Pixie pix and a question... So Pixie is a little OCD about her belly grooming and it has led to this fuzzy bald belly. She is completely healthy otherwise. We think her reason for obsessive belly grooming is stress. She is a very nervous cat by nature and gets picked on by all three boys, Anakin, Mika and George. It's not all day everyday that she gets picked on. They just have a moment where they decide to pick in her and chase her. They aren't fighting with her. It's more like I'm going to make you leave this room just because I can, if that makes sense. Pixie is such a sweet girl and I want to help make her happier. We've tried feliway plugins and calming sprays and neither seem to help. I am open to thoughts and suggestion for what I can do to help calm Pixie and what will help the boys be less mean to her.
Poor Pixie! I feel sorry for her being ganged up on by "the boys"! And George always seems to be the one to welcome everyone new into the family. Guess he has to stick with the others in chasing her. Wish I had a solution, but it sounds like you said "because they can." The cat I have now used to chase the older one that is no longer living. As soon as he walked in the door, he would start chasing him. And I always thought it was because he was younger and "could." Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSandy
Thanks Sandy! :)
DeletePoor Pixie - she is being bullied by the other kitties and I don't blame her for being stressed out. The best thing to do for her is create spaces where she can comfortably hang out without being pestered. A lot of times this involves creating vertical space - shelves or platforms on walls, cat trees, putting cat beds up high. That is, if Pixie is the kind of cat who will gravitate to elevated surfaces (most cats are). This might work because two out of the three boys are probably a little vertically challenged and will be less likely to go after Pixie is she is on a tall surface. Think about paths and escape routes - you do not want your girl cornered by one of the other cats. Make her route to and from her safe spaces, safe. Jackson Galaxy talks a lot about this kind of thing on My Cat From Hell, his Animal Planet show.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sparkle! I'm looking into getting some cat shelves. we do have some shelves, dressers etc that she likes to lay on up away fro Ani & Mika. Most of the time she's out and around and doesn't get picked on. Its just those boys get that wild hair and go on a rampage sometimes and she gets the worst of it.
DeletePixie, dear one, turn around and jump on those little bullies! Get together with Trixie and plan a trick on them. Carrie, is there a creme or salve that will sooth her belly? I know you have been holding her and petting her and loving her so she knows you are there for her, the only other thing I can think of is asking the vet and see what she says. And I thought those boys were perfect! Hah! Boys will be boys. Or as we used to say many years ago in Latin class, "Pueri pueri erunt" or something like that. Hugs, Kathy
ReplyDeleteI don't thinks he needs any cream. Her bald belly looks perfect. It had a thin layer of fuzz on it and isn't irritated at all. Haha! My Perfect boys! Most of the time they are but then thy have those crazy moments!
DeleteWould a "thunder shirt" work? Mostly they are used with cats that have Cerebellar Hypoplasia (or CH for short). It might help Pixie be calmer and lesson the OCD since it would feel like (to her) like she was being held.
ReplyDeletethink she would freak out more if I put something on her. She doesn't even like a collar. I'm looking into getting some cat shelves. I've also put a new calming collar on George since he seems to be the ringleader.
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