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Ziggy, et al.
- Thread starter Chris Elliott
- Start date
Chris Elliott
Savannah Super Cat
Things are going great for Ziggy and Jax! I can trust them unsupervised, even overnight. They are having a great time!
Oni, not so much. She growls, then Ziggy hisses, and then they start smacking and yowling. I'm pretty sure both of them have ears flat. I'm sure both of them are scared. Can't tell if claws are out or not. I've only let them get close enough to smack a couple of times, and one of them was on a leash, so I can separate them easily. Then Oni gets pissy and starts hissing at Jax and smacking him. Jax pretty much just ignores her hissy fits. I wish Ziggy could do the same.
I have Feliway diffusers in the two rooms they meet in. I've tried getting them playing or otherwise distracted with no success.
They still eat "together"--Oni and Ziggy on opposite sides of the sliding glass door, and Jax in the crate between (Jax will steal food otherwise). So they all can see and smell each other. They eat well like this.
It's been 4 1/2 weeks. Ziggy was in quarantine for almost three weeks, but they've been eating together most of that time. I got the crate over a week ago. Oni hates being in it, and Ziggy refuses, and I haven't forced it.
Any suggestions? Should I dare to let them tangle a bit and see if they can resolve it themselves? Give them more time?
Oni, not so much. She growls, then Ziggy hisses, and then they start smacking and yowling. I'm pretty sure both of them have ears flat. I'm sure both of them are scared. Can't tell if claws are out or not. I've only let them get close enough to smack a couple of times, and one of them was on a leash, so I can separate them easily. Then Oni gets pissy and starts hissing at Jax and smacking him. Jax pretty much just ignores her hissy fits. I wish Ziggy could do the same.
I have Feliway diffusers in the two rooms they meet in. I've tried getting them playing or otherwise distracted with no success.
They still eat "together"--Oni and Ziggy on opposite sides of the sliding glass door, and Jax in the crate between (Jax will steal food otherwise). So they all can see and smell each other. They eat well like this.
It's been 4 1/2 weeks. Ziggy was in quarantine for almost three weeks, but they've been eating together most of that time. I got the crate over a week ago. Oni hates being in it, and Ziggy refuses, and I haven't forced it.
Any suggestions? Should I dare to let them tangle a bit and see if they can resolve it themselves? Give them more time?
Sounds like things are moving around, mostly positive.. As far as the crate goes.. Try to play a game of fetch or something similiar (crinkled paper/rubber ball/etc) and then once they are used to playing with it.. Toss it into the crate and let them go after it...
You can also try putting treats in there and see if that would draw them in... Let them know that it is an area for good things. Crate training is not going to happen over night.
You can also try putting treats in there and see if that would draw them in... Let them know that it is an area for good things. Crate training is not going to happen over night.
Chris Elliott
Savannah Super Cat
So far all these things work for Jax, and neither of the other two. I keep both doors open, and neither of them will go in for anything so far. Time to pull out the kitty crack--which I'm running out of...
When you say that they are eating on either side of the glass door, is that closed glass? Or is the door open and they are eating happily? If it is the door slid shut, I'd be working on having them eat with that open...
If the door is open and they can eat together in the open like that... then yes I might see how far the spats go. It's hard to do, but sometimes you have to let them sort it out for themselves...
If the door is open and they can eat together in the open like that... then yes I might see how far the spats go. It's hard to do, but sometimes you have to let them sort it out for themselves...
Pam Flachs
Savannah Super Cat
Such great progress with your bunch; kudos!
I agree you might just have to see how harsh the spats will be.
I agree you might just have to see how harsh the spats will be.
Great to hear the positive updates! I think you really have to play this by ear. Since it's only been about 1-1/2 weeks since Ziggy has been out I might wait a bit longer, but eventually you will need to let them work out their differences on their own - just try to make sure (if possible) that their nails are trimmed before hand.
As for the crate, I had a girl so terrified of going into a carrier that she would lose bowel and bladder control - until I started feeding her in one (freeze dried chicken treats - who can resist, right?) and now she loves going into her crate.
As for additional suggestions, you might get some ideas from a book called Cat vs. Cat - I have found it to be rather helpful in the past:
http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Vs-Keeping-Peace-When/dp/0142004758
As for the crate, I had a girl so terrified of going into a carrier that she would lose bowel and bladder control - until I started feeding her in one (freeze dried chicken treats - who can resist, right?) and now she loves going into her crate.
As for additional suggestions, you might get some ideas from a book called Cat vs. Cat - I have found it to be rather helpful in the past:
http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Vs-Keeping-Peace-When/dp/0142004758
Chris Elliott
Savannah Super Cat
I am going to wait. My son is moving to SoCal and I am helping him drive the truck there starting tomorrow morning. I fly back Tuesday. So Carolyn will keep the status quo while I'm gone.
Brigitte--The door is sort of closed--the crate is halfway in both rooms, with plywood closing the space from the top of the crate to the top of the doorway. So Oni and Ziggy see each other through the glass and smell each other through the crate, where Jax is eating. I tried sliding the door open just a bit while they were eating and Oni walked away and refused to eat. I think I pushed too much yesterday, so some time with no changes might help.
Then I can try opening the door part way again.
You were so right about the boys getting along. And, yes, Patti, it's not been that long. Patience...and more treats!
Here's a couple of abstract photos of Ziggy and Jax playing.
Ziggy is pouncing on Jax across the cat tube:
And here Ziggy is coming around the corner, pouncing from the left:
Enjoy!
Brigitte--The door is sort of closed--the crate is halfway in both rooms, with plywood closing the space from the top of the crate to the top of the doorway. So Oni and Ziggy see each other through the glass and smell each other through the crate, where Jax is eating. I tried sliding the door open just a bit while they were eating and Oni walked away and refused to eat. I think I pushed too much yesterday, so some time with no changes might help.
Then I can try opening the door part way again.
You were so right about the boys getting along. And, yes, Patti, it's not been that long. Patience...and more treats!
Here's a couple of abstract photos of Ziggy and Jax playing.
Ziggy is pouncing on Jax across the cat tube:
And here Ziggy is coming around the corner, pouncing from the left:
Enjoy!