The kitten & cat thread
01-25-2016, 04:09 PM
#2762
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 638
Total Cats: 76
So the wife and I are considering picking up a kitteh from the rescue this week. We already have a 10 year old who's a sweetheart but he's getting a bit grumpy and hissy s he gets older. He never miss behaves (for a cat) and is generally very independent but a joy. Anyway, the wife mentioned that he's seemingly a little grumpy and the Vet suggested maybe getting him a friend. FWIW, we make sure to play with Marvin every day. He's fed on a strict schedule and we are very careful to only give him good attention and lots of it.
We're thinking of getting a kitten (2-6 months) to ensure that Marvin (the 10 yr old) can dominate and to try and minimize on hissing/pissing matches. There is a 2yr old at the rescue that is super sweet, but I'm concerned about getting a cat that could challenge and usurp the thrown immediately.
I really want another cat, but if it changes the demeanor of our existing king of household that's going to f#$@ things up for me royally. Marvin has been with my wife through college and his her BFF.
We got one of those pheromone plugin things at the direction of our vet. He told us even though they seem like snake oil, they do actually work. We're planning on doing a slow 5-6 day introduction by having the kitten live in the office and then slowly introducing them.
I'm just looking for general advice to those of you with an older cat that have introduced another into the mix. If anyone has any comments I would be appreciative.
We're thinking of getting a kitten (2-6 months) to ensure that Marvin (the 10 yr old) can dominate and to try and minimize on hissing/pissing matches. There is a 2yr old at the rescue that is super sweet, but I'm concerned about getting a cat that could challenge and usurp the thrown immediately.
I really want another cat, but if it changes the demeanor of our existing king of household that's going to f#$@ things up for me royally. Marvin has been with my wife through college and his her BFF.
We got one of those pheromone plugin things at the direction of our vet. He told us even though they seem like snake oil, they do actually work. We're planning on doing a slow 5-6 day introduction by having the kitten live in the office and then slowly introducing them.
I'm just looking for general advice to those of you with an older cat that have introduced another into the mix. If anyone has any comments I would be appreciative.
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01-25-2016, 04:47 PM
#2763
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,493
Total Cats: 4,080
Our six and ten year olds took just fine to Pookie -- took like 3 days to completely be normal.
When we got Hobbes in 2007 when Belle was ~5, she hissed at him a lot but took all his abuse like a champ. Then one day she decided he was old enough to take a beating and he never messed with her ever again. Hobbes was with her, completely concerned, with a big ol bushy tail, at her last moments...
I'd get one under 1yr to introduce to an older one. And probably look for a girl.
When we got Hobbes in 2007 when Belle was ~5, she hissed at him a lot but took all his abuse like a champ. Then one day she decided he was old enough to take a beating and he never messed with her ever again. Hobbes was with her, completely concerned, with a big ol bushy tail, at her last moments...
I'd get one under 1yr to introduce to an older one. And probably look for a girl.
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02-10-2016, 04:38 PM
#2775
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: QLD, 'straya
Posts: 171
Total Cats: 36
Its been hot here so mostly there has been lots of this:
After a year Jiji is still trying to find ways out of the enclosure, he climbs up the inside of the net to the top corner... I think I've plugged all the gaps now.
Kaya is still the most sensible one.
After a year Jiji is still trying to find ways out of the enclosure, he climbs up the inside of the net to the top corner... I think I've plugged all the gaps now.
Kaya is still the most sensible one.
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02-10-2016, 06:42 PM
#2776
Elite Member
iTrader: (37)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Very NorCal
Posts: 10,441
Total Cats: 1,899
> A wild kitty appeared!
She blew in a couple weeks ago during the last big storm we had. She sat outside and meowed and drove our indoor kitty Lola a little nuts, but she hasn't really gone away. We've been calling her 'Other Kitty' simply because we had no idea of her gender or ownership. No collar so probably a stray. I'm guessing she is very young, probably no more than a year or two. Very petite slender build, very much like Lola when she was 1-2 years old before she started to fill out as an adult.
I found her in the trash can last week so I took pity and gave her some food. It's taken me about a week but I've finally earned her trust to where she will eat out of my hand and headbutt me for pets. She's still not comfortable with me initiating the petting, but she's getting there. My wife informed me today that she tried to follow her into the house a couple times. Something tells me I may have 'earned' a new cat
She blew in a couple weeks ago during the last big storm we had. She sat outside and meowed and drove our indoor kitty Lola a little nuts, but she hasn't really gone away. We've been calling her 'Other Kitty' simply because we had no idea of her gender or ownership. No collar so probably a stray. I'm guessing she is very young, probably no more than a year or two. Very petite slender build, very much like Lola when she was 1-2 years old before she started to fill out as an adult.
I found her in the trash can last week so I took pity and gave her some food. It's taken me about a week but I've finally earned her trust to where she will eat out of my hand and headbutt me for pets. She's still not comfortable with me initiating the petting, but she's getting there. My wife informed me today that she tried to follow her into the house a couple times. Something tells me I may have 'earned' a new cat
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02-10-2016, 08:04 PM
#2778
Elite Member
iTrader: (37)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Very NorCal
Posts: 10,441
Total Cats: 1,899
^^ Indeed.
Once she gets a little more comfortable with us, I'll betray her trust and take her to the vet to check checked out and probably spayed and vaccinated. She goes no where near Lola and there will be no cross contamination of kitty things until the vet gives her a clean bill of health, no matter how sweet she may be.
Once she gets a little more comfortable with us, I'll betray her trust and take her to the vet to check checked out and probably spayed and vaccinated. She goes no where near Lola and there will be no cross contamination of kitty things until the vet gives her a clean bill of health, no matter how sweet she may be.
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