometimes they just don't. Altho', mommy doesn't adhere to the don't theory. She believes all can be resolved. Ya' know, so long as there's no blood drawn, hissin' and growlin' is really no big thing. Y, Me must hiss at Raena at least once a day, even still. She can be a real pest, ya' know. We have written post on this as you know, so we won't repeat it all here. As you also know, we don't have the space fur those innegration games, so mommy always forces the issue along with purrayer and pawsitive thinkin'. She only allows the resident cat, uh me, to be "ugly" fur two days. Then mommy says "no more" and pushes us to be together. We're sendin' hugs and purrayers.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Raena
You like great works of fiction and fantasy then - 'ho to get your cat to do what YOU ant' ?!!! Hahahaha. But seriously, we feel for you. Angel has had her territory invaded by two stinky teenage boys. Äiti's suggestions if the feliway pheromones don't help - cat calming collars (helped with King P when he was very stressed); having the boys' smells on blankies etc in Angel's area; string/wand toy games - with a very long and that enables Angel to join in from a safe vantage point; feeding either side of an increasingly open door and allowing the food bowls to get closer. Possibly even introducing one boy at a time to Angel too - two of them might just be overwhelming, especially as she misses Chucky. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteITA with the idea of patience. We've had Lucy 13 months and Sadie still doesn't like her and we have spats. Keep doing what you're doing and back things up if needed.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're doing all that you can. Hopefully with more time, things will settle.
ReplyDelete