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The cat

Biomomof2's picture

Submitted by Biomomof2 on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 1:58pm

I wrote a blog a couple of weeks ago about BF letting DD bring her cat from over there home. I never understood getting an animal for someone who doesn'tive there.
Anyways cat is here. And wow. The cat spent all of yesterday hiding in the crate. When we went to show her the litter box, she crawled in and started growling. Full on attacked me hand when I tried to get her out of the litter box. I know how BF is with animals. I've seen it myself. DD has told me some of the things she has seen with this cat. But not everything. It will take time. This poor animal.

Comments

notsurehowtodeal's picture

Submitted by notsurehowtodeal on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 3:38pm

Just give her time. What you perceive as comforting she is probably looking at as threatening. It could take months to bring her around.

Try "Feliway" - it is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone which has calming qualities. It is used to calm and comfort cats who are in stressful situations. You can plug it in an outlet and it will send out the pheromone that only the cat can smell. There is also a spray bottle. I was very skeptical about it, but we used it for my Mom's cat and her stress level and accompanying litter box problems disappeared. If we ran out, her stress came back. I got it from my vet, but I think you can get it a pet food stores too. It can't hurt and might be helpful.

It might be worth it to take her to the vet in case she has any internal injures that might be contributing to her behavior. I realize that is just one more stressful thing to expose her to now, but you might watch her for signs of pain.

At this point I would close her in a room with food, water and a litter box and leave her alone. Let your SD visit her in the room and keep all strangers away. Don't try and handle her - just let her go where she wants to in the room. Very gradually introduce new people and let her leave the room. I have seen cats use a crate like a dog will - as a place of refuge.

You are such a good person for rescuing the cat for you SD. Just keep in mind it may take lots of time. Miz Foxie may be right, but see what you can do and keep evaluating her quality of life. Good luck!

LuckyGirl's picture

Submitted by LuckyGirl on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 4:14pm

I second the "leave her alone" for the time being. Make sure she has access to food, water and her litterbox. Keep her in a calm environment, preferably where she can hear the family going about your daily activities (it will give her a chance to get used to your voices) but don't disturb her. When you need to go in to change water etc, do it calmly and quietly with no fuss. Speak gently to her but don't attempt to force her into being touched.

We have a rescue cat who arrived a shivering, terrified bag of bones - three years later he is known as "most rounded of puddies" and "Sir Puddy" Smile Smile Smile

zookeeper's picture

Submitted by zookeeper on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 7:25pm

You're fantastic for saving this cat Smile I could hug you!
I found this article about cats and eye contact, http://lifewithchcats.com/2013/03/12/understanding-your-cats-body-langua...
Except I'd do the "blink kissing" with my face turned away and looking at the cat out of the corner of my eye because it's less threatening. Do this while you're sitting quietly on the floor with your hands on your lap. I once had a kitten who was very timid and it worked for him. He grew up to be a calm, confident cat. Oh and the other commenters are right too, leave her be at first to get used to your family's sounds and smells.
Could you please keep us updated?