Update on Willow and Chunk's progress

[Tina B and crew]

I know isn't it funny Traci? Surprises at every moment it seems

Question, does Willow growl just when she knows you're observing, or can you hear her when you're in another room? Sometimes, they will put on a show just for us if they know we're watching then when you're not around, they groom an ear, touch paws, etc etc.

No, I've heard her growl when I wasn't in the room. I think he's learning, little by little, that this means "back off, I'm not in the mood to cuddle/play/groom" I guess the fact that I've seen her tolerate him close by twice in as many days is good. I know today is not a good day for Willow because the sun is not out, it's been snowing and sleeting and cold..and she hates the cold, gray weather. I am thinking I'll take her to the vet soon for a check up too. She's not showing any signs of anything being off physically but she's due for her biannual check up anyway so it wouldn't hurt to mention to the doc that how she's been acting. I know cats can get growly and touch when they don't feel well. Don't think that's it at all though. I can touch her anywhere and she doesn't get contrary with me.

Like I said before, for the most part I'm letting Willow handle it her way. I only intervene when it seems she's overwhelmed with his antics and can't get away. Had to do that several times this morning because it was clear she was just not happy being jumped at every move. For the most part they have slept all afternoon. Good day for it...brrr!! Love me some warm sleeping kitties <3


edited to add this...

Sometimes I wonder if Willow just doesn't know any better than to growl and hiss??? Even when it appears she is trying to play she will sometimes end up doing it. However, just now she let out an almost hair raising hiss/spit/yowl then did a swat hard and fast (you know, the serious "I mean business swat) when Chunk jumped her. It's the first time I have seen her appear even close to aggressive with her ears down and looking almost angry, so I wonder if hurt when he tackles her? Or maybe it just caught her completely off guard and it frightened her? She was using the scratching post when he did it. Since then she's been growling and hissing at his every move, even chasing after him in a not so playful manner a time or two.

OR maybe she's just had enough and it's nothing more. Even catnip isn't calming her down this time.

[Traci]

My Cinnamae took months to learn how to tolerate Gandolf. He being around 2 yrs of age, she being only 4-5 months. But, she is a little spit-fire and put him in his place. Now, over a year later, SHE initiates play and rough-housing with HIM. I realize my situation is the exact opposite of yours but I just want to encourage you that as long as you take steps to keep the environment harmonious in every other aspect, eventually, I'll bet Willow and Chunk form a pretty close bond. She may not be the total loving big sister he wants her to be, but he'll appreciate her status in the heirarchy.

It IS true that kitties can get cabin fever just like we humans. Winters are spent sleeping longer, less activity, and sometimes, short-tempers. Hopefully, this too shall pass. Even though I keep the heat pretty high in my house, my cats seem to love it even more and just sleep and cuddle together more.

[slvrwhispr]

Izzy hates the cold, too. She has been velcro-kitty on me the past few days. Or on hubby if I'm not around. It's funny; sometimes I'm in the middle of something and try to gently turn her away and she turns into a warm-me-up TORPEDO, just diving into my arms. The only time she's ever like this is when it's cold and gloomy outside. If there's a sunbeam somewhere, well, she prefers that to me every time.

I just think it's interesting reading about the similarities in personality between our two girls. I really think certain traits are tied to their coloring.

[Tina B and crew]

That is funny about the cold and our kitties silvr...Willow just looks miserable when it's like this...she's really full of spit and vinegar tonight. I feel bad for her and for Chunk!

Traci, not sure that you saw my edit in the last post...

Sometimes I wonder if Willow just doesn't know any better than to growl and hiss??? Even when it appears she is trying to play she will sometimes end up doing it. However, just now she let out an almost hair raising hiss/spit/yowl then did a swat hard and fast (you know, the serious "I mean business swat) when Chunk jumped her. It's the first time I have seen her appear even close to aggressive with her ears down and looking almost angry, so I wonder if hurt when he tackles her? Or maybe it just caught her completely off guard and it frightened her? She was using the scratching post when he did it. Since then she's been growling and hissing at his every move, even chasing after him in a not so playful manner a time or two.

OR maybe she's just had enough and it's nothing more. Even catnip isn't calming her down this time.
_________________

[Traci]

I don't know how Willow reacts to catnip, but some of mine get downright agressive and like to attack each other (not hurtful, just rambunctious)...could this be her reaction? My guess is what you said, she was just caught off guard. Just to be safe, tho, check Chunk's nails and see if they may need a little trimming.

It could also be maybe Chunk has a bit more energy to expend today?

Yes, I was sort of alluding to the fact, that maybe that's just Willow's way, to growl or hiss because she doesn't know what else to do. Do you remember her doing the same thing with the other cats before?

[Traci]

Slvr, that may be true. Although Izzy and Willow are dilute calicos, I've heard many a vet say they sometimes dread a calico patient. Not that I think this is true of most calicos, but it was kind of funny to hear that - then Cinnamae's first vet exam proved my vet right (Cinna isn't dilute, tho, she's white with bright cali patches)

[Tina B and crew]

I don't know how Willow reacts to catnip, but some of mine get downright agressive and like to attack each other (not hurtful, just rambunctious)...could this be her reaction? My guess is what you said, she was just caught off guard. Just to be safe, tho, check Chunk's nails and see if they may need a little trimming.

Willow usually mellows with catnip..she rolls and stretches and kind of doesn't care if Chunk is around her it seems...I've never seen her get aggressive with it. Frodo use to get downright mean! LOL Chunk is due for a nail trimming if I can just get him to hold still

It could also be maybe Chunk has a bit more energy to expend today?

He's actually not quite as rambunctious tonight as I've see him get before. In fact since that episode he's given Willow a fairly wide berth.

Yes, I was sort of alluding to the fact, that maybe that's just Willow's way, to growl or hiss because she doesn't know what else to do. Do you remember her doing the same thing with the other cats before?

To be honest, I don't think I have EVER heard Willow growl, and rarely hiss until the past month. I think that is why it has bothered me so much because it just never seemed to be in her nature. Just the one foster cat she didn't care for, she'd hiss at her when she got too close, but I swear I've never heard her growl. I know cats can change. She's obviously irritated tonight because she even flinched when I petted her and ducked away from me as if she didn't want to be touched. I've got her settled on the bed with the heated blanket and she seems content now though...and Chunk's up there with her but not escaping some serious glares

[Tina B and crew]

Traci, I've heard the same thing about calis and torties, that they are difficult to deal with. Funny though, Willow is a dream patient at the vet....both vets in Florida and here have told me that. She doesn't scream/growl/hiss or anything. She's easy to treat, get blood, give vaccines. Bridget's calico, Khanada isn't so easy going, however Laura's tailless tortie is pretty well behaved at the vet if I recall correctly. I do love the dilutes though...not sure why...in fact I often thought that if I adopted another cat it would have been a dilute but it's tough to find dilute kittens it seems.

[Traci]

I do love the dilutes though...not sure why...in fact I often thought that if I adopted another cat it would have been a dilute but it's tough to find dilute kittens it seems.

Not here it isn't Maybe it's geographics, I don't know, but here one can look online and find any type of kitty they want.

Maybe Willow KNOWS that Chunk is staying in the home, so maybe that's why she's asserting herself via hissing/growling, sort of nipping things in the bud.

[Tina B and crew]

She probably does...Willow has always been pretty astute

I've seen a few dilute adults, but any time I see kittens for adoption there is rarely a dilute in the bunch. Saw a beautiful adult that reminded me of Willow a few months ago...she had been abandoned when someone moved from their apartment...made me want to cry