Conference misery::feline

    Yup, sounds like cabin fever alright!  Many indoor/outdoor cats are not
    happy when the weather becomes inclement and forces them to stay
    inside.  I remember back when I lived with TK and Nikki (hubby got
    custody; I kept the 3 indoor only cats); they would look at me like it
    was all my fault that there was snow on the ground and the air too cold
    to tolerate.
    
    This time of year is hard on the animals that love being outdoors. 
    They don't realize you are doing what is best for them... they would
    rather believe you are trying to torture them by keeping them in!!
    
    -Roberta
    

    Thanks, Roberta.  That sure sounds like the situation.  Although I
    *offered* to let Sammy out several times, and he'd poke his nose out,
    see that it *wasn't* summer yet, and run for cover under the sofa!! 
    After his airing out yesterday, he seemed much better last night.  Now
    that there is a place for them to walk and it isn't *too* cold, they
    can all have a recess.

    Hmmm, well, I do know a of couple of cats who get a little nasty when 
    they are kept inside due to bad weather or whatever, but they are not 
    sweet tempered under the best of conditions. (These are not my cats;
    mine are indoor-only.) I guess it's possible that Sammy had cabin 
    fever, but since you say he is normally gentle and not agressive, 
    I would suspect that he might have been in pain. Perhaps he had an 
    injury, a sore tooth, cystitis,...? Maybe you could check him over 
    for scabs, bites, or sore spots. Have you noticed any other abnormal 
    behavior? If he does it again you might consider calling the vet and 
    maybe having the vet check him out. Sammy's attacking you sounds a 
    little extreme.

    Another thought -- have there been any other cats around your house 
    lately? My cat Peanut (neutered male) is very territorial but gets 
    along well with my other cats 99% of the time. There used to be a 
    tom cat in the neighborhood that would come around our house, spray 
    on the bushes, and sometimes jump at the livingroom window and cling 
    to the screen. Peanut would get very agressive when this tom came 
    around and would attack his "sibling" Cubby, also a neutered male. 
    But Peanut has never been agressive toward me or anyone else. 

    Are Bandit and Patches also "fixed"? If not, that can cause problems
    in a feline family. 

    Hope you can solve the mystery!

    Linda + 8

    Re: 3
    
    Thanks for your informative response!
    
    Now that I think of it, a male, positively feral, but in any event
    hungry, has been on our porch off and on over the last couple of weeks. 
    He always strikes a ferocious clamor with our cats, but mostly with
    Bandit who is as yet unfixed, and not so much with Sammy.  Of course, I
    don't frequent the low undergirth of porches or hang out in bushes, and
    at night it's a little difficult to tell who is hissing at whom!
    
    But that could be a possible explanation.  Plus the fact that Bandit is
    unfixed and Sammy *DID* attack him outright.  I keep forgetting the
    territorial thing, and also the jealousy factor.  Sam has always been
    my *baby* and these two other interlopers do not make him happy. 
    Isolating them inside (cellar) is not a choice for me; my husband
    prefers them not to be in the celllar--too much chance for havoc. 
    
    Also, appreciate your advice on the illness or injury.  He seems ok to
    the touch and his appetite is good, but I'll have his vet check him out
    in his upcoming visit.

    Re: 4--Oops, I meant to say "possibly" feral, not "positively" feral. 
    And I am feeding him.  We call him Mr. Moustache--he's gorgeous BTW.

    One nice thing about Feline, different people have different experiences, 
    so you get a variety of opinions. 

    Have you noticed any of your cats spraying in the house? I'd get Bandit 
    fixed pronto... this situation sounds like it could easily escalate 
    into a big spraying problem. 

    Do I hear a hint of the gorgeous Mr. Moustache becoming cat #4? When 
    you name 'em, you know it's serious! :-) 

    Linda

    Please note, this is to be used in an emergency only.
    
    Cabin Fever:  Take one piece of string, place on the end a shiny 
    piece of toffy paper.  Move to a house where you can run from one room
    to another, pref. in a circle.  Place one end of string on floor and
    other end in moma's hand.  Moma run like a loonie round and round until
    both cats and mommy are exhausted.  Do this three times a day and that
    should take care of cabin fever.
    
    Hopfully cats will follow toffy paper, if not................?

    We also had cabin fever at my house...but with 9 cats and one
    stray dog that was in my cellar. (that's another story)   My poor
    cats were in panic mode everytime the dog barked...but yet they
    didn't want to go out because of all the snow!!!!
    
    I laugh with the string trick...and it truly does work...but it's
    a riot running room to room with atleast 7 cats following you fighting
    over the string!!!  I almost started a world war III!
    
    Sandy                                               

    Cabin fever - definitely!  We had the major snow storm a couple of
    weeks ago and my male was actually staulking his sister (not real
    sister - and yes, they're both indoor/outdoor cats.)  The he actually
    started climbing the walls and zooming up and down the stairs.  It was
    like someone dropped acid in his food.  I couldn't believe it!  When he
    was getting to unruly on poor Alice I gave him a tap on his behind and
    told him to behave!  He didn't like that too much and actually attacked
    me!  Hands and chest!  That was it!  I was so mad at him I clipped his
    nails and put him downstairs for awhile.  Next day when he could go out
    all was fine.  I've NEVER seen him like that before except when I've
    rescued a couple of strays.  Most DEFINITELY cabin fever!

    Thank you all for your responses!  The aftermath to my ordeal with
    Sammy was that after he was allowed to be an indoor/OUTDOOR cat again,
    he's back to his gentle, purring, non-aggressive self.  
    
    .9--I can relate totally.  It is STARTLING to have one personality
    change so totally and suddently into another.  I almost wondered if he
    was sick; but feel pretty confident from all the responses that it was
    just another case of "stuck in the house" fever!!
    
    I wonder what those of you with all indoor cats endure?  Or are they
    content because they've never been out?

    Re: .10
    
    My guys seem very happy being indoors, after the initial couple
    of weeks of adjustment.  

    I only have one cat that attempts to go outdoors.  I believe that this
    is because she is an ex-feral.  All of the others are perfectly content
    staying inside.
    
    holly