It's a long shot ..

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.. but I would really like to see Abby stop being so aggressive.  The first and only, time she ever went to the vet was to get spayed.  Basically they had to wrap her in a towel and treat her like a feral cat because she can't be handled like any other house cat.  She doesn't walk around the house and just attack people.  But if she is perched somewhere and someone walks by - inside what she considers her territory or comfort zone, she swats or snaps at them.  She's like a cobra, and just as fast, I swear.  And she doesn't just nip to deliver a message, she bites down and I don't know how to explain it - only lets up a little to bite down harder, and she kind of grinds her teeth against bone she hits.  Sort of like someone plunging a knife and twisting it to do maximum damage.  


Anyway.


Mostly we have just given Abby her space, never forced affection on her, never tried to crowd her or make her interact if she doesn't want to.  But I would like her to enjoy being around people and other cats - or at least tolerate them better.  I am pretty sure she would be a candidate for kitty anti-depressants, yes they do give them to animals, but I really don't want to be on the giving end of anything that goes into her mouth.  Besides, thyroid meds for Riley are inexpensive.  Prozac for kitties?  A heck of a lot more.  At least I think so.  


Today I put a collar on Abby.  First one she has ever worn.  See that tiny bit of purple under her chin?  Yeah, collar.  Not sure how on earth I managed to do it without getting teeth marks in my skin - I can only guess that she simply had no idea what I was doing.  

It's a pheromone collar, designed to "calm" her.  They are recommended for cats with anxiety issues, separation anxiety, aggression .. AGGRESSION??  I'm IN!  Although I'm not sure they are meant for cats who just have tortitude, but I think Abby's disposition is a bit more than a tortie with an attitude.  From the testimonials I have read it takes at least a few days to as long as a week to see a difference and I am willing to wait.  If it works I will buy one every month for the rest of her life because it will improve her life, as well as sparing me some spilled blood.  Because I can't imagine she's a happy cat.  And I would like her to be.


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