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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/new kitty
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Question
we recently adopted a male Siamese adolescent. He was found in a bag in the garbage. If we take him to the litter he will use it no problem. If not though he just goes where he wants.
How can I change this as I'm sure he is traumatized and I do want to keep him. I also have a Manx fixed male cat who will not leave the new kitty alone he's constantly 2 inches from his butt.
Cyndi,
I would put the new kitty in a room by himself with a litter box and his food and water. Let him acclimate himself to his new home. Your Manx may be keeping him from using the litter box because he is scared. He has already had a traumatic beginning, let him calm down and settle in.
Bless you for rescuing the poor kitty, he's a lucky cat. And get him neutered soon too. That will help a lot of behavior problems too.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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