My Pet World: An alternative to talking to your neighbors about how they care for their dog
A week ago I adopted a cat from a shelter. The cat was there for about eight months. I was told she was not a very friendly cat that was surrendered by her previous owners. She is about 11 years old.
When I brought her in and opened the carrier in the bathroom, she allowed me to pet her, and she purred. I provided a litter box, water, food, and a covered cat house for her. She eats and goes to the litter box but constantly growls at me when I try to move her plate, add more food, or clean the litter box.
A couple of times she swatted me with her paw. I use the pheromone spray there to quiet her down. I am not sure if the smell of other three male (all fixed) cats in the household makes her grouchy, but is there anything else I can do to help her without touching her? She stopped growling when I use the bathroom.
— Regina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dear Regina,
At 11 years old, she may already have had a tough life and just needs time, patience, and your reliable love to adjust to a new home.
Right now, give her opportunities to see her surroundings. She doesn’t know what’s beyond the bathroom door yet and that may be causing her anxiety. Put the other cats in another room and give her a chance to wander about so they can learn about each other via scent. Make sure your home is equipped with tall cat trees and empty boxes or baskets where she can run and hide if she feels vulnerable. Use the pheromone plug-in in her bathroom and a room where your male cats mostly congregate.
Also, play with her for 10 minutes three times a day. Playtime builds trust, which will help her bond with you. Let her set the pace and give her whatever time she needs to feel safe. That’s all cats usually need to adjust and be happy in their homes.
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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
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