Behavioural problem or ill health? Please help

[Crystyclear]

I have a 12+ yr old long haired moggy who is FIV positive and doesn't go outside. He has a needy and bossy personality, but his long-suffering play companion died at Christmas and I've just had a baby.

Recently he has begun to scratch at my bedroom door, pulling up the carpet when it's closed, whether i'm in there with the baby or I'm out. I've taped a mat in front of the door, but he can still pull it up and does!

He also bites me when the baby cries.

Two days ago he decided for the first time to eat the lower leaves of my Dracaena plant, which is mildy toxic for cats. He subsequently had diarrhoea and was off his food the following day. Appetite is now mostly returned.

And just an hour ago, he crapped on the carpet and then dragged his butt across the floor. I've just given him some wormer in case that's the problem here.

So, does anyone have any clues as to whether he might be poorly, stressed, or needs some behavioural retraining (and if so, how) and what I might do to make him feel and behave better.

thanks in advance.

sounds like it might be a bit of both.
he has had an awful lot of upset in his life just recently and he may well be struggling to cope with it all.
worming him was a good start but i would pop along to your vet and just get him checked over to make sure nothing else is going wrong (cats with FIV often are suceptible to other problems). if they give him a clean bill of health you could ask about Zylkene, its a new drug especially designed to help cats overcome these stressful situations and it really does work.

the other option is to try a feliway diffuser, they release a pheromone substance which helps to calm cats and they can be really effective when used properly. if you ask there may well be one of the nurses at your clinic who can give you some advice tailored to your specific cat.

just an idea but i would make him a nice bed outside your bedroom door for those times when he is not allowed inside. a decent sized cardboard box will do with one of your (worn) tshirts or jumpers in it.

try to make sure he had somewhere to retreat to when the baby cries as i obviously upsets him, a high perch in another room (mine love to be on top of the kitchen cupboards) or under a bed in a room as far away from the beby as possible.

but talk to your vet, they will be able to help
good luck with it.

thanks for the advice. have made him up two comfy beds. baby sleeping more in the evenings now, so can give the cat back some fussing time too!

The Zylkene stuff is brill - and if he won't eat wet food/realises it's been drugged, they also have a Royal Canin "Calm" dry food which has it in too.

Is the cat "your" cat, rather than a family cat? If so, he probably hates that all his snuggle time is being nicked by this small, noisy, smelly thing. Make sure both you and your partner spend time with him, especially when the baby is crying or stressing him out.

Was he allowed in the bedroom before and is he now not allowed in the bedroom? Unfortunately cats don't really understand rule changes too well.

Butt dragging suggests a gland problem - sorry, but it's a vet visit for him!