[tomf]

I recently moved with my 2 cats. One of them is doing really well but the other one(a 4 year old) is... what I can only for lack of a better word call depressed. Heres the background... mabye someone will have an idea about what I can do to cheer him up.

Me and my fiancee recently moved from my moms house where we were staying for a couple of months before moving to our own apartment 1000 miles away. When we were at her house the cat had a multitude of animals to boss around and formed a close bond with another cat there. My mom spoiled the living crap out of him with canned food and loads of attention. Now that we've taken him and his sister off to school with us, he isn't liking the apartment life anymore.

He's a really protective cat, he normally wont sleep when my fiancee is sleeping, instead just prowling the premises until she wakes up and then resting. But lately he's been sleeping when she is and constantly begging for attention. I of course reward all his attention ploys with lots of praise and loads of attention, but this gets tedious as I can't even sit down anymore without him bringing me a toy to play with or rubbing against my leg or sitting and meowing at me.

I've tried showering him with attention but its never enough. I've tried cat treats and canned food but it makes him gassy and I can't do it too often. Is there anything I can do aside from just waiting for him to adapt? I'd like to smooth out this transition, but I fear after a month he should be adapted already and it seems to be getting worse.

On a side note: he's eating, drinking and using the box regularly and I've ruled out health conditions.

 

[Veda]

How about bringing in some more stimulating toys? A tall cat tower he can climb and jump on if you don't have one, a tunnel, some kitty gyms, catnip toys? If your crafty you could make some big wooden gyms to climb on, or if you're strapped for cash, get some old cardboard boxes and set them up all over the apartment.

Or you could always adopt some more brothers and sisters for him...

 

[MrPurryMotors]

It sounds to me as if he misses the other cat, other animals, or your Mom. If it persists: IE, no improvement within a few weeks, I'd really consider sending him home. For his own good. It's no good for him to be depressed and missing someone just for our benefit. I know that's why both me and my Sis agree no matter where she may move off in the future, the kittens must stay together. Though the question of who they'd go with is more difficult to answer...

Hmm. You may want to consider, if feasible, having your Mom and this cat visit you? For the holidays, perhaps? If that cheers him up, see who cheers him up most. If it's mom, I'd send him home with her. If it's this other cat, I'd ask to keep him/her.

Cats are so much like people, it's scary. They're very sensitive lil buggers. Cute too.

 

[Bean]

Where did he live before? If the area is smaller it probably doesn't need the same amount of roaming protection and he's less active because of it.

 

[tomf]

I've tried boxes(he loves boxes) and all the toys they carry at pet stores he likes them but they just aren't cheering him up.

He misses my mom I'm sure but I know he'd rather be with me and my fiancee. His goal in life used to be to guard my fiancee. He'd only let her out of his sight when he was off checking the doors and windows. He shredded a house painter who came over once when she was asleep. He misses my mom more for the random treats and a person to go to for attention than on a personal level I think. Whenever we went out of town and left him alone with my mom he'd become detached and wouldn't sleep or eat until we came home again, leaving him with her would kill him.

The other cat I know he misses, but again he's got his sister and its not that big of a deal. My moms house had 2 dogs and 3 other cats and he was the undisputed boss of all that and I think he just misses the interaction.

They will both be visiting sometime in december, so I'll see how he is after that.

And yes this place is a lot smaller, 2 story 6 bedroom house compared to a studio apartment.

I know there are dog parks and places that you can bring your dog to socialize. Are there any cat equivalents? We've considered boarding him for a day just to get him some social interaction.

 

[MrPurryMotors]

I can't believe I'm going to suggest this...

But have you seen on Animal Planet (Cable TV Network in the US) this whacko lady called the Pet Psychic? It might be worth the :roll: just to see if it can help him out. She's free, I think, so long as they film the stuff it for the show. I dunno...

 

[Raina_Stardust]

I think your cat may be grieving the loss of his extended family.Probably not much you could do for that.I'm sure you know from experience that the grief/loss cycle just needs to run its course. I would keep up with the extra attention and love, good luck.

 

[MrPurryMotors]

Benn trying to think of things to make him feel more at home. I had the wild thought of maybe some stuffed (animal) cats? You know, toy stuffed kittens. Might trick him a bit? I dunno.

 

[faile]

we have a stuffed cheetah that kitty plays with. he likes to attack it, and always goes for the jugular (sp?). but he only plays with it if we play too.

 

[Heather102180]

This might be a bad idea...but...have you thought about getting another kitty?? This way, he has that to adpat to, and may not miss your mom's house as much. Also, he'll have a new kitty to be protective over....it might make your depressed kitty feel more wanted and needed. Just a suggestion!