Hi everyone. I haven't been here in a long time, but I'm happy to be back and would love to have your help. My kitty Scootie passed away in Jan. of 2015, and on that same day, my Dad gave me his 9 year old cat Tom. Tom is a great cat and I love him very much, and although I was nowhere near ready for a new cat at the time, I'm now happy to have him. He's 10 now and a sweet old guy most of the time, and we're pretty close, but unfortunately I think I've upset him. In November I saw a kitten at a shelter and fell head-over-heels in kitten-love. Well, of course I got him and he's a delightful little angel, but Tom was NOT happy when I brought the little boy home. He seemed to get used to him though after a few weeks; I took things slowly, kept them in separate rooms, fed them separate food, gave Tom lots of alone time with me in my room away from the baby, etc. and he seemed to get used to him. Well, then my Aunt was moving and couldn't take her little Shih-Tzu Roxy with her and since he and I have always been nuts about each other, I offered to take him.
Again, poor old Tom had to get used to a new pet in the house, and it was touch and go for awhile. Then, he seemed to be used to George (the kitten) and Roxy and I thought things would be okay. Unfortunately, about a month ago, Tom got sick with a respiratory infection, and since then, he's been super-stressed out about the other pets. He's hissing at them, starting fights with them, growling at them, and even hissing and growling at ME and my ex-husband.
I feel bad for Tom because now I realize that he probably needs to be the only pet in the house, but of course, I'm very attached to little George and my sweet pup Roxy too. I don't want to get rid of any of them, and so I don't know what the heck to do.
I don't want poor Tom to be stressed out and unhappy for the rest of his life, and yet I don't want to have to give my little baby away or have to find Roxy a new home. He's used to me and loves me, and my precious little kitten is the light of my life now. Of course, Tom is in my heart now too, and although I could give him back to my father and he'd have a home, there is a cat and a dog in Dad's house now too, which would stress him out as well.
I did get a collar from the vet that is supposed to relax them with pheromones, and it worked great for the first two nights---no hissing or fighting, and Tom seemed very chilled out and "ok" with the other pets. Now he's acting upset again, and I'm at a loss as to how to handle this.
I would really like to hear how other people have dealt with this type of thing. I love these guys SO much and want them all to be happy and healthy, but I also have my little pet-Mom selfish side that wants to keep them all, even though I don't know that it's going to work out. I hope that somehow I can do the right thing for all of them, all of us, and I appreciate your help tonight. Thanks for listening.
:blackcat:
Tracy
Again, poor old Tom had to get used to a new pet in the house, and it was touch and go for awhile. Then, he seemed to be used to George (the kitten) and Roxy and I thought things would be okay. Unfortunately, about a month ago, Tom got sick with a respiratory infection, and since then, he's been super-stressed out about the other pets. He's hissing at them, starting fights with them, growling at them, and even hissing and growling at ME and my ex-husband.
I feel bad for Tom because now I realize that he probably needs to be the only pet in the house, but of course, I'm very attached to little George and my sweet pup Roxy too. I don't want to get rid of any of them, and so I don't know what the heck to do.
I don't want poor Tom to be stressed out and unhappy for the rest of his life, and yet I don't want to have to give my little baby away or have to find Roxy a new home. He's used to me and loves me, and my precious little kitten is the light of my life now. Of course, Tom is in my heart now too, and although I could give him back to my father and he'd have a home, there is a cat and a dog in Dad's house now too, which would stress him out as well. I did get a collar from the vet that is supposed to relax them with pheromones, and it worked great for the first two nights---no hissing or fighting, and Tom seemed very chilled out and "ok" with the other pets. Now he's acting upset again, and I'm at a loss as to how to handle this.
I would really like to hear how other people have dealt with this type of thing. I love these guys SO much and want them all to be happy and healthy, but I also have my little pet-Mom selfish side that wants to keep them all, even though I don't know that it's going to work out. I hope that somehow I can do the right thing for all of them, all of us, and I appreciate your help tonight. Thanks for listening.
:blackcat:
Tracy
