You are here:

Cats/Remember Me!

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/24/2011


Question
Hi Karen.

I wrote you a couple of weeks ago about getting my 4 cats onto one food.  I did what you had suggested which was do it at a slow pace.  They are now all on Wellness Core Dry Food and two out of the 4 will not eat it.  Any suggestions?  I have the most stubborn cats ever to walk this earth.  

Also is there any way to stop one cat from harassing another?  My white balinese starts fights with my red and white tabby.  The red and white tabby is not a fighter and just runs away.  I have tried the water gun but to no avail and shaking coins in a can won't work since my balinese is deaf.  Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Answer
Hi Ellen,

Of course I remember you and your furry friends. I'm glad you were able to transition all to one type of food. Are the two eating any of the Wellness at all? If they are not then I would either put something in it to tempt them or find a type that those two like. You can also try to switch the other two to something these two like. I would take a little chicken baby food and mix it in the dry. This should get those two finicky ones to eat. Then very gradually reduce the baby food from the dry. That should do the trick.

Now getting a cat to stop harassing another is going to take a few tricks to try. First get some Feliway comfort zone. It mimics a cat's happy pheromones. Try that. Hopefully it will calm the aggressor down. If it doesn't try this stuff.
http://www.petnaturals.com/vitamins_supplements/calming-support-softchews-cats.p

See if that helps. If it doesn't then you might want to try to distract him with some tight of bright flashing light since he is deaf. And if that fails you have two choices. You can either live with it, (tough on you and the one he's beating up on), or take him to your vet for some type of tranquilizer to calm him down. Hope this helped. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

Education/Credentials
I have an A.A.S.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.