And that's what the brats are doing. Cold with snow on the ground, so Crabass Stitcher meets Crabass Santa this afternoon.
Petey is becoming a problem. He is now hanging around the back door, pitifully crying. I won't let him inside because of conflicts and I can't get near, so how would I get him out? Plus the fleas he is probably carrying. But. He is attacking Missy. She is half his size and he waits in hiding for her to go out (they won't use a litter box) and the chase follows. Old man Bud goes to help but he is missing several front teeth and aged. He would not stand a chance. So now what? I saw an article online that a pheromone hog spray applied to a female's back will deter males. The spray tricks them into thinking the female is a male through scent. So will she make the house smell like a sex crazed hog? Thankfully I was able to trap them early and have all three neutered, but it has not stopped the fighting with others.
One article describes its use for bad behavior in dogs.
Another was similar but related to cats fighting and ravaging the females, neutered or not, and good results using the same boar/pig androstenone pheromone. Or something like that. Missy has been here for almost 10 years and still runs from us, a hunter, and not a house cat unless it's raining or very cold. Hiding her will not help, and I can't leave her/them in the house while in Cleveland or gone for the day. Doesn't matter the color, scent, no scent, texture, box size, they will not use the litter. Petey has been a good boy until he started coming close to the house, and he is even hovering over Bud now, showing his dominance. Not good.
I wish Petey's family was responsible and did not allow this to happen, but many cat owners are not able to domesticate strays and do the best they can. I don't have the answer. I'm one of them.
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8 comments:
Very smart Brats! I did the same thing today and didn't even have the excuse of snow!
Marly: I feel for you, some animals have a very disrespectful attitude for the people feeding them.
I hope they calm down soon, we had a feral cat for 19 years, after whispering to him everyday he became the best cat ever, it did take a good year to get him to let me hold him, I do miss him.
Merry Christmas
Catherine
Marly I so wish I could help with Petey, that crying breaks my heart as I know it does yours. Can you use a have-a-heart safe "trap" and then have him neutered? Is there any group local that can help you with this? Good luck with all of your appt's., Debbie in IL
Marly, I use Feliway spray on my cat, it chills him out, but I don't know if it would do any good with Petey. Maybe worth a try. Have you talked to your vet?
I'm so sorry you're going though this stress with your kitties and Petey. The only thing I can think of is to trap him and have him taken to a shelter. He probably is not a kitty to be adopted, then maybe he is by someone who doesn't have other kitties.
It's not a good life for your kitties after all of the years you've spent taking care of them, having them in your home and worrying about them.
I know it would be a very difficult thing to do. Just a thought. So sad for Petey.
I hope it will all work out for everyone involved.
Hugs,
Charlotte in Va.
So sorry to hear about the Petey issues. I haven't a clue what you can do :(
I have no experience on the pheromone spray. The veterinarian has Feliway dispenser in the examining room, but I don't know that it would prevent fighting. I think it's for stress reduction? I suspect even if you could catch and neuter Petey, the bad behavior will continue for a few months until his hormones settle out. Our local shelters are absolutely no help when it comes to cats.
Smart Brats! I'd like to be doing that right about now!!
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