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#1
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Help: Depressed cat?
My parents have two cats, brother and sister, which they got when they
were six months old (the cats, that is, not my parents! :-) Jake is a big, heavy (although not fat!) black cat, his sister Chloe is much smaller and not so independent. When they first arrived Jake was playful, curious and very intelligent. We tried to keep them inside for a couple of weeks until they settled, but he became facinated about what lay beyond the back door - even going as far as standing up on his hind legs and trying to paw the key in the lock. He would investigate bags of shopping and walk off with any packets or items he considered 'his' dangling from his mouth. And the slightest touch would set off his very loud purr. Three years on and Jakes behaviour is very different. My parents are away, so I've taken on the responsibility of looking after their cats, and I'm staggered by how much he has changed! He only comes into the house for food, then he immediately wants to leave again. If I pick him up and carry him into another room, he bolts for either the front or back doors like his life depended upon it, and sits there waiting to be released. He no longer purrs, hardly 'talks', nor enjoys being touched, indeed he generally lowers his back when you attempt to stroke him. He will still come running up to me outside, and follow me a short distance up or down the street. He will engage, for a limited time, in games like chasing a piece of string - but gets bored quickly. He does still play with his sister, laying in ambush for her behind walls and fences. About 18 months ago - during another period of cat-sitting - Jake re- turned on day with a large lump mid-way down his tail. The next day when my parents returned I reported it too them, but my mother just dismissed it as another battle scar. A few months later I noticed Jake had trouble jumping onto a bed, so I urged by mother to take him to the vet. The vet said it was nothing to worry about, and sent Jake home without treatment. Anyway I made a fuss and so eventually he got his tail x-rayed - which revealed a metal pellet gun shot. One of the local youths had presumably used Jake for target practice. I've noticed while I've been feeding him these last few days that his tail sometimes twitches. I'm wondering if he is still in discomfort from that episode (they operated and removed the shot, btw) - damaged nerves or something? Is this the source of his apparent depression? Or is he just bored by life in suberbia? Perhaps he seeks the jet-set life of fast cars and loose kitten? He has started spraying inside the house over the past few months, perhaps this is why he is afraid to visit anywhere except the kitchen and hall (which he doesn't spray!) - because he thinks he's going to get chased again? Any help on diagnosing his problem would be gratefully appreciated. -FISH- |
#2
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Poor Jake ,Good job he has you to care for him . If he is spraying in
the house it's possible your parents have reacted in a hostile way by shouting or something and that is why he is afraid to come in . Cats tails do often twitch . I dont know if its a pain indicater but maybe your cat is in discomfort either from the old wound or maybe something else. Is Jake neutered ?if not he should be done . Neutered cats will spray indoors if they are upset, they do it to reassure themselves. Cats will do this if they see a strange cat in the garden or are being bullied by another cat. You have to clean it up with an enzymne cleaner that removes all traces of the smell . Feliway plug in or spray also helps to calm cats . You can get them from your vet. Are you in a position to offer Jake a home ? He might be better off with you . -- Alison "FISH" wrote in message ... My parents have two cats, brother and sister, which they got when they were six months old (the cats, that is, not my parents! :-) Jake is a big, heavy (although not fat!) black cat, his sister Chloe is much smaller and not so independent. When they first arrived Jake was playful, curious and very intelligent. We tried to keep them inside for a couple of weeks until they settled, but he became facinated about what lay beyond the back door - even going as far as standing up on his hind legs and trying to paw the key in the lock. He would investigate bags of shopping and walk off with any packets or items he considered 'his' dangling from his mouth. And the slightest touch would set off his very loud purr. Three years on and Jakes behaviour is very different. My parents are away, so I've taken on the responsibility of looking after their cats, and I'm staggered by how much he has changed! He only comes into the house for food, then he immediately wants to leave again. If I pick him up and carry him into another room, he bolts for either the front or back doors like his life depended upon it, and sits there waiting to be released. He no longer purrs, hardly 'talks', nor enjoys being touched, indeed he generally lowers his back when you attempt to stroke him. He will still come running up to me outside, and follow me a short distance up or down the street. He will engage, for a limited time, in games like chasing a piece of string - but gets bored quickly. He does still play with his sister, laying in ambush for her behind walls and fences. About 18 months ago - during another period of cat-sitting - Jake re- turned on day with a large lump mid-way down his tail. The next day when my parents returned I reported it too them, but my mother just dismissed it as another battle scar. A few months later I noticed Jake had trouble jumping onto a bed, so I urged by mother to take him to the vet. The vet said it was nothing to worry about, and sent Jake home without treatment. Anyway I made a fuss and so eventually he got his tail x-rayed - which revealed a metal pellet gun shot. One of the local youths had presumably used Jake for target practice. I've noticed while I've been feeding him these last few days that his tail sometimes twitches. I'm wondering if he is still in discomfort from that episode (they operated and removed the shot, btw) - damaged nerves or something? Is this the source of his apparent depression? Or is he just bored by life in suberbia? Perhaps he seeks the jet-set life of fast cars and loose kitten? He has started spraying inside the house over the past few months, perhaps this is why he is afraid to visit anywhere except the kitchen and hall (which he doesn't spray!) - because he thinks he's going to get chased again? Any help on diagnosing his problem would be gratefully appreciated. -FISH- |
#3
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Poor Jake ,Good job he has you to care for him . If he is spraying in
the house it's possible your parents have reacted in a hostile way by shouting or something and that is why he is afraid to come in . Cats tails do often twitch . I dont know if its a pain indicater but maybe your cat is in discomfort either from the old wound or maybe something else. Is Jake neutered ?if not he should be done . Neutered cats will spray indoors if they are upset, they do it to reassure themselves. Cats will do this if they see a strange cat in the garden or are being bullied by another cat. You have to clean it up with an enzymne cleaner that removes all traces of the smell . Feliway plug in or spray also helps to calm cats . You can get them from your vet. Are you in a position to offer Jake a home ? He might be better off with you . -- Alison "FISH" wrote in message ... My parents have two cats, brother and sister, which they got when they were six months old (the cats, that is, not my parents! :-) Jake is a big, heavy (although not fat!) black cat, his sister Chloe is much smaller and not so independent. When they first arrived Jake was playful, curious and very intelligent. We tried to keep them inside for a couple of weeks until they settled, but he became facinated about what lay beyond the back door - even going as far as standing up on his hind legs and trying to paw the key in the lock. He would investigate bags of shopping and walk off with any packets or items he considered 'his' dangling from his mouth. And the slightest touch would set off his very loud purr. Three years on and Jakes behaviour is very different. My parents are away, so I've taken on the responsibility of looking after their cats, and I'm staggered by how much he has changed! He only comes into the house for food, then he immediately wants to leave again. If I pick him up and carry him into another room, he bolts for either the front or back doors like his life depended upon it, and sits there waiting to be released. He no longer purrs, hardly 'talks', nor enjoys being touched, indeed he generally lowers his back when you attempt to stroke him. He will still come running up to me outside, and follow me a short distance up or down the street. He will engage, for a limited time, in games like chasing a piece of string - but gets bored quickly. He does still play with his sister, laying in ambush for her behind walls and fences. About 18 months ago - during another period of cat-sitting - Jake re- turned on day with a large lump mid-way down his tail. The next day when my parents returned I reported it too them, but my mother just dismissed it as another battle scar. A few months later I noticed Jake had trouble jumping onto a bed, so I urged by mother to take him to the vet. The vet said it was nothing to worry about, and sent Jake home without treatment. Anyway I made a fuss and so eventually he got his tail x-rayed - which revealed a metal pellet gun shot. One of the local youths had presumably used Jake for target practice. I've noticed while I've been feeding him these last few days that his tail sometimes twitches. I'm wondering if he is still in discomfort from that episode (they operated and removed the shot, btw) - damaged nerves or something? Is this the source of his apparent depression? Or is he just bored by life in suberbia? Perhaps he seeks the jet-set life of fast cars and loose kitten? He has started spraying inside the house over the past few months, perhaps this is why he is afraid to visit anywhere except the kitchen and hall (which he doesn't spray!) - because he thinks he's going to get chased again? Any help on diagnosing his problem would be gratefully appreciated. -FISH- |
#4
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"Alison" wrote in message ...
Poor Jake ,Good job he has you to care for him . If he is spraying in the house it's possible your parents have reacted in a hostile way by shouting or something and that is why he is afraid to come in . On Saturday I encouraged him into the living room by trailing a shoelace along the floor. He nosed around a bit, then sat in the middle of the room for a couple of minutes. Then got up and headed for the back door. A slight improvement. Is Jake neutered ?if not he should be done . Neutered cats will spray indoors if they are upset, they do it to reassure themselves. Yes, he came from one of those cat rescue/sanctuary places, hence him being six months old when my parents first got him and his sister. They insist on all the necessary ops and jabs before they let you have a cat. Cats will do this if they see a strange cat in the garden or are being bullied by another cat. You have to clean it up with an enzymne cleaner that removes all traces of the smell . Feliway plug in or spray also helps to calm cats . You can get them from your vet. Aha - the neighbours changed next door about six months ago, and they have at least one cat. Although on the two occassions I've seen it, it has always been incredibly timid. It even runs from Jake's smaller sister. I've seen other unfamilar cats in the neighbourhood recently too, although I don't know where they are coming from. (They didn't have backpacks or cameras, so I'm guessing they weren't tourists :-) Are you in a position to offer Jake a home ? He might be better off with you . He's one of those cats you have to share with other people. Two doors down they used to have a cat, and still have a cat flap. Jake just walked into their kitchen one day and made himself at home. He's been visiting there ever since, and I suspect that is where he sleeps at night. On Sunday I coaxed him into the garden and played with him for half an hour - "chase the shoelace" (or in Jake's case, "chase the shoe- lace, catch it, sit on it and start to eat it, while I frantically try to pull it off him!") He seemed a little happier, and even let me stroke him, but he still isn't purring, talking, and still avoids all eye contact with me. Many thanks for your help. I'll look into getting one of those plug-ins. -FISH- |
#5
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"Alison" wrote in message ...
Poor Jake ,Good job he has you to care for him . If he is spraying in the house it's possible your parents have reacted in a hostile way by shouting or something and that is why he is afraid to come in . On Saturday I encouraged him into the living room by trailing a shoelace along the floor. He nosed around a bit, then sat in the middle of the room for a couple of minutes. Then got up and headed for the back door. A slight improvement. Is Jake neutered ?if not he should be done . Neutered cats will spray indoors if they are upset, they do it to reassure themselves. Yes, he came from one of those cat rescue/sanctuary places, hence him being six months old when my parents first got him and his sister. They insist on all the necessary ops and jabs before they let you have a cat. Cats will do this if they see a strange cat in the garden or are being bullied by another cat. You have to clean it up with an enzymne cleaner that removes all traces of the smell . Feliway plug in or spray also helps to calm cats . You can get them from your vet. Aha - the neighbours changed next door about six months ago, and they have at least one cat. Although on the two occassions I've seen it, it has always been incredibly timid. It even runs from Jake's smaller sister. I've seen other unfamilar cats in the neighbourhood recently too, although I don't know where they are coming from. (They didn't have backpacks or cameras, so I'm guessing they weren't tourists :-) Are you in a position to offer Jake a home ? He might be better off with you . He's one of those cats you have to share with other people. Two doors down they used to have a cat, and still have a cat flap. Jake just walked into their kitchen one day and made himself at home. He's been visiting there ever since, and I suspect that is where he sleeps at night. On Sunday I coaxed him into the garden and played with him for half an hour - "chase the shoelace" (or in Jake's case, "chase the shoe- lace, catch it, sit on it and start to eat it, while I frantically try to pull it off him!") He seemed a little happier, and even let me stroke him, but he still isn't purring, talking, and still avoids all eye contact with me. Many thanks for your help. I'll look into getting one of those plug-ins. -FISH- |
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