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My cat was outside with me earlier today while I was grilling. A stray cat came near the apartment, which she normally does and he knows this, but tonight for some reason it is upsetting him terribly. He is growling & attacking all the other cats and is even growling at me. Shadow is 7 years old and normally very sweet & docile. How can I help to settle him back down? He's nearly twice the size of the females in here and I'm worried that he may hurt them.
HELP!!! :confused: :(
See the post below, it is a similar situation.
Could it be the season - spring???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catty1
I've given Shadow some trannies, so I hope that'll help soon. The outside stray is a female, so I'm not sure what was going on. She actually initiated the problem, Shadow was immediately herded indoors. I've got him closed in the bathroom for now, more for his sake than the others, because he's in such a mood. He hasn't taken to attacking me, nor do I think he will.
The weird thing is, he has seen and associated with this female cat outside. They have normally gotten on quite well. He's neutered, has been since he was 8 weeks old and he's now 7 years old.
I'll try to reintroduce him tomorrow to the others, maybe throw his sister in for company, since I know he would never hurt her. When I'm holding him or laying down in bed with him tonight, he buries his head against me and stays there. If I knew he'd stay with me all night I'd let him out tonight so he could feel safe with me, but I don't want to be holding him and have the other cats come near and things go insane.
Rehoming Shadow is not an option. I've had him for 7 years and he is very attached and dependent on me. When I've had to be in the hospital for a few weeks, he lost about 8 lbs. Sending him to someone else would kill him. And me.
Hopefully things have settled down and gone back to normal in your apartment.
It could be that your cat was trying to tell you something about that stray cat outside your apartment. Something that he could sense but that you could not. Perhaps the cat is FeLV or FIV positive, or even sick with FIP.
It is always a good idea to keep your cats indoors and not let them associate with unvaccinated, untested stray cats. Your cats will live longer, healthier lives and you'll save a ton on vet bills.
You'll also avoid issues like this one.
Shadow is still hissing at the youngest cat, Stormy, but he's settling down.Quote:
Originally Posted by Killer Kitten
Him & the stray have sniffed at each other in the past. But the stray has recently had a litter of kittens (whom I have already found homes for all, including Momma cat) and I think that was the problem. The *ONLY* time Shadow goes outside is under my close supervision. He's never unattended out there. He enjoys being outside and since he never runs off, I don't have a problem with him being outside with me there.
Momma has also been vaccinated & tested, once I found out she was pregnant. My vet agreed that because it is very difficult to find a home for a pregnant female, to let her have the kittens, then adopt them all out. She will also be being spayed before she goes to her new home next month. Momma has no diseases, which is the other reason I don't have a problem letting Shadow outside with me.
Contrary to what you seem to believe, I am not an irresponsible companion to my cats. All 5 of mine are vaccinated, spayed and in perfect health.