Member

Posts: 10
From:Durango, Colorado USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-12-2002 12:12 PM         

---

I adopted out two black cats (that i rescued in Oregon 3 years ago, they are sisters out of the same colony) to a very nice home about a month ago. They were both quite wild, but really came around. I had to move to Colorado and felt that the move would be traumatic, and was able to only take 4 of my cats with me also. I called to see how they were doing as I bonded strongly with both of them. One of the cats is doing OK and adjusting well, the other one is howling constantly and very mournfully. I could hear her over the phone. Her new human has to sleep with earplugs and has tried talking and meowing to her, but it doesn't seem to help. she thinks the howling is for her benefit as the cat will only do it when she is close by, and the neighbors don't hear a cat howl when she is out of the house. She is eating and using her litterbox just fine but seems extremely distraught. Of course, I feel terrible. I have rescued and lived with many cats, but never had one that howled and cried continually for a month. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

IP: Logged

posted 11-18-2002 01:58 PM           

---

Maybe you can send a piece of clothing (e.g., sweatshirt) with your scent on it for the cat to cuddle with. Maybe having a familar scent will help calm her.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 10
From:Durango, Colorado USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-18-2002 02:51 PM         

---

thank you, i will try that. i had thought of a tape recording to send too of my voice, but wasn't sure if that would make it worse.

IP: Logged

posted 11-18-2002 04:58 PM           

---

You're welcome--I hope it helps. We currently have 7 cats--one of which I inherited from my brother when he passed away. Although the cat didn't howl, he kept his distance from us. I just thought that was his part of his personality. Six months after he came to live with us, he curled up in my lap for the first time. We were all in shock because he never showed an interest in us before. After he made himself comfortable in my lap, he started sucking the tip of his tail--like a baby sucks his thumb! I didn't realize until then just how traumatic the relocation must had been. He gave up sucking his tail a few months later. Since the initial "lap breakthrough" , he sits in a lap any chance he gets. Turns out he's an extremely affectionate cat.

I'm sure your cat will eventually become comfortable in her new surroundings--it will just take time (and lots of ear plugs.)

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)