The relationship between Luna and Lily is getting somewhat problematic (pix added #9)

[catnapper]

It sounds familiar around here too. Abby sounds a lot like Luna in that she doesn't do much without thinking it through first then gets spooked easily and rushes off. I'll have any cat in bed and Abby will jump up, see the others and jump off. It breaks my heart too because she's my sleeping buddy. Or she'll already be in bed and Pouncer, Nicki, or Flutter will jump up and she'll leave (especially Pouncer, she might stay if Harry or Allen come to bed while she's there). Heck, she'll leave if hubby gets into bed. This afternoon she and I were cozy watching tv. Hubby came over to ask a question. He just stood next to the bed and she was scared off. Just a sensitive nature I guess.

Then as you know, I have lots of issues with Pouncer being easily stressed. He's FINALLY healthy. For the first time what has to be 2 years. I know exactly what you're feeling. I wish I had an answer but I don't. I muddle through it myself.

[jennielynn1970]

My girls seem to have the most issues too.

Sophie is very timid and will take a long time to decide to come up and visit with me, come on the bed, or the sofa. If anyone jumps up, or a loud noise startles her, off she goes and you don't see her again for at least 30 minutes. Sophie is also one who will back up to the wall and spray. UGH!

Boris is another sensitive girl. She spends most of her time alone in the dining room or in the kitchen on top of the fridge. She and Sophie used to be the best of buddies and were together all the time, but since I moved into my house, they act like they hate each other, which I totally don't understand. Sophie was so caring and sweet with Boris when Boris was a kitten. She groomed her, and they slept cuddled up together all the time. Now it's all hisses and spits! Boris is also a pee-er, but normally it's the stove, the countertops, against the microwave.... sigh. I'm so tired of cat pee.

Finae is the loner. She really wants nothing to do with the other kitties. She's momma's girl. I've had her from the time she was about 6-8 weeks old. She gets annoyed with the other kitties, hates the fosters, and she will also do the territorial spraying. She loves when people come to visit and will be all over them and act like she never gets attention.

My foster Furbee is also a female and she seems to hate all the other cats as well. I think she's the one who poops outside the box most times. She really needs a home of her own so she will relax.

My boys are pretty good. Jorgie loves all other cats. He wants to meet every new cat that comes in and even when they hiss and spit at him he looks at me like "What did I do?! I'm the nice one!" and he'll just stay there until they decide to like him or chase the heck out of him to get him away!

Honey, the other male, doesn't seem to care for other kitties too much, especially other males when they want my attention. The more the male fosters wanted my attention, the closer Honey got when he was sitting on me. My lap, then my stomach, then my chest, my neck.... it was like, he was trying to get as close to me as possible to keep the others away! Of course now that most of those needy fosters are gone, he's no where to be found until it's dinner time. Typical male....

I do think most boys are more agreeable but I think it just depends on the cat. My fosters have been WAY more behaved than my own cats. Sometimes I sit here thinking I'm adopting out the wrong cats!

[Kirsten]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with me! It's definitely good to hear that my household is not the only one with problems like this (but I'm sorry for all of you who experience the same!)

The last two days were okay and they didn't fight. I was at home most of the time, and I was very tired the entire weekend so I spend a lot of time just lying on my bed, reading or just relaxing - and both of them were with me on the bed, without growling and hissing. Especially Luna never left my side.

It hit me today that their latest behavior may have something to do with the fact that they were not allowed to enter my bedroom at nights. We had several heatwaves, last week the worst of all, and when it's too hot, I need to open the windows in my bedroom, and that means the door is closed for Luna and Lily. Usually they sleep in my bed at night, both of them. So I think this situation stresses them and this results in their behavior (which is not completely new, but definitely worse than usual).

BTW, I don't know about any holistic vets here, but I know the one Peggy has knows a lot about these things. Maybe he can prescribe some Bachflower remedies, it may be worth a try. They helped Peggy, too.

I doubt that either of them are truly unhappy. They sound very much like human siblings. Their sister is wonderful company when mom is not home, but they want to do everything in their power to show mom just how HARD their sister makes their life. You know how it is....."MOM, she's touching me!!!" "MOM, she's looking at me!" MOM, I wanted that toy!" etc.

Jen, I hope you're right!!


Kirsten