Multi Cat House - Cats Picking on Sick One

[crazycatlady]

Hello All,

Manche is doing well. We are down to a BS of around 220 and he has gained back 3 lbs. (now we have to slow that down). I have 4 large cats and ever since Manche got diagnosed with diabetes, he has been isolated by the other cats and now the other cats have started picking on him. I have difusers around the house but that does not seem to help. The more that I isolate, the bigger the issue. We are really trying to be good parents and spend as much time as we can with everyone.

Anyone else experinced this isse? I thought he might smell different to them.

Thanks!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

You might try taking a washcloth and rubbing it on Manche then rubbing the same cloth on one cat, then repeat the process with each cat. Good luck and blessings
jeanne

 

[KPassa]

Something you can also try when they start picking on him, is to try distracting them with play and with treats and redirect their behavior to something more positive.

 

[BJM]

Yes, cats will pick on a sick one. It seems to be a source of stress to them.

Active play, separately for now, for a good 15-20 minutes 1-2 times per day, may help relieve some of that stress.

Think about behaviors that you want to encourage and use positive reinforcement to increase the chances of it happening.

Also think diversion - if you can identify what leads up to an attack, watch for the signs one is coming, then intervene with an activity that redirects the activity into play or grooming or learning a new behavior.

 

[crazycatlady]

as an update. Manche has gone from 600 to 246 and is exhibiting normal behavior. i cried just to see him get the crazies. I feel bad because i am not home testing. I am also still on Hills science diet MD. I know I should change the food but he is doing so well. The other cats are slowly coming back to normal. Am I wrong to follow the vets advice when in 3 weeks we have him almost regulated?

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Following the vets advice may have got him into lower numbers but what happens if he goes into remission? Many cats do in the first six months and you isn't know that without home testing.

 

[BJM]

Until and unless you are home-testing, please keep the food the same. If you switch to a much loser carb level, he could drop 100 mg/dL and the insulin dose would be too high by an unknown amount.