Need Help!

downsouth · Jul 20, 2007

Here is our problem: we have 2 cats (Jack and Josie) that we have had for 8 years (Jack) and 7 years (Josie). Since having our son 8 months ago, Jack has been displaying a change in his behavior. He has been pulling hair out from the inside of his back legs and belly and defecating in various places around the apartment (quite frequently when our son was a newborn and now he has done it twice in the last week!) Jack is a very sensitive cat who requires a lot of attention and since the birth of our son we have not been able to give him AS much attention as before, but do try to allot some time each night to give him some one on one time. Giving them up is simply NOT an option as they are like children as well, but maybe somebody has experienced this and has some good advice? We did some research online and are going to try a plug-in pheromone product called Feliway which gives off a soothing scent to cats and is made to combat this type of behavior. Thanks for reading and any advice would be much appreciated.

-Jason

modaz · Jul 20, 2007

well you already know why hes doing it :good:

so the solution is all i can talk about it, i would give him is own space as in a room that is child free, stress free and seperate his feeding routine from josie, ATM hes shared his world with josie and you, his owners, and up pops a little version of you that makes a lot of noise, smells on occasions and completely alien to him and basically scares the life out of him. with his own space that he can retire to and hide if needed will make him feel a bit more secure, when he does this follow him about 10 mins later and give him some reassurence that all is ok, spend some time in this area making a fuss of him and after a few days of him feeling better just take the baby in with you on small occasions, with the baby with you just talk to jack and put your full focus on him, he will learn that even with the baby around he has nothing to fear and he will still get his attention and will soon come around to the idea of the baby being around and you will find in a short while he will venture out to spent sometime with the whole family and his stress will be reduced big time. try not to give him the attention when the baby is in bed as he will get too used to this and will expect this every time and he will feel a little rejected every time the baby is around.
the pulling of fur is a classic stress related condition its like a form of self harming and anyway this is the way i would do it to get things back to normal but im not an expert on children as i dont have any of my own but cats is a different matter

pica_nuttalli · Jul 20, 2007

actually, before deciding that it's definitely the baby, you may want to take him to the vet and get skin conditions (such as allergies) ruled out.

catherine896 · Jul 21, 2007

I got 2 cats in November last year and was really worried they would become jealous and change because of the baby - he was born March this year.
They were completly fine! I can remember coming home from hospital with the baby worrying about how they would react as am very close with the cats

They completly ignored him and were all over me, when they settled down, I let them smell the baby while he was sleeping - and that was that! They were investigating all of his stuff for a while as it was all new and they dont bother him atall now! I remember when he used to start grizzling in the beginning, the cats would come running to me and meow as if to tell me!

The cats have never displayed jealous behaviour, but as have a baby that is very quiet, and sits quietly on your lap, the cats dont mind coming in for a cuddle with both of us which the baby finds quite entertaining!

He was even asleep the other day next to me and 1 of the cats was by his feet and the other came in between me and the baby and curled into a ball to fit in there.
The cats get new toys quite often and are always played with but as they are young might be why they adjusted so well.

I would suggest maybe having some treats, and give Jack a treat every now and then, maybe even whilst playing with the baby, call him over and pet him. Maybe buy a few new toys for them.Whenever you have a spare 5 minutes call him to you and play with him let him sit on your lap etc.

I hope he adjusts soon, goodluck!

downsouth · Jul 21, 2007

Thank you all for your replies, there is some good advice to be shared.

pica_nuttalli said:
actually, before deciding that it's definitely the baby, you may want to take him to the vet and get skin conditions (such as allergies) ruled out.

Pica, we actually have had this checked out because Josie (the other cat) had to go on KD for issues with her kidneys. We put both cats on this same food and we thought perhaps this caused a reaction with Jack, but according to the vet this is not the case. We shall see....thanks for responding.

Bloo · Jul 21, 2007

Modaz gave some good advice. It's unfortunately not unusual at all for cats or dogs to become distressed with a new baby. Some take it in their stridge. Some don't and display this distressed behaviour. Feliway may help a bit or it may not. If the behaviour persists, ask your vet to recommend an animal behavioural specialists.

Best of luck :good: