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| Brulee on the back of the chair watching Truffle and Mom Paula |
We honestly don't know how our friends with more than one cat do it sometimes...
Brulee usually goes to the vet when Truffle goes and vise versa to help avoid the hissiness that occurs after a visit. Brulee went with Truffle last Monday, but Mom Paula chose to take just Truffle this past Friday. Usually, Mom Paula puts Truffle in the carrier first and then gets Brulee. However, this time, as soon as Brulee realized Truffle was in the carrier (in a totally different part of the house), she hid behind one of the office chairs. She's never done this before. When Truffle and Mom Paula arrived back home, Brulee was still hiding. She eventually came out and of course, she hissed at Truffle. Mom Paula put some powder on Truffle's bottom and head and then some on Brulee. This did help a little.
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| Brulee on the suitcase watching Truffle and Mom Paula on the bed (a little blurry because it was dark in the room) |
It's obvious Brulee knows something different is happening because of the way she is acting. She is staying close to Mom Paula, but a healthy distance away from Truffle. When Mom Paula is in the living room with Truffle on her lap or either on the footrest, Brulee is on the back of the chair. If they are in the bedroom and Truffle enters the room, Brulee jumps on the suitcase (BlogPaws is coming soon) and watches them from a distance. When Mom Paula is in the home office, Brulee is usually on the cat tree behind Mom Paula's chair.
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| Truffle in foreground and Brulee in background (ignore our mess) |
Mom Paula: I'm trying to give both girls the comfort and attention they need. Truffle has been more clingy than usual and is talking to me more, especially when I hold her. I'm communicating back to her that we are going to take care of whatever is making her uncomfortable and she'll be better soon. I'm also trying to give Brulee some extra attention because she seems confused. She does take advantage of getting some special attention from me when I'm in the bed, but it isn't long before Truffle joins us and Brulee leaves.
I know both of them are sensing my mood. I can't help but be stressed and anxious.
What do you do to make sure all of your fur children are getting the needed attention when one is ill?
This one is hard, since they just can't understand. Just keep trying, that's all we can say.
ReplyDeleteCats are very intuitive and can sense all sorts of things, particularly stress. We’re sending lots of purrs and good thoughts to both Truffle and Brulee....and you too, Mom Paula.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky here because one of us (Boodie) doesn't care about getting enough attention! And then there's me - I usually get the most attention because I'm the working cat in the family, but I'm also a healer. So when Binga got sick, I already knew what was up and it was okay by me that my human was spending a lot of time taking care of her. In fact, that's another sign that Binga was getting better, when she started photo bombing me again - and I got annoyed about it!
ReplyDeleteAwww it sounds like they are picking up the stress and anxiety. It's hard. When one of us is sick mom has the human sisters help. They are older now and really good with attention. We agree with the comment of just keep trying and be patient. You have this Mom Paula. We're pulling for Truffle and Brulee
ReplyDeleteFrom the gang at Angelic Clowder
Cats feel humans’mood and emotions. You’re doing your best for Truffle and Brulee, they know it even if they are a little stressed. We send you all tons of purrs. Purrs
ReplyDeleteI feel for you and your lovely kitties. I pray that Truffle and Brulee get better soon and that their temperament and behavior come back to normal. Cats can be very sensitive so patience is the name of the game. I have four at home so I know how challenging it can be.
ReplyDeletePoor girls, they know something is up and just don't understand. I take my cats to the vet separately, but then again I don't think they are as attached as Truffle and Brulee are, however, when I bring one of them back home after a check up the other cat always wants to give them the once over - checking out all those smells and hoping they are not next to go to the vet ;) I think you are doing all the right things by giving each as much personal attention as you can. We are keeping you and Truffle in our thoughts for her surgery
ReplyDeleteWe cats do sense the moods of our peeps. When one of us isn't feelin' well, Peep #1 makes an extra effort to give ALL of us extra cuddles and kisses. Sometimes far too many, if you ask me. But all that extra lovin' does help us all to feel better, I think. Even if I do have to do extra washin' afterwards.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I'm on the topic, why DO peeps insist on kissin' us on the backs of our necks? Do they not realize how hard it is for us to reach that spot? MOUSES!
Love & purrs always,
Seville.
Oh I can relate to your situation. You just do the best you can. Of course a little more of your attention tends to go towards the one who is ill (Truffle) but you are still there for Brulee. I'm sure her anxiousness is knowing something wrong and she can sense both your anxiety and her sister's anxiety too. Plus this is out of her normal routine so it's a lot to take in. Do the best you can to give Brulee a little extra attention when Truffle is resting. I 'm sure Brulee just doesn't want to be forgotten and is acting out a little. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI remember having 3 cats in Israel and trying to give each one some lone time and it was hard, because as I would sit down to play with one the others would arrive so I would then just get the toys out and play with all of them at the same time, each one with his or her toy. They can sense your stress and what I do when I am really stressed out to not affect Layla is take myself outside for a couple of minutes, count to 10 and then come back in.
ReplyDeleteI had a group of 5 cats, and of course it's bound to happen that one will be getting lots of attention, especially when they're ill and the others are feeling left out. I just had to do the best I could and share my love with each one as much as I could. They got individual attention and I would also play with all of them as a group. You're doing a great job with your kitties and it's only natural Truffle will be needing you more now that her surgery is coming up. Brulee knows that and I'm sure you'll more than make up for it! They're both so lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of this exact potential issue last night during BlogPaws Chat!! I was concerned about both of them for different reasons as I have been through this myself! Cats are so attuned and they do know when something is up. What a horrible time to be going through this as well. I was actually thinking of writing a blog post about making sure each pet (in a multi-pet home) get the attention they need.
ReplyDeleteWhat I generally do in a situation like this is make sure you go into a quiet space with each of them for one-on-one for about 15 minutes each day. Just for direct attention, cuddles, singing, etc.
Also key is to spend time with them both - at the same time - to help enforce their bond through you.
I love that you used some powder to get a similar smell on them!
I'm so sorry to hear that Truffle is having health issues and Brulee is experiencing anxiety. Having a pet with illness is so hard and I love that you are really thinking about maintaining balance as much as possible. I hope Trulee feels better soon and you get back into your routine!
ReplyDeleteOnce I had to stay at the vet overnight, and when I got home the next day Lexy was hissing at me. Actually, she did that for about three days! I'm the one who goes to the vet the most often, and if it's just routine stuff Lexy leaves me alone. After my dental, our mom was worried that Lexy would hiss at me because I would smell different after all of that work, but she knew I didn't feel well and just left me alone.
ReplyDeleteDoug who does the "Weggieboy" blog has two Persian brothers, Andy and Dougy. Andy recently had to be hospitalized and Doug (the human) and Dougy (the cat) both missed him and had to muddle through til Andy came home yesterday. He did a lot of the same things you are doing, but Andy had made the vet trip and hadn't been expected to be hospitalized, he was just that sick, so they were spared all the pre-op jitters. Purrayers & POTP to you and both girls.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. While we don't have any cats in our household right now, we certainly understand and have lots of empathy. You are doing a great job, Mom Paula. Hang in there. We are sending lots of positive thoughts to you, Truffle, and Brulee.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a challenge trying not to transfer one's stress onto their babies. I know when I get stressed, I'm STRESSED. I can control my voice and my behavior but it's still oozing out of me.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a hard thing to do but it seems like you are handling it well. I hope everything turns out okay at the vet with Truffle.
ReplyDeleteI see your blog daily, it is crispy to study.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very useful for me & i like so much...
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Our pets sense our underlying emotions...no sense in trying to hide them. Hope things go well for your little family so that everyone can start purring again.
ReplyDeleteI only have one fur child so I never had this issue. We also have a few stray cats that spend time around our house and Okica barely tolerates them so I can only imagine how she would react if we had 2 cats and one of them went to the vet!
ReplyDeleteIt must be quite a challenge.
I hope Truffle's surgery goes well. I hate that Brulee is stressed out. My Echo is very intune to the other dog's feelings. If one of them are hurt or not feeling well, he wants to lick them and make them feel better.
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard sometimes to make sure everyone gets enough love, especially when someone is sick. We've definitely been there in our house of 5 furry babies. But, all you can do is exactly what you're doing. Just give each of them as much love and attention as you can. Hope everyone is back to normal soon! Sending love
ReplyDelete