Anyone know anything about feliway for cats? My cat Charlie has been very vocal since the baby has been born. He meows while we are in the shower which he used to do before and just meows constantly. I joke with my husband and tell him we are going to get rid of him my cat though. Of course I would never ever do that because he was my baby before Ben came around. Any suggestions?
Charlie is 4 years old and we have had him since he was a kitten..We do have another cat who is 8 years old and he just does his own thing and isn't bothered from the baby at all. I don't think I can get him a play mate because our place is so small and right now I don't think that would be the best thing as there is so much cat hair around here already..Thank you everyone for the advice and if you have anymore let me know. What is bach's rescue remedy?
He just wants some attention...give it to him. Even a little stroke or nuzzle goes a long way with a cat.
We currently have our own cats and our kids' cats so life around here can get interesting. Excessive meowing is probably a response to the change in dynamic and a little bit of jealousy.
Bach Rescue remedy is a flower/plant based homeopathic mixture that works to calm people and animals naturally. It has been a round for a very long time.
We use Bach to calm down during stressful driving, etc. We call it happy spray! I carry the regular one in my purse and their new energizing formula, as well.
We use it for our cats and our hamsters.They have a special one just for animals that has no alcohol in it--a few drops in kitty's water will calm him down--
Whole Foods carries the whole Bach Floral remedy line--
Feliway works pretty well but is expensive--the good thing is that it lasts awhile but you have to be consistent spraying it--I think it also comes in a room freshener plug in form, as well as a spray.
It sounds like some Rescue remedy and a little attention will help kitty cat calm down and be a great place to start.
Hi K.,
definitely sounds like your cat is attention seeking. There's a good book about this by veterinary behaviorist Dr. Dodman called "the cat who cried for help". You can definitely give feliway a try, it can help some. Also try to make sure you give your cat some attention, like when the baby is sleeping. A veterinary behaviorist can help you also there are medications you can use if worst comes to worst (for your cat). I like Dr. Serguson at the Animal Rescue League of Boston but that might be kind of far depending on where you live. There are some others in the area as well.
Good luck. I am a veterinarian and animal lover and I feel bad about how much my two dogs and two cats are "neglected" since my two kids are here. Its amazing how priorities change!
E.
Sounds like jealousy and anxiety.
You may want to try Bach's Rescue Remedy. We used it for our cat... a small bit in the mouth helped calm her down.
We used it on cats at an animal hospital that I used to work at years ago. It is cat pheromones that are supposed to help make the more relaxed and happier. I don't remember seeing any difference in cats that were very unhappy. But I think maybe the kitties who were just a little nervous may have enjoyed it ;) I don't remember if it's expensive but it may be worth a try. If your cat is very unhappy there are anti-anxiety meds that they can take. When I was working as a vet tech Busbar is one that we used. I'm sure you're trying to give as much attention to him as possible but unfortunately for our kitties they get bumped down a notch when the baby comes.
I wouldn't recommend this for now but maybe down the line getting another cat could be beneficial to him. (Has he ever been around other animals? Does he do well with them?) I have 2 cats and 2 kids. I must say that my kitties do look for my attention a lot but luckily they are very close and keep each other company.
Hopefully in a couple of weeks/months your kitty will adjust and will appreciate the attention your baby starts gives to give him-though that is a mixed blessing! My boy cat takes all the attention he can get from my kids-he is very brave ;)
Good luck!
Hi K.,
I've never used feliway and don't know much about it. It sounds like your kitty is jealous since the baby came. How old is Charlie? If he is still on the younger side, would you consider a playmate for him? It not, the only thing I can suggest is that you try to give Charlie some special time for just him. Some kitties are very sensitive and don't do well with change..lol.
If you don't think it could be jealousy, has he had a check up lately? Maybe he's not feeling well?
Sorry I'm not much help, huh? Lol.
Have you let him around the baby? He may be curioius. When my daughter was born one of my cats acted similar to this, so I introduced them to each other and after that the cat was my daughters constant companion and best friend. She would sit in the crib and just stare at her and if anyone went near the baby the cat would stare at them like she was her bodygaurd. Not all cats take to babys like this, but you won't know unless you try. Good Luck.
Feliway is just cat pheromone that you spray just about anywhere to calm your cat. It might help him get use to th e new baby smell. It also keeps cats from cratching
M.
Sounds like jealousy and anxiety.
You may want to try Bach's Rescue Remedy. We used it for our cat... a small bit in the mouth helped calm her down.
