English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

This is a serious question, please answer with practical answers!

I've adopted 2 cats, they were too frightened to go in their house because of a new big dog that attacked them at every opportunity. Baby cat is really settled here but Pixie is terrified of everything and anything, the biggest problem is that she cannot bear for the door to be shut. I'm going to get a cat flap installed but if I have it set for them both to go in and out, then Baby cat will follow Pixie and then Baby will not settle down. If I have the flap set so that Pixie can get in but not out, she will be frantic. I'm trying to get her used to been in here for little periods of time. Will this panic of the door being shut go away? Is there anything I can do to help her settle and not be scared of the door been shut?

2007-02-06 01:16:21 · 5 answers · asked by Poppy 2 in Pets Cats

5 answers

Yes, there is something you can do. It's desensitisation. You need to put her in that uncomfortable situation for just one minute to begin with. Halfway through that time, you offer your cat it's favourite treat, then open the door again.

Continue to do this, when the cat has improved, shut the door for a slightly longer period, still giving the treat halfway through that time.

The cat will learn that shutting the door is a GOOD thing, rather than something to fear because it will associate it with getting a treat. (Make the treat something it wouldn't normally get)

This should solve your problem. Do give it two to four weeks to work though. Patience is the order of the day here.

Hope that helps.

2007-02-06 01:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

This site might help: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_cominginfromcold

If I were you, I would first introduce the cats to the household little by little (room by room) over a week or two's time. Transition is not always easy for a cat. They are creatures of habit and many do not like change (even if it may be for the better). They need time to adjust to all the changes ad those changes should be made slowly.

You can make a primarily outdoor cat to be an indoor cat. It just takes time and patience. Indoor cats are healthier and live longer, too.

Good luck and what a great decision to adopt!!

`*`*`

2007-02-06 09:26:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I don't know if the phobia will ever go away. I strongly doubt it since your cats had a very traumatic experience. My sister once had a cat that she kept in a bird cage (she is very cruel) for several months.

When we learned of this, my brother and I set the cat free. Unfortunately, the psychological damage seemed to be irreversible. The cat was spastic throughout it's life and would become paranoid even at the slightest sound (like a cough or a sneeze).

Although you should not lose hope for trauma pets, you must also be open to the possibility that they will carry their phobias throughout their lives. My sisters (besides the cruel one, I have 2 others who adopt abused dogs) and I have had several and you can never tell if they will eventually improve or not.

I would consult your local vet about more tips. He or she might also be able to refer you to someone that professionally deals with traumatized pets.

2007-02-06 09:31:32 · answer #3 · answered by hypochondrius 2 · 0 0

I adopted a kitten that was a stray. My son went under the house and caught her for me. I had her for 16 years. But as far a inside doors being closed she hated it! The family would have to lock the bathroom door because she had found a way to open doors and that could be a bad thing if your rump is exposed.LOL.If I shut their out of the bedroom she would sit and cry until she leaned to open the door unless it was locked then she would cry until I got up out of bed to open the door.

2007-02-06 09:33:25 · answer #4 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 0 0

Bach rescue remedy - treats the panic

2007-02-06 10:21:06 · answer #5 · answered by Neen 2 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers