Most cats with Tarzan Syndrome are aggressive toward other cats. They will defend themselves from the cat you are trying to introduce because they never learned to interact with their own species. They instinctively tell the new cat to back off or else!
But don't worry, during their development, both kittens will also bond to family members in addition to each other. If you're unable to adopt two kittens, providing a safe space, plenty of environmental enrichment and appropriate, interactive play will help prevent the development of Single Kitten “Syndrome” behaviors.
Kittens who are raised as only cats have an increased chance of developing various behavioral problems later in life. This includes biting people as they walk away, avoiding the litter box, and destructive behavior like scratching furniture.
Only cats are typically poorly socialized and much more aggressive to most anyone in their life. We commonly refer to these cats as having “only child syndrome” or “Tarzan”; they do not know what to do with another cat when faced with it years later.
Anxiety and stress seem to add to a cat's hyperesthetic reaction, so a treatment plan will often include some behavioral aspects to minimize these. This might include medications to affect behavior and/or establishing a routine to minimize stress associated with change for your cat.
The three main classes of medications used to treat FHS are SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and benzodiazepines. When using any of these medications in cats, it is best to begin at the lower end of the dose range, then titrate upward as needed to achieve the desired response.
The short answer is no. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cats can have autism. However, cats can exhibit behaviors that are similar to those seen in humans with autism. One of the defining characteristics of autism is a lack of social interaction.
Book details
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome takes a playful look at Asperger Syndrome (AS), drawing inspiration from the feline world in a way that will strike a chord with all those who are familiar with AS.
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
Fading Kitten Syndrome refers to a kitten's failure to thrive during the period between birth and when they wean from their mother or from a bottle for hand-fed kittens. This period lasts about four to five weeks (when a kitten is most vulnerable to sickness).
Your kittens might enjoy having an affectionate grooming and napping partner. As well as having someone to play with and learn from, siblings can also offer affection to each other. By rehoming in pairs, your new kitten will have someone to clean or to clean them as well as someone to cuddle during nap time.
SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: Acting like a kittenzilla, destructiveness, crying/constant meowing, scratching, biting, aggression, lack of sleep, more time spent training, and more. Single kittens are the #1 most returned animal at sanctuaries and shelters nationwide!
Single Kitten Syndrome is the reason that, like many other organizations, we ask for kittens under 6 months to go home in pairs.
Generally, it's pretty uncommon for cats to have just one kitten, but it's nothing to be concerned about if it happens to your cat.
Cats with autism often exhibit repetitive behaviors like pacing or spinning, excessive vocalization and having trouble adapting to change. They may also display signs of anxiety including hiding, avoiding human contact and being extremely sensitive to external stimuli.
While some vets and animal experts seem to agree that cats can get ADHD, the condition isn't recognized by all. Cats can exhibit symptoms or personality and behavioral traits that are often linked to ADHD in humans, especially human children.
Cats, like humans, can have mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Although cats cannot vocally express their feelings, their behavior, and physical signs might provide information about their mental health.
All kittens are born with loose ligaments which tighten up as they grow in their first days and weeks. Sometimes, though, those ligaments don't tighten properly, and can cause the legs to splay laterally in a frog-like or swimmer position. Kittens born with swimmer syndrome are unable to walk on affected limbs.
"Crazy cat-lady syndrome" is a term coined by news organizations to describe scientific findings that link the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to several mental disorders and behavioral problems.
Smell Transfer
Cats recognize each other (and us) by scent. Raising the butt is your cat's way of getting their anal glands closer to your nose so you can get a whiff of their pheromones. This is how cats introduce themselves to other cats.
These cats act as though they have pain from simply being petted, especially along their lower back. Their skin seems to twitch as if they are irritated just by the air currents passing over them. Some cats will attack their tails or even go running through the house screaming.
Wrapping the cat in a towel while comforting and cradling it can help during an episode. Some people have found that giving the cat dried catnip herb can also have a calming effect. An approximate dose of ¼ teaspoon of dried catnip in the morning and early evening may help, although some cats don't respond to catnip.
Diseases that cause itching can trigger hyperesthesia. Allergy to pollen, food, fleas or mites are possibilities. Cats with skin allergies are treated with steroids, usually prednisolone, and any parasites the cat is reacting to should be eliminated. Cats with food allergy may need a special diet.