My husband and I recently adopted a new kitten from a rescue group in our area. He was actually born in his foster home but he is having some major separation anxiety issues. I'm not sure if he was separated from his mother too early or what. Anyway,he follows us all over the house and cries when he can't see one of us. When we go to leave he cries for at least 30 minutes and I'm sure it's stressful for him. This morning he sat outside my shower and cried because although he could see me, he couldn't get to me. I've tried putting him down in his bed with one of my sweatshirts, waiting until he falls asleep and keeping him in the same room as our pet rabbit. But nothing seems to make him feel any better except when we come back in and let him out and then it's all purrs. I'm really starting to get concerned about the little guy. Does anyone have any other ideas how I can make him feel more secure?
2006-10-23 05:41:19 · 8 answers · asked by J J33 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I don't know why I didn't think about the Bach Remedies. I have used Rescue Remedy for one of my bunnies before when we traveled. It worked great for him. Thanks for all of the responses so far. They are all appreciated. I've had a lot of pets in my days but this little guy is really tugging at my heart strings.
2006-10-23 06:43:05 · update #1
I really like Sally Bean's answer and hope you might get another kitten companion for the little guy. And you shouldn't get overly anxious about HIS anxiety - it's something those little tykes have to go through.
You could treat him with the Bach essences Walnut (adjustment), Chicory (demanding constant attention), Mimulus (fears of separation or strange circumstances). They can be purchased at most health foods stores and if you get a knowledgeable person there they can tell you how to make up a "treatment bottle" with all three of these in it. Some store personnel are more knowledgeable than others. I ran into a gal the other day in a new store who not only knew a great deal about them and other "herbs" as well and she knew they could be used successfully with animals as well as people.
When treating a cat you just have to shake the bottle well and put three or four drops on the kitty's fur between his ears. You treat him at least three to four times a day for a week or ten days. You can go to www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article titled "Flower Essences for Animals" to give you an idea of what it is all about. If you can't get those three essences and someone to help you about mixing you can just try the Rescue Remedy which should help the kitten too.
This is something you can do for kitten-boy that will help him feel better and adjust better. It cannot harm him in any way.
2006-10-23 06:24:58 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in agreement on the companion kitty. We had to put my husbands 14 yr old kitty down after a long battle with kidney disease and our younger kitty went from being a mellow guy to exhibiting the behaviours you mentioned. I got fur-burn from the number of headbutts he was dispensing when snuggled. After 6 weeks of this we got a kitten and all was well with our original kitty again - thinking about it after the fact he went directly from his litter to having an older sister and had never spent time as an only kitty. When we took the kitten in to be spayed, the older kitty went right back to the behaviour he had been displaying before we got the kitten. Two cats are not that much more trouble in terms of the litter box and food; on the up side they keep each other company and play with each other and clean those hard to reach spots (very cute). IF you can handle it, I would definately get a 2nd kitten (female littermate if possible) and make sure to spay/neuter both animals. Good for your kitty and the rescue group too.
2006-10-23 07:32:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your kitten may have been separated too early, or he may have been separated too late. Your cat also may have been traumatized early in life and is now scared of something happening again.
My own cat was the same way when we adopted her from the shelter; if one of us left the house she would howl at the door for half an hour, then sink into a funk until that person came back. She still notices when we're putting on our shoes and jumps in our laps to stop us from leaving.
All you can do is keep living. Every time you go away and come back, your cat's trust will increase a little bit. I know it's hard to hear him howling despondently like that, and you want to make the pain go away, but the only healer for this kind of anxiety is Doctor Time.
2006-10-23 05:49:28 · answer #3 · answered by nbsandiego 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best way to ensure that kitty becomes more secure is to ignore the behavior. I know it sounds mean but he needs to learn to be independent. And, really, over time he will learn. This is not anything to worry about long term. He will be just fine. The only other suggestion that I would have is to get him a playmate to help occupy his time. I always think it's better to have more than one cat so they have someone around during the day. He sounds like a really sweet little guy. Enjoy his dependence on you while it lasts because he may very well grow out of it soon.
(I also agree with getting a female if you add another kitten. Two males together can have dominance issues....trust me on that!)
2006-10-23 05:46:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Same situation with me. I adopted a male kitty from my humane society. I volunteered there and picked him b/c he was so cool and he was a polydactyl. Anyway, I brought him home and when he got used to the place he started the crying.
My boyfriend and I would be sitting on the couch and he would be looking around and meowing trying to find his fellow feline friends. When we were in the shower he would cry and cry.
Here is what you can do. If he ever starts the crying when you are out of the shower, play with him. My guy used to cry when we were cooking. So we buddied up (my boyfriend and I) I would pick my kitty up and let him sit on my shoulder and check out what we were doing. When he started looking around for his friends I would distract him with a nice game.
Shower time is alot easier now too. I made sure the kitten was occupied before either of us got in. One time when my boyfriend wasnt there to entertain him, I placed him on the sink and let the water drizzle a little, he LOVED that.
All and all, your little guy will grow out of it as he gets older. He may just be scared that you are going away, but he will soon learn that you are there to stay.
2006-10-23 06:09:40 · answer #5 · answered by Casey B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He might be scared of his surroundings. Are there any noises that could be disturbing him? Also, did you get him as an abbussd animal before he came to live with you? There is also a family matter: Do you think that you are giving him enough love that he will forget him old family that gave him birth. Hope this helps!
2016-03-28 05:02:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-17 08:41:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he needs another cat to make him feel better. It works for dogs who are pack animals.
2006-10-23 05:44:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋