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I agree with Catty1, it sounds as tho' Leila needs to be the only cat in the household.
I once took in a beautiful girl named Dandilion, she was living in a mobile home with 3 dogs and a baby.
Dandi never adjusted to being in my home with 3 other cats, there were constant fights and peeing on the stairs and other issues.
My daughter had a friend at college who needed a companion, and she fell in love with Dandi and they lived together in peace and harmony for many, many years. ;)
I will try and get a video of how Leila acts and post it here. The spraying and not getting along with the other cats is only part of her problem. Leila has a mean side to her even when things are going her way. Last night she bit into Kevin when he just reached over to pet her. Not a playful bite, but a leave me alone or there'll be more where this came from, bite. She has attached herself to me, and even with that will attack me when she gets in the mood. There have been times when I just walked by her and she lept up and swatted me. Sometimes she'll growl when you try and pet her. Even if she was an only cat she would have to have an owner that would accept and tolerate her moody disposition. This is not always easy to find. She has a personality problem and I hate giving up on her, but it's becoming stressful for all.
If she sleeps on your head at night and indulges in unprovoked attacks, aren't you concerned about being hurt while you are asleep? We all move around in our sleep; I hope she never sees this as a "space invasion". Have you considered behavior modification medication?
You know as strange as it sounds, I'm not afraid of her. I've dealt with far more scary ferals than this. :D Medication is my next step. I'm going to talk to our vet and see what he recommends.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lizzie
That is my suggestion too! Don't feel bad about it, you did all you could to make Leila feel at home. I know this is easier said than done, because you are attached to her now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
Whatever you decide, you have my support!!
I'm so sorry that things aren't going well. You have done so much for so many kitties that this must be tough.
All I can do is share some of my observations about my guy Strauss, the cat that came to live with us last year when his human died.
I think that a lot of Strauss's behaviour was based on insecurity. His old home and old life was gone, and now he was thrown into a house with three kitties and two humans instead of one kitty and one human.
So we've given him lots of attention. He has his own couch in a back room and his own food dish. When he and Sid get in a mood and both insist on hanging out with us in the living room, we put up visual barriers so that they don't have to look at each other.
He used to swat at me when I'd reach down to pet him. I've found that he's much more receptive if I sit down next to him first, so he doesn't just see this hand thing coming down from the sky to attack him.
OK - some may object to this strategy, but we've also fattened him up a bit by giving him canned food whenever he wanted. Our theory is he's full and happy, and maybe now he'll be a little slower than when he was lean. Don't worry, he's not obese, but he is a little rounder in the belly now.
But we also have a zero tollerence policy regarding bad behavior - which consist of 10 minute "time-outs", locked away in a back room.
Hope this helps.
I hope you can get some medication help...might take the edge off her. I wonder if cats that are calmed that way can learn how to behave, and wean off the meds later?
HUGS and good luck!
Catty1