Crazed Cat, Help!
I seriously don't know what to do about my cat's behavior. I've had Gus since he was 5 weeks and he's almost two now. We recently moved across the country from Texas to Oregon. We live in a huge three bedroom with two roommates.
I have tried to transition Gus slowly, mainly keeping him in my room. There's one other kitty, Milo, and we have been very slow in introducing them. Milo was upset in the very beginning but is now very mellow and wants to play with Gus. Gus is having none of it. He will either hiss and back away or run into the closet. It's very disconcerting. I think Gus may be very upset, he grew up with my other cat, Max. But I couldn't find anyone who would let me move in here in Portland with more than one pet. Luckily, some really awesome friends of a friend wanted Max and he is in a happy home. But Gus just isn't adjusting. We have been here since June 3rd.
To make things worse, I work swing shift and usually get home a little before midnight, then usually I am in bed around 1 a.m. Once I go to bed, Gus goes crazy, running around scratching on all the walls and chirping(doesn't really have a regular meow). I have tried playing with him with toys before bed, he has a scratcher, I give him food and treats, give him lots of cuddling. The windows in my room are sort of high up but I will put him up in the window a couple of times so he can look out. I carefully tested and he is able to get down just fine.
Nothing works, he just keeps going crazy and I get no sleep. I have tried spraying him with a water bottle, but it only stops him for a second, then he starts right back up.
I am exasperated as I can't get a good night's sleep and I hate for him to be unhappy. We also just got new downstairs neighbors and I am concerned they are going to be upset with the noise. I have heard them stirring a little after Gus has started up.
I'm really surprised at his behavior, in Texas he was my outgoing cat, would always greet strangers and other visitors at the door, etc, but now he is the opposite. We lived in a house in Texas for a year with another person, multiple cats and a small dog, and Gus was fine with all of them. He didn't love the dog playing with him, but he knew hot to get away from her.
I would appreciate any suggestions for how to help him. Thanks very much in advance!
I have tried to transition Gus slowly, mainly keeping him in my room. There's one other kitty, Milo, and we have been very slow in introducing them. Milo was upset in the very beginning but is now very mellow and wants to play with Gus. Gus is having none of it. He will either hiss and back away or run into the closet. It's very disconcerting. I think Gus may be very upset, he grew up with my other cat, Max. But I couldn't find anyone who would let me move in here in Portland with more than one pet. Luckily, some really awesome friends of a friend wanted Max and he is in a happy home. But Gus just isn't adjusting. We have been here since June 3rd.
To make things worse, I work swing shift and usually get home a little before midnight, then usually I am in bed around 1 a.m. Once I go to bed, Gus goes crazy, running around scratching on all the walls and chirping(doesn't really have a regular meow). I have tried playing with him with toys before bed, he has a scratcher, I give him food and treats, give him lots of cuddling. The windows in my room are sort of high up but I will put him up in the window a couple of times so he can look out. I carefully tested and he is able to get down just fine.
Nothing works, he just keeps going crazy and I get no sleep. I have tried spraying him with a water bottle, but it only stops him for a second, then he starts right back up.
I am exasperated as I can't get a good night's sleep and I hate for him to be unhappy. We also just got new downstairs neighbors and I am concerned they are going to be upset with the noise. I have heard them stirring a little after Gus has started up.
I'm really surprised at his behavior, in Texas he was my outgoing cat, would always greet strangers and other visitors at the door, etc, but now he is the opposite. We lived in a house in Texas for a year with another person, multiple cats and a small dog, and Gus was fine with all of them. He didn't love the dog playing with him, but he knew hot to get away from her.
I would appreciate any suggestions for how to help him. Thanks very much in advance!