randomly acting out?

[Pam Flachs]

Have you ever tried Feliway sprays or plug-ins? They can really help with anxiety in cats.

I agree with Deborah that you might consult the Cat Coach.

 

[NikkiA]

Ok I misunderstood. I thought you were traveling and leaving him in your new home. I did not realize this was going on while you were home.

You mentioned that he has taken medication for travel stress before. Have you spoken to your vet or had him in for a checkup? Has your routine (the 2 of you) changed?

I'm sorry I can't be more help. Is is different than anything I've dealt with.

 

[Rafiki]

I wonder if the meds have just recently left his system? How long ago did you stop?

 

[Patti]

I think everyone has already said what I would advise. My first thought was that there was the residual scent of a cat from previous owners, but it could just be that he is not adjusting well to his new home. Sometimes moving can be very difficult on a cat - even if he's done well in the past it would not be impossible for him to have a bad reaction this time around. I agree with the one-room quarantine and dedicated play times with him. If his behavior persists, Marilyn Krieger is a feline behavioralist and might be able to give you some insight into his behavior and direction on how to redirect him.

 

[John Popp]

Two things, most drugs for anxiety have a cumulative effect and it actually takes time for them to be effective. At the same time, when coming off the medication it should be gradual halving the dosage, then halving it again before discontinuing it over a couple week period.

The other part of this is your boy definitely needs to do a 2-3 week quarantine in the spare bedroom you mentioned. Spend plenty of time in there with him, he just needs a space to take ownership of and truly feel safe. My guess is that he is constantly walking around on the defensive and as someone else mentioned probably some scents that are keeping him on high alert.

A lot of this sounds similar to our boy Kebu several years ago when moving into a new home. Although not armed with all I know today, I'm pretty sure with a quarantine period the things that took forever to resolve could have been done in the first months.

Lastly, what is the body language suggesting? Tail up or down, ears back, tail fluffed? The ears are the best sign and some notes would help figure out what's troubling your boy.

 

[Eddies]

John Popp maybe GizmoK... could give you a call & have a chat, sounds like you've been in this situation before... I do love this neighborhood of SV slaves!!!!! IMHO Feliway/quarantine/support/support/support for both teenager SV & owner...