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dear purrfectkitty my year old siamese alexei was

Sent to Pet Experts December 28 05:02 PM

Dear purrfectkitty:

My 5 1/2 year old Siamese, Alexei, was always talking, always active and loved to play. In September, we lost his companion, Calli, who was 18 1/2. They got along fine, slept together, and he was quite depressed after she died. About two months later, we brought home a rescue kitten, Magilla (he was about 9 weeks old). We figured this would perk him up, since he'd been so sad. He accepted her pretty easily at first, after the initial growling. Magilla is all love and only wants to play and be cuddled. We figured that finally, Alexei would have a cat young enough to play with, since there had been such an age gap between him and Calli. Well, Magilla loves to play rough and jump on Alexei and he's very careful not to hurt her (pecks back at her instead of using his weight to pin her down - he's at least 3 times her size), but in the last few weeks, he's taken to not playing, no matter how we coerce him. He doesn't talk the way he did, seems disinterested in playing, and sleeps a lot. He hisses whenever Magilla comes near and won't sleep in my arms the way he used to. His personality has changed drastically and we can't seem to snap him out of it. He used to be such a happy cat, and now...that's all changed. We make sure we give him plenty of time alone with us - away from Magilla - and is still hasn't helped. Health-wise, he seems to be okay. What do we do?   We miss the way our boy used to be and are very worried about him!!


Optional Information:
Age: 5; Male; Breed: Siamese cat

Already Tried:
Loving him up, giving him special attention

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
December 28 5:36 PM (34 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Alexei is experiencing territorial issues as well as mourning Calli (his former best friend)Siamese cats are a very unique breed. I have a male that is 15& a half and coincidentally his name is Alex!
Siamese are incredably loyal (more like a dog), intelligent, loving and most importantly DEVOTED to their "person". While Alexei is mourning the loss of Calli he is mourning what HE interpets as the loss of your affection more. He has always been the head cat, the alpha male in your household. He towered above Calli because she was female and older she did not threated his reign. NOW all of a sudden enters Magilla. Alexei is more than willing to accept her and be her friend. But "wait a minute" NOW everyone is making a big magilla aout Magilla and Alexei has been dethroned. Magilla is young and a FEMALE, no less! But she has taken over the HEAD CAT POSITION. Worse, Alexei thinks you love her more than him and that he has been replaced. No wonder hes not happy. No wonder he is hissing at her, becoming lethargic and staying back. Cats have a certain code of conduct that they adhere to in a cat heirarcy and it says: The head cat rules and the subordinate stays back! So according to rules lexei must submit to Magilla but that does not mean he is going to be happy about it!
You can not do anything to make him the king of the castle again short of placing Magilla (which I'm sure is not an option). However, you CAN make him king in your heart again. Let your wife care for Magilla. Don't pick her up or pet her or show her any attention in front of Alexei. Give him all your attention as though she was not there. In time he will start to respond again when he no longer feels he has to compete with her. In addition, purchase Feliway which is a harmless plug in natural tranqilizer that will calm down both cats.
Try to look at this from Alexei's point of veiw and think how you would feel if your wife suddenly brought another man home that took over your position as head of the household. This is the best analogy that I can find to try to express to you how Alexei is feeling. I'm sure you now understand.


Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri
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