Cat people...please help me!!!

[Katieinwonderland]

My cat is driving me CRAZY!!!

We have three cats, two 2 1/2 year olds (called Magic and Hershey) and a 1 year old (called Cheeto). We recently moved to a new house, and whilst the older two have adjusted really well, Cheeto is freaking out. I mean, he seems like a totally different cat.

The older two have always been calm and laid back, and the move didn't really affect them after the first few days they were fine. But Cheeto has always been more excitable and fiesty...and now he's turned into a tiny orange pyscho. He runs round the apartment like crazy, I mean so fast and so much that he works up a sweat. He meows constantly, not just like meows but this long, whiney cry that sounds like he's in pain. He's also fighting with the other cats, pouncing on them and really digging his claws and teeth into them (he used to play fight, but he always knew when to stop...now he's drawing blood and they won't go near him!)

The worst thing was this morning when I woke up to find a lovely pile of poop in my kitchen...the cats have NEVER had an accident, and the litter tray was totally clean so there was no reason this should have happened. I have no proof it was him, but I feel like maybe he was acting out.

I don't know why he's being like this. We moved two weeks ago, and I thought he would have settled in by now...we have all the same furniture, so it's not like we have totally new smells or anything, it's just a new apartment. I took him to the vet, who says he seems fine physically, but he does have a slight temperature, which is probably a sign of anxiety.

I feel bad for him...he was a stray and had a tough beginning, but he'd really seemed to settle in with our family, and I thought he was happy. Now he's obviously not happy at all. Does anyone have any experience with pets moving and not settling in? Is there anything I can do? I want him to go back to being content, not making me yell at him constantly for being so naughty all the time.

 

[Scornelius]

My only suggestion is to give him lots of cuddles and love (as much as you can without losing an eye!) and give it a bit more time. When we moved, it took out younger cat a while longer than the older one to settle. I know the sound you're talking about, though, and it's HORRIBLE!! You definitely have my sympathy.

Are you set up for Christmas? My younger cat spazzes a bit when all the decorations come out, so maybe it's sensory overload for your little guy.

Good luck!

 

[mickeyboat]

Poor Cheeto.

I wonder if he needs to get used to the new place a little at a time. Is there a room you could keep him in where you could put a littler box and some food and water? He could stay in there for a little while until he calms down, and then be introduced to the rest of the place a little at a time.

When my kittens came home they stayed upstairs for a very long time. They liked to sit on the top step and watch what was going on below, but it took a while before they were comfortable having the run of the house.

Good luck to you.

Denae

 

[koolaidmoms]

Your cat is showing you his displeasure about your move. Some cats even protest just when furniture gets moved around!

He may also be looking for a shift in the dominance chain as the setting has changed so like large cats that sometimes means the power is up for grabs and he is showing his "manliness." ( I couldn't tell if they were males or females from your post).

Show him lots of extra care and attention - lots of petting, holding, etc... If he doesn't start to calm down some within a few days call your vet. They do have kitty prozac if need be or it may be something else entirely.

Good Luck!

 

[SplshMtn99]

One of our cats did not take well to moving. Months worth of not well.

I asked the vet for a small valium prescription since it worked wonders for her before. Its very cheap too.

 

[burberryplaid]

I think he just needs more time to adjust. Make sure to take some time to play with him as well. Even just tossing balls down the hallway to help work off some of his nervous energy might help.

Good luck!

 

[Lanshark]

Give him time and some extra attention. He'll adjust. If he was a stray he has had to make a couple adjustments. He probably had his first stable residence when he made his move into your old place.

 

[OK!]

He may also be looking for a shift in the dominance chain as the setting has changed so like large cats that sometimes means the power is up for grabs and he is showing his "manliness." ( I couldn't tell if they were males or females from your post).

Apparently, this is common with all kinds of animals...I have African cichlids (fish), and when I wanted to introduce a couple of smallish catfish to the tank to help with, er, housekeeping, the dude at the pet store suggested totally rearranging all of the aquarium's features (rocks, plants, etc.) so that the existing fish would have to re-stake out their territory and wouldn't attack the catfish for invading a space they'd already claimed.

My cat took a while to adjust to my new place when I moved in September, as well. He was the opposite of the OP's cat, though--he hid under the bed and refused to come out for days. I just put his food in a smaller dish under the edge of the bed. He eventually got sick of being under there, came out to explore, and that was the end of it.

And @ the OP-- LOVE the name Cheeto! It's so cute!

 

[Imzadi]

Poor Cheeto.

I wonder if he needs to get used to the new place a little at a time. Is there a room you could keep him in where you could put a littler box and some food and water? He could stay in there for a little while until he calms down, and then be introduced to the rest of the place a little at a time.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it's just too much wide open spaces at this point in time. Isolate & separate him for a bit and go visit him in the space.

Also, this natural, herbal remedy might help. It's called Bach's Rescue Remedy for Pets. The original human formula is fantastic during stressful or anxious situations. Just like caffeine is a natural stimulant and chamomile is a relaxer, homeopaths found which plants & herbs affect people's emotions. Rescue Remedy works like a Valium, but it's all natural from distilled herbs. You can get the Pet rescue remedy from most health food stores for about $8.

Here are some links to read up on it:

http://www.rescueremedy.com/pets/

http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/stress_3.htm

 

[Katieinwonderland]

And @ the OP-- LOVE the name Cheeto! It's so cute!

Really? DH named him Cheeto and I thought it was the most stupid name ever...hence I call him Cheeto Freeto (or, "you little orange furball, get out of the christmas tree right now!") Just like Hershey has only ever been called Hershey Bear (he's brown and looks like a bear cub) and Magic has always been Miss Magic, since she's the only girl. Seriously. No wonder our cats have issues.

Thanks for all the replies...I guess I just need to give him a little more time and lots more cuddles. It's a little uncomfortable trying to cuddle something that's wiggly and meowing loudly in your ear, but I will persist! I actually found one of his toys today that we had bought over but got lost...it's a little green mouse, and right now he's curled up with it between his paws, fast asleep (I love him most when he's alseep!) so maybe that will help! We're moving again next year so I hope this isn't going to be a life long problem for him!!!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Oh and Imzadi, I just wanted say that I am the proud owner of that rescue remedy already!!! I have it for when I fly (soooooo scared of flying!) and DH enjoyed it in the lead up to our wedding this past summer! I might call the vet and see if I can try Cheeto with it.

 

[Robindianne]

My cat did this when I moved as well. I bought the plug in feliway (sp?) cat hormone things and put them throughout the house, also everytime I sat, he was on my lap; when I walked he was on my shoulder. It took months until he returned to normal but it did happen. I have moved twice since and many times before that odd time with no reaction. Best of luck to you and all your fur babies.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

According to a chart from my vet, a one year old cat is similar in age to a 15 year old human. You have a teenager!


COMPARATIVE AGES OF CATS AND HUMANS
As cats move into the senior phase of life, they experience changes that are very similar to aging humans. Diseases and conditions that are commonly known to affect older people also affect our feline companions: kidney, heart and liver disease, tumors, cancer, diabetes, depression, arthritis, neuroses and loss of sensory perception. Understanding these changes and how you can provide for your pet's needs are essential to quality of life.

Age is never just a number but rather a measure of the effect of aging to the body. Variables such as genetics, nutrition and environment all contribute to how your cat will handle the aging process. In general, your cat is considered to be "senior" at 7 years. Since cats age more rapidly than people (see age chart on left), dramatic changes in health can occur in as little as 3 to 6 months.

Cat Years Human Years
1 15
2 24
5 36
7 45
12 64
15 76
18 88
21 100

 

[SplshMtn99]

According to a chart from my vet, a one year old cat is similar in age to a 15 year old human. You have a teenager!


COMPARATIVE AGES OF CATS AND HUMANS
As cats move into the senior phase of life, they experience changes that are very similar to aging humans. Diseases and conditions that are commonly known to affect older people also affect our feline companions: kidney, heart and liver disease, tumors, cancer, diabetes, depression, arthritis, neuroses and loss of sensory perception. Understanding these changes and how you can provide for your pet's needs are essential to quality of life.

Age is never just a number but rather a measure of the effect of aging to the body. Variables such as genetics, nutrition and environment all contribute to how your cat will handle the aging process. In general, your cat is considered to be "senior" at 7 years. Since cats age more rapidly than people (see age chart on left), dramatic changes in health can occur in as little as 3 to 6 months.

Cat Years Human Years
1 15
2 24
5 36
7 45
12 64
15 76
18 88
21 100

Splash is 90+!!!! Old lady!

I'm going to look into this Rescue Remedy stuff for when she goes to the vet. She absolutely hates the vets office, but doesn't mind the car ride now as long as the door to her carrier is left open. She has high blood pressure from kidney disease, and the high blook pressure is leading to her blindness & little mini strokes. Calming her in that situation would be good. We've decided that when the time comes to put her down, we will try to have someone do it at home since the vets office completely freaks her out.

I'm checking out the human version too.

 

[Planogirl]

I actually found one of his toys today that we had bought over but got lost...it's a little green mouse, and right now he's curled up with it between his paws, fast asleep (I love him most when he's alseep!) so maybe that will help! We're moving again next year so I hope this isn't going to be a life long problem for him!!!

I would make sure that that mouse doesn't get lost again. It sounds like it's comforting to him.

I agree with the others that it sounds like he needs more time. Good luck, I know how annoying an upset cat can be.

 

[OK!]

According to a chart from my vet, a one year old cat is similar in age to a 15 year old human. You have a teenager!


COMPARATIVE AGES OF CATS AND HUMANS
As cats move into the senior phase of life, they experience changes that are very similar to aging humans. Diseases and conditions that are commonly known to affect older people also affect our feline companions: kidney, heart and liver disease, tumors, cancer, diabetes, depression, arthritis, neuroses and loss of sensory perception. Understanding these changes and how you can provide for your pet's needs are essential to quality of life.

Age is never just a number but rather a measure of the effect of aging to the body. Variables such as genetics, nutrition and environment all contribute to how your cat will handle the aging process. In general, your cat is considered to be "senior" at 7 years. Since cats age more rapidly than people (see age chart on left), dramatic changes in health can occur in as little as 3 to 6 months.

Cat Years Human Years
1 15
2 24
5 36
7 45
12 64
15 76
18 88
21 100

Thank you for that! It's one of those things I've always wondered about but never seem to remember until I'm somewhere where I can't readily look it up myself. Wow, my cat's almost 60, the old man!

 

[Imzadi]

Oh and Imzadi, I just wanted say that I am the proud owner of that rescue remedy already!!! I have it for when I fly (soooooo scared of flying!) and DH enjoyed it in the lead up to our wedding this past summer! I might call the vet and see if I can try Cheeto with it.

The PET Rescue Remedy has no alcohol. Of course having a tipsy, but calm cat for Xmas might be fun. Just kidding!

COMPARATIVE AGES OF CATS AND HUMANS

In general, your cat is considered to be "senior" at 7 years.

Cat Years Human Years
7 45

Since when is 45 considered a senior?

I would make sure that that mouse doesn't get lost again. It sounds like it's comforting to him.

I agree. If he has other toys he's used to playing with, keep them scattered around the house. This way different rooms seem more friendly to him.