Encouraging the cats to "re-bond"

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by meatball_mommy, Jul 15, 2013.

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  1. meatball_mommy

    meatball_mommy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2013
    A bit of a random question; we have two cats. One about 3 (TJ) and the other probably about 5-6 (Meatball). Historically they have been best buddies. Meatball grooms TJ, the sleep/nap cuddled in the same cat bed, chased each other frantically through the house playing, and TJ would even sometimes "nurse" Meatball. This stopped in June and that, along with some other out of character behavior, led us to the vet where meatball was diagnosed with diabetes. A week later we also discovered his hepatic lipodosis. During the mid-June to July period Meatball began hissing at TJ and the dog, swatting at TJ sometimes in the morning with a hiss, and when TJ would try to play Meatball would "yell" at him with that awful sound cats make when they fight. Between the insulin and the antibiotics course he did last week, Meatball's been getting more and more back to "himself" with us. He's started to lick TJ now and again, but he's still hissing at him and generally isn't liking TJ's attention. TJ is STARVING for attention (he used to not like to be cuddled by us and now can't get enough). Seeking any ideas for encouraging bonding them back together, recognizing that we may just have to wait this one out and let it run its course. We did try wiping the "family" (TJ, Meatball, and our lab/rott mix dog Sadie) with a dryer sheet on the recommendation of the vet, and it seems to have helped a tiny bit. Any other ideas? Thanks!
     
  2. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Before meals, 15-20 minutes of active play individually to tire them out a bit, then feed with separate bowls, initially at a distance, then slowly move the bowls together.

    Rather than a dryer sheet, you can take a washcloth and run it over the hisser, then wipe it over the target.

    Cat nip has been known to make some cats very mellow afterwards; it can be unpredictable.
     
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