Something's changed - help!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Send Ernie over, Chuck. LOL

Actually, there might have been a break through last night. I woke up to hear the sounds of them going at it in the other room - some yowling and screeching and running back and forth. But when I yelled to Tubby to stop it (sometimes that works so I don't actually have to get out of bed) Peanut got up and walked out of the bedroom! She was probably going to see what all the action was about, and here I thought she was the action! So maybe there is another cat or other critter coming around at night that is aggrivating Tubby and he's taking it out on her. Seems most of his picking on her happens at night when we're sleeping (not all, but most) so this is a great possibility. The only other time they have ever really gotten into it, seriously, is when the nasty neighbor cat comes around. We haven't seen him around for about a year now, but maybe some different cat is coming around, and he only comes at night. Another reason I didn't think it was a cat was because we have bunnies hanging out, and when the nasty neighbor cat was around there were no bunnies (don't even want to think about why not). But maybe this is a well fed cat that just likes to irritate Tubby. Anyway, I'm still taking Peanut to the vet this Saturday, but I will now be putting newspapers over the windows at night so even if the cat comes around, he can't see in and Tubby can't see out. Also, the only other time I've noticed Peanut licking her legs bare it was because this nasty neighbor cat was coming around. After he stopped coming around (don't know why), all her hair grew back.

I already have a thing that is supposed to make a noise that cats don't like to keep outside cats away from our windows, but maybe the batteries are dead, or maybe the cat just ignores it like Tubby does. Any other ideas on what I can do to keep them away? There is also this powder type stuff that can be spread around, I think I found it at a flower shop or something, which supposedly has an odor cats don't like, but that doesn't work that well. I know they also have a thing that will squirt water when it senses motion, which I think would work great, but it's a little expensive and seems like a lot of work to get it hooked up to the hose and all.

Anyway, I thought I'd let you all know I just may have found the problem and I'll keep you updated on how things go at the vet and with the windows covered.

Oh, and also, in case anyone was wondering, the reason I seem to be all of a sudden overly concerned about this is because we are going on vacation next week and I didn't want to leave Tubby and Peanut home alone (with a pet sitter once a day) if he was beating her up all the time. So I'm really hoping either the vet or covering the windows provides some kind of answers.

Thanks again for all you suggestions and support! I'm feeling a little better today about it all with the possible breakthrough last night.

[wolflady]

T&P's mom, what a breakthrough, huh? I really did get the impression by what you described that Tubby was acting out his frustrations on Peanut. If this seems to be ocurring when other cats are around (outside), that very well be the cause of the displacement! Wierd, huh?!!
Can you try and spray some citrus smelling aromas around your house to keep the other cats away? Most don't like the smell of citrus, and I'm sure you can get some sprays at the Pet Store.
Covering the windows while you are away might be a good idea, just for safe measure...and leave a radio on, to distract from any noise that may come from the outside!
How's Peanut? Do let us know what happens at the Vet. My guess is that she is really stressed out from being the anger displacement target! Poor sweet girl!! Give them both extra lovins' for me!!
**hugs**

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by wolflady
T&P's mom, what a breakthrough, huh? I really did get the impression by what you described that Tubby was acting out his frustrations on Peanut. If this seems to be ocurring when other cats are around (outside), that very well be the cause of the displacement! Wierd, huh?!!
Can you try and spray some citrus smelling aromas around your house to keep the other cats away? Most don't like the smell of citrus, and I'm sure you can get some sprays at the Pet Store.
Covering the windows while you are away might be a good idea, just for safe measure...and leave a radio on, to distract from any noise that may come from the outside!
How's Peanut? Do let us know what happens at the Vet. My guess is that she is really stressed out from being the anger displacement target! Poor sweet girl!! Give them both extra lovins' for me!!
**hugs**

Leaving the radio on is a good idea to keep them distracted. I'll have to remember that before we leave. And I'm going to have to do some checking on things to keep the cats away, like the citrus things. I've spent so much money on various things to keep them away and nothing seems to be working permanently, but getting poor little Peanut unstressed is worth it all, and I'll spend more to try again.

[wolflady]

Awww...good luck!! I sure hope you find something that helps!! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for ya!!
**hugs**
Karen

P.S. Give Peanut and Tubby some scritches and treats for me!!

[yorkster]

There is a spray I have seen at Petsmart to keep cats & dogs (outdoors) away. Also, what about one of those sonic animal-repellants? I have seen them in the R.C. Steele catalog. I believe they have a web page.

[Frostfrog]

Hello, PeanutandTubby'sMom -

I don't have the answer to your problem, but I had a question I wanted to ask you but I see you do not have the Personal Message feature activated. Anyway, you have probably observed that I live in Alaska. I have a 16 year-old daughter who is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and not too long ago we were talking and I asked what special thing she would like to do this summer. "Go to Chicago and see a Cub's game," she answered. I was just about to dismiss the notion as impractical when suddenly it struck me that life is short and she will soon follow her older brothers and sister into adulthood and so I said, "Okay, we'll do it."

My question concerns that trip. If you would be agreeable to discussing my question with me, you could PM me, or send me an email at [email protected]. (that's right, frostfrogg with two g's). I might note that the yahoo address is not my main email address but one that I use only with people I meet on the net. Anyone can get a free yahoo, hotmail, etc. etc. address and in this way protect their main address.

So - if you would be willing, I would appreciate the opportunity to converse with you.

For the record, four cats live with me and my family, as does one dog. She was bred to race the Iditarod, but she has a very sensitive soul and while she had the strength and stamina to pull, upon being scolded she would sulk for days. Sled dogs must be able to take a scolding and keep on wagging so one day when I was visiting the Arctic Coast village where she lived, the musher who owned her told me she was a good dog but not so good for the Iditarod and would I like to have her. So I put her in the back seat of my airplane and flew her home. That was in 1992.

I will not write about the cats here, for if I get started I will not stop but will go on and on, for that is how much I love them and that is enough to know for now.

[Former User]

I didn't reply sooner because I coulnd't give any advice. Just wanted to say now that we keep our fingers and C & K their paws crossed that Peanut will be fine and stops licking her fur off. I hope covering your windows will help too. And as Karen said, all citrus fruits are supposed to keep cats away. Have to say it works here, when I peel an orange, Casper and Kitty won't come near me!
Good luck Debbie, and keep us posted! And have a nice vacation!
And once again, congratulations on Peanut's day yesterday! She's such a sweetheart!

[yorkster]

I just now realised that PEANUT was COTD yesterday!

She is beautiful- has that sweet MC face
Yay for Peanut!
Hope everything goes well at the vet Saturday.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks everybody. Just wanted to give a little update. I covered the windows last night, and I believe everyone slept through the night - I sure did. I only woke up once to find Peanut on top of me, well, more like half on and half off. I must have rolled over, not realizing she was on me, and she didn't bother repositioning herself, so her front part was on the bed and her back part was still on me. Tubby did start stalking her this morning, but not as bad as usual, and as soon as Terry headed for the kitchen Tubby forgot all about Peanut 'cause I'm sure he was thinking "Milk, milk, oh boy daddy's going to give me some milk!" So, this might just be the ticket. I'll have to go to Petco and check out some citrus spray or something, although I will be covering the windows everynight. I really hate to do it while we're gone because I know the snots really like looking out them and it would definitely provide entertainment while we're gone, but Peanut doesn't need all that kind of entertainment, so they'll be covered and Tubby will just have to deal with it. Maybe I can leave a chair by one of the windows that isn't conducive to the outside cat or something.

Anyway, night one went well, so hopefully this is the solution. I'll let you all know what the vet says, and keep everyone posted with any updates.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and support. I think it was Wayne that mentioned once that once you post something, the kitties stop doing the offending behaviour. Seems to work!

[yorkster]

Tubby is quite active for being 16 yrs. old!
I hope my cats will be too.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by yorkster
Tubby is quite active for being 16 yrs. old!
I hope my cats will be too.

Yes, he really is, although it's usually when I'm home, which means he sleeps most of the day while I'm at work. But, yes, he really hasn't slowed down a whole lot over the years. Maybe a little when he first started getting sick, before I realized he was sick. But now that he gets his medicine everyday, he really is quite active - sometimes too active. He does tire out quickly though when I'm playing with him. His favorite toy is a cat dancer which has a little cardboard thing on the end of a stiff wire. All I have to do is hold it and it bounces around as he bats at it. A kitten would probabaly be jumping around and really getting crazy with this thing. Tubby lays on his back and bats at it, quite vigorously, but still on his back. And he doesn't jump on things like he used to. It used to be a problem with him climbing all over the counter tops, but he hasn't tried to jump that high in years now, and he has his special box to help in jump into bed. But other than that, he's still the big ol' trouble maker he's always been. And knock on wood he stays that way for quite a while yet.

[AmberLee]

Oh, Cat Dancer! Sassy adored his Cat Dancer toy. Cassy and Livvy are mildly amused by it and we play with it occasionally, but Sassy would go mad for it. Such memories...

[AvaJoy]

Sounds like the mystery may be solved! Now lets hope the vet gives a clean bill of health, and you will be able to enjoy your vacation without worrying too awfully much about Peanut & Tubby's antics back at home!

Congrats on Peanut's special day, too! I haven't been reading or posting for awhile, but do manage to check out the pets faithfully each day, and THOUGHT she might be one of our very own . . . Yay!!!

Lily is about Tubby's age, and lately she also has these yowling bouts where she seems confused . . . feline dementia? Pretty upsetting as these episodes are becoming more frequent, but she snaps out of it after a few blood-curdling hoowwwlllls that are alarmingly loud. The very first time she did this, I came running in a panic, expecting to find her in some dreadfully AWFUL predicament . . . I was relieved (but baffled) to find her calmly sitting upright . . . She is also finding it harder to jump up onto the bed, and has to scramble with her hind legs to push herself all the way up and over. I will have to look for a step for her so she doesn't have to struggle . . . but it IS just about the only excercise she gets, so that is why I haven't bought one . . . instead I have 2 floor pillows piled up bedside which give her a little more boost, and they are softer when she jumps down off the bed, too.

[Former User]

How was the vet visit?

[AmberLee]

Info found: I just came across this article on behavior changes in aging cats at the Dr.s Foster and Johnson website. Not sure if it's a lot of help, but it might give you questions to ask your vet when you see him/her next...

Good luck!