Immigration hate crime – can’t we just get along?

Cat on a window

Second in a series

The combatants were in their corners; the cacophony of cussing and the hurling of insults had ended.  Somehow, each cat was remarkably unscathed. Their well-intentioned humans, on the other hand, suffered blood loss, although relatively minor.

Richard and Karen had made the common mistake of hoping for a Disney ending to a complex behavior challenge. Their plan had  been to quickly and easily integrate Moe into Larry’s and Curley’s lives. They’d had cats for years and had never seen this problem. Couldn’t everybody just join paws around the campfire and sing kumbaya? Their emotions in tatters, they called my office to report a hate crime.

Our consultation began with me listening carefully as Karen and Richard vented their frustration and grief. Was there any hope? I explained that cats can quickly associate intense fear and hostility with just the sight of an adversary. They had done the right thing by immediately separating their pugilists, making it possible for them to start the long process of abandoning their animosity. I made it clear that we don’t succeed in every case but there had only been one knockdown, drag out. If they followed instructions and proceeded slowly, we had a chance.

Moe, it turned out, was not the only alien. For years, a neighbor cat skulked in the yard, sauntering past the windows and occasionally leaping onto a windowsill to leer at the feline occupants. She must have been disappointed. Rather than rushing the glass, hissing and spitting like some besieged indoor kitties, Larry and Curly shrunk into their under-the-furniture lairs. Moe’s arrival was the last straw for these frightened, xenophobic isolationists.

Larry struggled most. He imploded with any visitor; delivery people sent him diving for cover. As we pealed back the layers of this behavioral onion I learned that he growled and sometimes lunged at Curley for the audacity of moseying past while he was eating or sleeping. What a grouch!

There was more. Physical exams were essentially normal with the exception of Larry’s…

Next week: Could the neighbor cat stay home? Should Moe pack his bags?

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in-person and in groups by Zoom (drjeffnichol.com). Each week he shares a blog and a video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions through my website, drjeffnichol.com/contact/ or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.