Another fight :(

On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 19:26:49 -0500, Karen Chuplis
wrote:

I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant. Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry????? Even with a pet
sitter dropping in, I'd worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never had
cats do this my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen
Have you tried spraying them with water? I mean a really good
soaking! MLB

in article , m. L. Briggs at
wrote on 9/5/03 7:26 PM:

On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 19:26:49 -0500, Karen Chuplis
wrote:

I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant. Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry????? Even with a pet
sitter dropping in, I'd worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never had
cats do this my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen
Have you tried spraying them with water? I mean a really good
soaking! MLB

When this happens, it is very spur of the moment. Also, I'm afraid water
would only create more anger. But mostly, there is just not time. It has
happened about three times now: once when I accidently stepped on Pearl and
she yelled, once when she got a claw caught on a cat tree (very badly) and I
went to help her get it out, and now when she sassed me for getting her away
from Sugar. So disheartening. She has lived with us almost a year. I don't
know *why* Grant gets so upset at her for yelling. Pearl is a highly vocal
cat and cannot help it.

Karen

in article , Cheryl at wrote
on 9/5/03 7:56 PM:

In ,
Karen Chuplis composed with style:


I've never
had cats that do this. I sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now,
Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so disheartening. How can I go on a
vacation and not worry????? Even with a pet sitter dropping in, I'd
worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never had cats do this
my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen

Do you think it just sounds worse than it really is, or do they go out
for blood? Prolly a silly question because you know your gang.
Shamrock goes off on a tanget sometimes but I think he needs to go get
another shot because even though his itching subsided for a couple of
days, its back again and it makes him just plain mean. I wonder
if Rescue Remedy would help? When are you going out of town?

Cheryl


Well it sounds like blood, but considering that no one had any wounds, I
think it sounds worse than it is. Grant was itchy earlier, and Pearl was
very edgy anyway. Gak. Idon't know. I'm supposed to go to Tampa for a few
days in November, then there is Christmas. Urgh.

Karen

"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant.
Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry????? Even with a
pet
sitter dropping in, I'd worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never
had
cats do this my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen

It sounds like that redirected aggression thing, which has gotten us in
trouble here at house Burel before!
Sounds like you did all you could do under the circumstances. Maybe you'll
get to be more aware of those situations that could trigger an outburst and
defuse them ahead by having some distractions ready (like cat treats or ham
from the 'fridge). I think it's just harder when some of the cats are more
high-strung. Try and give them lots of praise and attention and play to get
their minds off this and give them treats in each other's presence.
Thinking of you and yours and sending calming vibes and purrs and hugs.
Christine

Karen Chuplis wrote:

I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant. Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry?????

If you're planning on going away on vacation, they may be stressing out
over that! (Cats seem to pick up on signals we aren't even aware we're
sending, so of course, when the suitcases actually come out....)
Unfortunately, I don't know what to suggest. I've not had that problem
with my more recent two (now only one) and in the past I always had a
pet door, so they could get away from each other, when they wanted to.
(With a whole neighborhood to roam, they were less likely to get on each
other's nerves.)

"m. L. Briggs" wrote:

On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 19:26:49 -0500, Karen Chuplis
wrote:

I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant. Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry????? Even with a pet
sitter dropping in, I'd worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never had
cats do this my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen
Have you tried spraying them with water? I mean a really good
soaking! MLB

That can depend upon the cat! Melisande hates it (although occasionally
she'll manage to dodge under the spray to reach the apartment door and
escape before I can grab her). Miu, on the other hand, couldn't have
cared less - I could spray that cat until he was dripping wet, but if he
was doing something HE wanted to do, he just kept on doing it until
physically restrained!

Karen Chuplis wrote:

in article , m. L. Briggs at
wrote on 9/5/03 7:26 PM:

On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 19:26:49 -0500, Karen Chuplis
wrote:

I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant. Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry????? Even with a pet
sitter dropping in, I'd worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never had
cats do this my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen
Have you tried spraying them with water? I mean a really good
soaking! MLB

When this happens, it is very spur of the moment. Also, I'm afraid water
would only create more anger. But mostly, there is just not time. It has
happened about three times now: once when I accidently stepped on Pearl and
she yelled, once when she got a claw caught on a cat tree (very badly) and I
went to help her get it out, and now when she sassed me for getting her away
from Sugar. So disheartening. She has lived with us almost a year. I don't
know *why* Grant gets so upset at her for yelling. Pearl is a highly vocal
cat and cannot help it.

Now you have me wondering - is "Grant" a human, therefore capable of
figuring that out? (I've been assuming he's one of your cats.) As to
the spray bottle, since misbehaviors are, indeed "very spur of the
moment", I keep half a dozen around, near any place I'm likely to be.
And of course, one accompanies me back and forth to the car, so it's
handy to discourage Melisande from squeezing through the cracks, when I
open the door. (You can get them cheap at Ninety-nine Cent Stores, and
IMO you can never have too many.)

On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 20:31:36 -0700, "EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)"
wrote:



Karen Chuplis wrote:

in article , m. L. Briggs at
wrote on 9/5/03 7:26 PM:

On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 19:26:49 -0500, Karen Chuplis
wrote:

I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant. Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry????? Even with a pet
sitter dropping in, I'd worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never had
cats do this my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen
Have you tried spraying them with water? I mean a really good
soaking! MLB

When this happens, it is very spur of the moment. Also, I'm afraid water
would only create more anger. But mostly, there is just not time. It has
happened about three times now: once when I accidently stepped on Pearl and
she yelled, once when she got a claw caught on a cat tree (very badly) and I
went to help her get it out, and now when she sassed me for getting her away
from Sugar. So disheartening. She has lived with us almost a year. I don't
know *why* Grant gets so upset at her for yelling. Pearl is a highly vocal
cat and cannot help it.

Now you have me wondering - is "Grant" a human, therefore capable of
figuring that out? (I've been assuming he's one of your cats.) As to
the spray bottle, since misbehaviors are, indeed "very spur of the
moment", I keep half a dozen around, near any place I'm likely to be.
And of course, one accompanies me back and forth to the car, so it's
handy to discourage Melisande from squeezing through the cracks, when I
open the door. (You can get them cheap at Ninety-nine Cent Stores, and
IMO you can never have too many.)

I have them in every room in the house! I seldom use them now. All I
have to do is say "shall I get the spray bottle" and she minds.

Karen Chuplis wrote in message ...


When this happens, it is very spur of the moment. Also, I'm afraid water
would only create more anger. But mostly, there is just not time. It has
happened about three times now: once when I accidently stepped on Pearl and
she yelled, once when she got a claw caught on a cat tree (very badly) and I
went to help her get it out, and now when she sassed me for getting her away
from Sugar. So disheartening. She has lived with us almost a year. I don't
know *why* Grant gets so upset at her for yelling. Pearl is a highly vocal
cat and cannot help it.

Karen


Karen, it seems that Grant is reacting to *distress* - when Pearl is
mad, hurt, or aggravated. Is he perceiving Pearl as a threat to you
in these situations? It really sounds to me like he may be thinking
he is protecting you. Of course, you know your crew and see what is
happening, but that was my thought when I read your post, and it had
occurred to me when you last posted about a ruckus among the kitties
(I can't remember if I posted it then or not).

Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions - Mike is an only cat and
I don't have much experience with kitty interactions at all. I had
thought, though, if you could figure out *exactly* what sets them off
you could have a better chance of figuring out how to stop it. Is
boarding them an option for when you leave town? Boarding them
*separately*?

Anyhow, we are sending soothing purrs to everyone, and what we hope
are inspirational purrs to you for a solution.

------
Krista

On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 19:26:49 -0500, Karen Chuplis
wrote:

I just don't understand it. I've never had cats act this way. Pearl was
being ornery to Sugar on the cat tree. Sugar was there first so I moved
Pearl. She sassed me (nothing major at all) and that set off Grant. Suddenly
cats were hissing and yelling and flying everywhere. I tried to separate
them and failed. All headed for under the bed where I could do NOTHING.
Suddenly Grant shot out and I got him out of the bedroom, Sugar into the
walkin closet and calmed everyone down. No damage, but a bit of saliva on
Pearl, but everyone, including myself was severely shaken. It's really
horrendous sounding and I end up with more wounds than anyone, but I can't
just let it go on (nothing very serious on me mind you, just like three
tiny, and I mean tiny claw punctures.) I've never had cats that do this. I
sprayed Feliway everywhere and for now, Pearl is in the bedroom. It's so
disheartening. How can I go on a vacation and not worry????? Even with a pet
sitter dropping in, I'd worry tremendously. I could just cry. I've never had
cats do this my whole life of being owned by lots of cats at once

Karen

{{{{{{Karen}}}}}}

Wish I had a great solution for you, but unfortunately, I don't. I
think sometimes cats just have to take time to work out their pecking
order themselves. Once it's worked out, maybe things will calm down.
I don't know. We've always had a problem with Sabra, who was
essentially our Alpha cat for many years, picking on Cosmo, and then
Brando when we got him. With Sabra, though, it was mostly a game and
Cosmo and Brando do not have much of a sense of humor, unfortunately.
Sabra, in his old age, has calmed down and doesn't do this so much
anymore. So I guess only time and age helped our situation.

Hang in there. Hopefully they'll get the pecking order straightened
out soon and all will be well.

Ginger-lyn