Cat Sibling Issues
Discussion
Before I begin, please bear with!
So rescued a ginger female called Nacho back in January who we found out a couple of weeks in was pregnant. The vets advised because she was quite a small cat either carrying on with the pregnancy or aborting, were both just as risky as each other so we carried on. February comes and Nacho gives birth to 4 healthy kittens, 3 male gingers and a tortie female. Of which we decided to keep the tortie and one of the ginger males, with the other two now in loving forever homes.
Once we reached the 10-12 week mark, both Nacho and the little boy, Tigger, were both neutered to save any more pregnancies and Badger, the tortie we put on hold due to her being the runt, and being a very small cat. This is where problems begin.
So all 3 cats are now in separate rooms due to their respective recoveries, Nacho was fully healed in 2 weeks and back with Badger. However Tigger had to be kept separate for 8 weeks due to still being fertile after castration. He’s very excitable so couldn’t even do minimal contact as he’s a handful (hence the name).
Now we are stuck with the two girls together and Tigger still separated and the girls have forgotten him. Tried Feliway Friends but didn’t work after a month, been doing small 10 minute sessions with much hissing and swiping from the girls, and Tigger attempting to bite their necks and get to their bellies. Tried the feeding on either side of a door, girls are fine and Tigger just cries because he wants to get to them. At a loose end of what to try next and really don’t want to have to rehome Tigger. Anyone been in a similar situation? Sorry if it’s a wall of text!
Long of the short, male kitten forgotten by sister and mum, trying to get them back together.
Any help is appreciated!
So rescued a ginger female called Nacho back in January who we found out a couple of weeks in was pregnant. The vets advised because she was quite a small cat either carrying on with the pregnancy or aborting, were both just as risky as each other so we carried on. February comes and Nacho gives birth to 4 healthy kittens, 3 male gingers and a tortie female. Of which we decided to keep the tortie and one of the ginger males, with the other two now in loving forever homes.
Once we reached the 10-12 week mark, both Nacho and the little boy, Tigger, were both neutered to save any more pregnancies and Badger, the tortie we put on hold due to her being the runt, and being a very small cat. This is where problems begin.
So all 3 cats are now in separate rooms due to their respective recoveries, Nacho was fully healed in 2 weeks and back with Badger. However Tigger had to be kept separate for 8 weeks due to still being fertile after castration. He’s very excitable so couldn’t even do minimal contact as he’s a handful (hence the name).
Now we are stuck with the two girls together and Tigger still separated and the girls have forgotten him. Tried Feliway Friends but didn’t work after a month, been doing small 10 minute sessions with much hissing and swiping from the girls, and Tigger attempting to bite their necks and get to their bellies. Tried the feeding on either side of a door, girls are fine and Tigger just cries because he wants to get to them. At a loose end of what to try next and really don’t want to have to rehome Tigger. Anyone been in a similar situation? Sorry if it’s a wall of text!
Long of the short, male kitten forgotten by sister and mum, trying to get them back together.
Any help is appreciated!
bigandclever said:
I’m no cat behaviourist, but I’d be inclined to let them get on with it and work out their hierarchy and relationships themselves.
I’m no behaviourist either but I’m inclined to agree. They’ll find their way. It may involved a bit of fighting - some play, some real - but they’ll eventually find their own way and corners of the house/garden. Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff