Kitty Meltdown.

[Jessica]

I have a beautiful 2-year-old female cat, Allie. Since she was a kitten, it's always been just the two of us girls in an apartment - until 2 weeks ago when I moved into a house with my boyfriend and .... HIS DOG. Okay - the dog completely ignores Allie, but she is in total kitty meltdown. She barely eats or sleeps - and when she does sleep, she curls up in her litter box! Gross! I don't know what to do - she's just totally freaked out by the dog's presence. Anyone have any advice?? I'm really worried about her...

[marlakay]

1. Hi saw this before you moved it. We have a fussy female too!

She was just fine in the house we lived in for three years then we moved into an apt for a year before we are moving up north and the first two days she hid under the dresser and wouldn't come out to eat drink nothing. I was worried sick she was going to die but eventually she came out and got used to it.

I am thinking your cat went to the litter box because it was the only thing that smelled familiar to her. Maybe you could put something on the floor that smells like you, if you have a towel you haven't washed or a blanket.

And I agree with the person who said to put her in a room the dog isn't until she gets use to his presence. My cat had a hard enough time just being in a new home, adding a dog I think would have given her a stroke! I have a pure white fussy persian who thinks we all live to meet her every need!!! Ours is 4 years old.

[Lorien]

2. I posted on your original thread

:hi:

[SoCalDem]

3. Set up a place where she can be away from him completely

if she likes.. Maybe just a room that she can retreat to behind a gate at first.. food water litter and a place for her to hide.

I have a similar issue with Amber, our oldest cat.. The kittens we have adopted have all grown up now, and all of a sudden, she has turned into Miss Timid.. They chase her, and she yowls like she's being killed..No injuries, but it's obvious that she's afraid of them ganging up on her.

She has decided that a cubby-hole inside an entertainment center is her hideaway.. We gibve her individual attention, and have an Amber-only feeding place, and I even put a litter box in an unused bathroom for her, so she does not have to pass by the "gangsters" on her way to the regular litter area..

If she would only stand up to them a few times they would back off.. Our other older cats stood up to them, and they are totally ignored by the young ones.

[Jessica]

4. Thanks everyone!!

Sorry for the duplicate thread - but I posted in the Lounge b/c I didn't know this group existed! I'm glad it does -- pet drama seems to be a constant in my life!!

Allie ate some today - I've been sitting next to her while she eats a few bites. I'm going to buy her one of those little kitty houses - where she can crawl inside & lay on a pillow. Her litter box is enclosed, so that makes me think she wants to be inside something. Would making the cat house smell like me help her start to use it? Maybe put one of my blankets or towels inside of it?

Again - thanks for all your advice. DUers are so great!

[Raptor514]

5. Try privacy and Feliway

My wife and I have taken in and found homes for a couple of dozen stray cats and we've had to deal with a lot of 'kitty issues' like this one.

I strongly recommend creating a private space for your cat that's hers. Give her privacy and lots of extra attention from you. Let her get used to the smell of the dog from a distance and avoid playing with or showing affection for the dog in front of her. Also, she won't like the scent of dog on you so wash your hands before playing with your cat.

Another thing I would recommend would be to get a Feliway dispenser. For example: Feliway at Pet Smart


Feliway is actually feline hormone (the happy one) and I wish they made it for people. . .:bounce:

You have to be absolutely sure that the Feliway is at least ten feet or so from the litter box and never, ever put it directly on the cat. Feel free to take a little sip if you like, I ended up purring all day but I did hack a few hairballs at a dinner party which was very embarrassing. :D

By the way, this is my first post ever. Good luck with kitty!

[Jessica]

6. Thank you so much!!

And welcome to DU. I'm quite new, too - and I know you'll love it here!