One very distressed cat.....

[madcat]

Seems like you are getting somewhere slowly, these things take time.

We use a feliway, they are very good. You can buy it from here, and they ship overseas. Try www.pet-supermarket.co.uk

Let me know how you get on

MadCat

[fluffymel]

Just to update you on my new adopted cat....
She is still a very cross pussy cat. Yesterday she bit my hand as she was sniffing me, she went for my hand as I tapped my leg for her to come on my lap today then attacked me later on and was literally hanging on my sleeve as I moved my hand to get something that was near her. I told her off (by telling her I wasn't going to put up with that) not that she understood me as she is from Rumania!! but I am sure she knew I was cross and her answer was swearing back at me. Yesterday and today I have played with her with some string I hung on a knitting needle and thought she was coming round. She has been a bit braver and has been moving around the room and even sleeping on the settee these last couple of days and I thought I was getting somewhere. Seems not......
So I will now try the Fevicat, and literally just keep my hands to myself until she feels I am not threatening her. Poor love, what a rotten time she must be having to feel so cross. I will keep updating you.

[madcat]

She may be cross, but she is coming around a bit if she is playing sometimes.

These things take a while.

I have read in books that you should never raise your voice to a timid cat, or one that is adapting to new surroundings. Use their name and a calming voice at all times, even if you are bleeding from a bite!

Stroke her when she lets you, near the head not the body as that makes them feel vulnerable. Toucing legs is a sign of dominance, which may have made her nervous, which could be why she bit you. Most cats dislike their legs being touched.

Is she still going into her house a lot?

MadCat

[fluffymel]

Toucing legs is a sign of dominance, which may have made her nervous, which could be why she bit you. Most cats dislike their legs being touched.

Hi Madcat, it was my leg I tapped She would have gone berserk had I got that close to her
I know I made a huge boo boo with being cross with her but I was upset with her literally jumping at me to attack me that everything seemed to have gone out of the window. Ho hum, back to square one and try and win her over again.
I have ordered the Fevicat and will just hope that calms her down enough to be a weeny bit sociable.
Yes she is still going into her house, its her little recluse. She didn't eat much yesterday whether its a coincidence in that she didn't like that particular flavour or she is too upset to eat. I know I have made a mistake and feel quite bad about it and will now have to try double as hard to get her to trust me again.

[fluffymel]

Over the weekend I moved my computer into the room where the cat is so she will get used to me more. Seems to be doing the trick, she isn't as cross nor swearing at me now and will walk about and even lie on her back in the basket whilst I am there. Yesterday when I gave her her dinner she even came out of the house whilst I was putting it into her bowl. Definitely a lot better that.
Today I left the door open to the room and let 2 of my 4 cats explore making sure they didn't go too close to the house where she was watching from. They are not at all fessed with another cat in the house but she will be so step by step I am showing her the owners to the smells rather than be confronted by them by surprise.
I feel all this is going to take a long time but I do feel better now she slowly seems to be adapting.

[TheGuru]

Well done, thats a big step in the right direction

[madcat]

Nice one, that's a really good step. These things do take time though, even in humans building trust takes time.

It's a good idea moving your computer in there, so she will get used to your presence and smell, whilst you are not focusing on her as there is nothing else there. She can watch and investigate you whilst your attention is distracted, which is a really good idea.

I'm glad your other cats are OK with her. Ozzy has been here 4 months now and Jack still hisses at him and fights.

MadCat

[fluffymel]

Thanks for your votes of confidence it all helps it really does.

Madcat, you saying about Jack still hissing at Oz, its a territorial thing isn't it? I assume they are both boys which generally explains it.

I introduced the other 2 cats to Simba last night and one of them is female, Milli (the only one out of the 4) which I adopted in April, she was the only one indignant about the other "guest". Then again she was an only cat until her owners had to go back to the UK and turfed her out on the streets to fend for herself poor love. So it depends on their background too doesn't it?

I lost Chloe a month ago, she was Siamese and 16 years old when she died and she was used to me bringing "strangers" home and adapted quite well but she would still be territorial and more so if it was a female but it didn't last long. I find its the younger cats that find it difficult to accept new bodies in the house.

Best of luck with your two accepting each other.
Melodie

[madcat]

Isn't it odd it being the young cats that find it hard to adapt, I would have thought it would be the older ones.

Jack has been on his own here for 6 years and used to getting lots of attention, so I think it's more that and a bit territorial and dominance battle. Jack has only just started to come back to Mike and I for cuddles, so I think he is coming around a bit. And he let Ozzy lick and nibble his ears the other night, which is a good sign.

I went to the snake shop today to get some food for our snake and I nearly bought a miniture Mackau. It was so tame and lovely. If it hadn't have been £600 I probably would have brought him home too!

MadCat

[fluffymel]

I suppose the older cats (in my case) are used to having odd bods brought in and that is why they are adaptable, if the situation were as in Jacks case being the only one it the scenario would be the same as Jack is behaving. He is definitely coming around with it all and most important is forgiving you for bringing another cat in seeing as he seeking cuddles from you. Slowly but surely eh?
The Macau, what is it? I googled it but nothing came up....