Ask the Pet Care Expert

We've had her in her room for 11 weeks now and she's been much quieter.  I take her out every night and put her on my bed for about 1/2 hour for one-on-one time.

She has not had any accidents at all in the room.  NONE.  All of her tests have come back negative.

My other cats are now coming around us more.  It seems to me that Gabby has been marking her territory everywhere in our house.  She did not get along with the other cats and urinated everywhere to mark her place.  My male has started to visit with me on the bed again and both my male and female have been much more affectionate now that Gabby is segregated.

I've noticed that Gabby was aggressive with them and would always try to dominate the other two cats.  She was always on her own, and she was the one urinating everywhere.

I asked the vet about prozac and she said that it may not be appropriate for her because of her aggressiveness and that prozac for cats tends to make them less inhibited - which may result in her being more aggressive.

I plan on keeping her in her room for the duration of the fall and winter.  Is this too long?  Also, do I have to keep her segregated for the rest of her time with us or risk a repeat of her behavior?

It sounds like Gabby (and the other cats) are much happier in this situation. Bravo!

And no, it's not too long to keep her segregated. As long as she's happy, and the other felines feel more comfortable, this is a good thing.

There is no rule that says all the animals must live together or like each other. *s* Truth is, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't enjoy each other. You're working with the situation you've got and I wouldn't change things if it's successful.

best,
amy

Amy D. Shojai, CABC
IAABC-Certified Animal Behavior Consultant
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PETiQuette: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multipet Household
Complete Care for Your Aging Cat/Dog
Complete Kitten Care
The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats
Chicken Soup for The Dog/Cat Lover's Soul

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That's great news, Amy.  I really do believe everyone, including the humans, are happier now that she is segregated.  Yes she is alone, but cats are loners sometimes (she definitely was) and she did not get on well with the other cats.  She is so unbelievably loveable now, whereas before she was very standoffish and would growl the moment you petted her a little too long. 

She still cries a bit at night when she hears my voice, but that stops and is nowhere near as long and persistent as it was for the first 4 weeks she was in the room.  She runs back to her room, as if to protect it, if the other cats come up the stairs to see what the fuss is when it's just she and I upstairs.  She still growls at the other female, but the relationship between her and my male has seemingly improved.  She tolerates him when he comes on the bed to visit, but will not tolerate it if my other female visits. 

The change is quite remarkable now that she's had time to settle in and get used to it - and my house is smelling a lot better!!!  The other cats are back to being frik-and-frak together, sleeping curled into eachother, walking around purring again, and generally are back to being my babies.

I am so glad to hear that this can be a long-term solution. 

When we got our new kitty, she was already 10 months old.  We kept her segragated completely for about 6 weeks.  One night, we arrived back home and she had somehow gotten out of her room and everyone was still alive :)  It's been 6 months now, and she still has territorial issues with the others, and when that happens, we put her back in segregation for a day.  It almost seems as though she is receiving too much stimulation in the regular household.  Continue to be patient and she may surprise you one day.  When she is segregated, is it behind a closed door, or behind gates where the three can see each other and interact safely?