Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all, my girlfriend just adopted 2 female siamese cats from a local shelter here in NYC last thursday. She has some experience with cats but is by no means an expert, and I am a dog person(have had poodles my whole life), so I'm really clueless when it comes to cats. These particular cats had 2 other siamese with them at the shelter, and we're assuming they're related. They are about 3 years old and were extremely abused at there old residence. They were abused and starved by there former owner, and weigh 5 and a half pounds(they should weigh around 10). Because of this, they are EXTREMELY skiddish and we're having some problems that are making us wonder if these cats are the right ones for my GF. One cat, Tammy, is extremely curious and wanders around the house, and the other, Georgia is so scared she generally just stays hidden. They both seem really sweet, but won't let us within 3 or 4 feet of them without running away(we generally dont even try, just attempting to let them feel more at home with us). When we first got them, they seemed extremely affectionate with each other. However, Tammy has been very aggressive towards Georgia the last few days and we don't have any idea of why. Thats problem #1. Problem #2 is Georgia (we think) doesn't seem that interested in the litter box sometimes, and I feel like it might be connected to how scared she is. Problem #3 is the distance they want to keep from us. Does anyone have any advice on any of these problems? We'd like nothing more then to give these poor cats a beautiful life but we're just not sure how to go about it exactly. Most concerning is the aggression Tammy's been showing towards Georgia, and it doesn't really make any sense to us. Help! Any and all advice would be GREATLY

For your girlfriends first cats she took on a lot.
The first thing you need to do is isolate the cats from one another because of the aggression. Are you able to do that?
Lock one in a bedroom or bathroom probably Georgia would be best since she is having litter box issues. Give her food and water. Also try buying cat attract litter. Does your girlfriend have three litter boxes. The rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one extra.

For them being skiddish around you. When Tammy is in a room with you ignore her. Every so often throw her a yummy treat. I found my cats love (8 of them) Whiska Crunchies. Do this every so often, but throw them closer to you but all the time ignore Tammy.
As to Georgia work on her litter box problem first.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

From your post, I really can't tell if Georgia and Tammy are siblings. Even if they are, sometimes that bond is broken and they don't recognize each other.

To make the two cats more acceptable of you..........ignore them and let them make the first move, which is what they will do if you ignore them. I have two very active grandchildren and this is the advice that I give to them. It works!! My 12 year old grandson ignores them and none of my four runs from him but rather seeks him out for attention when they want it.

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!