I don't mean to post bomb you but I have a disturbing situation here.
Yesterday GG came to take the cats and the Lab to the vet for their yearly check up.
She brought her sister's two cat carrying cage. Lucy was intrigued, wandering in and out at will.
Gus was AWOL but after several text back and forth and a phone call I directed her under my bed where he was found sleeping soundly.
She scooped him up and put him in the cage and then added Lucy. I don't know whether it was the smells of the other cats or the fear she was being kitnapped but she went ballistic on Gus.
GG got them both out, Lucy ran to my closet and freaked out every time GG came near her, spitting, growling and hissing.
Eventually GG left her home and took Gus and Nika to the Vet's.
They were both outside when I came home, Lucy was loving and sweet to both myself and GG but continued to growl and swipe at Gus who was all what up with Lucy?
This lasted all night, I had to feed them seperately and Gus spent the night with Elle except for a bried foray into my bed at 11:45 where Lucy found him and started a fight.
I kicked them both off the bed and everyone returned to their corners until this morning.
I hoped Lucy would be over it by today but there was a brief hisssy fit until I let the Guster out.
What to do? Any thoughts or suggestions? I know Lucy was scared out of her mind yesterday but why is she taking it out on her brother?
Will she get over it? Has anyone had an experience like this?
We're shattered here. Will peace return?
Ayyiyi. My babies.
Where has the love gone?
Oh no! My guess is that Lucy was, for some reason, traumatized by being in the carrier, and associates Gus with that, and that it will pass in a day or two. They're young, so I assume they haven't been taken out in it much? xo
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, no they only go in carriers to the dreaded vet. Her hissing is getting a little fainter. But soon we'll be going out to watch the world trip and they'll be alone together....they're sister and brother, i'm hoping they can work it out.
DeleteLucy could be showing redirected aggression. We never put two cats in one carrier. That is a recipe for trouble...especially when the carrier doesn't smell familiar. I'd suggest good association, such as a wand toy or treats, with the two in the vicinity of each other.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying individual bowls of kibbles right now. Yes, we realized the carrier was a HUGE mistake.They're not kittens anymore. I'll try the laser toy!
DeleteHad this occur too. Brother/sister duo, playing the girl gets hurt (they tipped over a planter onto her), off to the vet. When she returns smelling different, brother was VERY aggressive to her. I smeared wet cat food on her head, neck and then she smelled of home, no more aggression. You might put food on each cat if you use wet. If you don't use wet, do you do catnip? If not, body rub (think body salt rub for humans) but do that with crunchies all over each of them.
ReplyDeleteHope for the best, Kitty, USA
I rubbed Gus with crunchies. Some scent must have stuck because he really enjoyed cleaning himself,
DeleteMaybe I'll rub them with some catmint leaves.
Thanks for the suggestions.
When I was moving house to come here, Millie freaked in the shared cat carrier, despite her beloved Lottie being in there, and had to travel in a separate box. Sounds like Lucy got a fright over all the unexpected elements - GG rather than you, a strange carrier, etc etc - and it's taking her a while to be reassured. Do you have Feliway spray? Small shots of that here and there can really help to settle cats down. That and time, with you modelling relaxed behaviour around them both! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of the spray but I looked it up and will order some from Amazon.
DeleteSays it helps with the scratching too. You should see my furniture.
I'm sorry to say I do feel better knowing not alone in the fur wars.
Terri, Rachel and Anon are all giving best advice. I still bear the physical scars from a similar incident.Quiet time and small individual treats for each.I'm pretty sure things will come right.But I know how horrid it is!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry I won't put a hand or an arm near them, as much as I want to.
DeleteWe just came back from watching soccer and Gus is still alive.
Step !.
Although my three get along pretty well, they always hiss at the one that's just returned from the vet because they smell different and they're basically a stranger. Not sure about carrier incident but it just might have been "too close for comfort."
ReplyDeleteI'll say, your girlfriend needs her space. Wish you could have seen me trying to rub "Party Mix" all over Gus so he smells more appealing...
DeleteI've been waiting all day to read the comments because I didn't have a clue. I'm reassured. how about you?
ReplyDeleteYes,very, and the suggestions seem to be working. they're eating dinner side by side on the kitchen table, wait did I just say I feed them on the table? Must be a typo. This would not have been allowed last night or this morning. Gus must smell really tasty.
DeleteAnd I'm so reassured to hear others have experienced this and come out unscathed, well except for Dianamow...
Wow. I have had similar problems with what I call kitty integration. I hate to say it but they don't live forever so I'm on kitties 4 and 5. Introducing the cats is difficult. I've never thought of rubbing food on them. My current two, Lucy and Molly, have an armed truce. I think I have two beta cats. Lots of hissing, spitting and chasing but no actual body contact...well, maybe once in a blue moon now. I've just alternated who had free range of the house and swapped "blankies" for scent sharing. It sounds like yours are getting over it. Oh, the trauma of the kitty boxes!
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ReplyDeleteYou have some good suggestions here, the one time I had a a cat he was the one and only so I'm clueless. I hope it goes away fast.
ReplyDeleteWhenever we take Bobbie to the vet, Jack hates her for a week. It never fails, and it's upsetting, but a week and they are friends again. I know I am late in the game, but I hope this post finds Lucy and Gus BFF's again.
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