Need Advice From My Pet Friends, Especially Cat Owners
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
November 30, 2010 8:07pm CST
It would seem strange that here I am asking for advice about pets, since I've been surrounded by cats/pets ever since I was five...actually even younger since when even as a baby my parents had dogs, so you would think I wouldn't need advice but I do.
As many of my friends know here at MyLot, back on April 19th, my beloved black kitty Pyewacket passed on to Rainbow Bridge, and yes while it's been months now I'm still devastated since he died in my arms. After he died I watched my other cat Kissy like a hawk, not so much due to perhaps unexpected health problems, but I was more concerned about her feeling perhaps grief also for losing her furry companion. Now the two weren't exactly chummy, in fact, Pyewacket was the attention grabber, he wanted my attention ALL to himself. If I talked to Kissy, no matter where he was, he'd literally come running over and push Kissy aside---also every once in awhile he'd actually bully her a bit, so number one, Kissy never got the attention she should have gotten, and since Pyewacket kind of kept her in her place, Kissy was a timid cat. Still--I've been watching Kissy for any signs of "grief" and really don't see any.
I mention the "grief" part since many many years ago, say around the 1970s I had about four or five cats. One cat was Mickey, who wasn't exactly chummy with his furbaby companions. That all changed when we got another cat, Tommy. Well these two bonded like brothers, and in all the years of having cats, I never saw a bond as tight as these two cats. Now zoom up many years. One night very late around 3:30 A.M. Tommy died suddenly. Almost immediately, I began to notice a behavior change in Mickey...he was lethargic, morose and within a month's time he too died, and I can't help thinking from grief due to his furry companion dying as Mickey had no health problems.
So when Pyewacket died, I watched Kissy like a hawk to see if there were any signs of depression or grief as well---All I can say, no, I haven't. In fact if anything, Kissy seems to be basking in the glory of being number one kitty and is now the attention grabber herself. In fact, so much so, that she has a habit of jumping up on my computer desk as if to say "Okay 'mom' enough time in front of that dang computer...pay attention to me." So of course, I have to stop everything...first of all I can't see a blasted thing anyway since she gets in front of the monitor and will sometimes sit on the keyboard.
The thing is....eventually I want to adopt another cat, and hopefully another black cat like Pyewacket. I've had black cats all my life and unlike most people who think black cats are bad luck, I on the other hand would think it bad luck NOT to have a black cat. I sort of have a cat already picked out as well whom I can adopt from a foster. His name is Nicky and he's a two year old black cat. But.........
I've held off since his behavior is described as "timid" just as Kissy was (she's not so timid now). I'm still having to have more repair work done in my apt. and the idea of having noisy repairmen tramping about might spook the "newcomer" no end, so one of the reasons I've been holding off. I have these "visions" that while the repairmen are traipsing in and out of my apt, Nicky might make a bee-line and run out the door.
The second reason for holding off....Kissy. She's gotten so used to being numero uno I'm wondering how she'll react. It's been a LONG time since I've had to go through the process of introducing a new furbaby--yes, I know I can expect some hissing and growling until both cats get used to each other and will have to give it patient time. But I'm also wondering how it might affect Kissy. Since she's number one now, will she be the "pushy" one to a newcomer, the way Pyewacket was pushy to her? Will she feel hurt that I dared to get another cat? Will she sink back into the timid state or become more aggressive.
So folks any advice how to handle this. I'm DYING to get another cat--I realize it will be an adjustment period for all of us, me, Kissy and "Nicky" (or whomever I adopt) but wonder how to handle it
None pet people might think I'm daft for even meaning the possible "psychological" issues, but I know my pet friends will understand what I mean
For those of you who have pets...did you notice any negative changes in behavior of the "older" pets you had when you introduced a furry newcomer?
Helllppp
7 people like this
14 responses
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Dec 10
I would agree that having the repairmen working in your apartment a lot if a good reason to hold off adopting for now (how long will they be working?)
Kissy's reaction to a new cat could go both ways. When I found my cat and brought her home ALL the other ones bullied her, even my sweetest cat Duncan. But now Duncan and her love each other and they play all the time. They love chasing each other, it's cute to watch! So Kissy may bully a newcomer at first, but grow to like them.
Or you may get lucky and she'll like them right away.
I do have a cat that doesn't like anyone (people included lol) but it doesn't sound like Kissy has that problem. So it doesn't sound like she'll be a permanent problem for a new cat.
If you have any PetSmarts around you, you can bring Kissy in to meet the shelter cat's they keep in PetSmart stores. That way you'll know before you adopt one that they will get along (that is, if you don't adopt Nicky)
**I love owning black cats! Duncan is a long haired black cat, super beautiful and super sweet! I think black cats (and dogs, who also have a negative image to some) are the most beautiful, sleekest looking pets.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Dec 10
I have no idea how much longer I'll have the repair work done...seems forever
Well I'm certainly hoping that I'll get lucky and that there might be an instant bonding right away. Kissy is still timid though around other people save for me of course and she grew up with a lot of other cats when I had more. It's just a different circumstance now that she's numero uno so have no idea what to expect when I introduce another cat to her.
Would you believe there are no Petsmarts or Petcos near me?
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
1 Dec 10
Well since she's used to living with other cats it won't be a huge surprise for her if you bring another home. And if you luck out and get one who's personality will match Kissy's.
Oh my gosh! I don't believe it! lol. Where do you live!?!? Do the animal rescues/shelters let you bring your own pet to meet a potential adoptable newcomer?
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Dec 10
Nicky is being fostered by a pet rescuer and it'll be the other way around...first I'll have to be screened though I already filled out the application and then the foster of Nicky will "visit" me...if things go all right she'll be bringing Nicky to me--I'm here in the Queens area of NYC
@DarlingGirl (745)
• United States
18 Dec 10
Hi, Pyewacket!
I've been gone for ages, but am back on the MyLot trail again. Hi, friend!
You're not going to believe this, but I've grown my kitty family from four to...13. Many came from the last apt. I was in, and four (now two) are kittens.
I'm going out of my mind caring for all these furries. ;)
You situation is an easy one. Usually a lone kitty will get quite angry when you bring in a newcomer, unless it's a kitten relating to an immature/just recently gone into heat female. You can expect lots of hissing and anger, but when bedtime comes, offer one cat one side of the bed, and the other will usually find the opposing side. Once they're sleeping on the same bed and eating within a resonable distance (say, three feet of each other) you'll be on good ground. Sharing cat boxes (MAKE SURE YOU GET ANOTHER FOR THE NEW CAT!) will help, and they will do it to sniff each other out. Sooner or later one of them may try to take dominance, and there might be a little fur flying during that time. I have cats that still stare at each other and do the "You move first!" game, chasing each other around the house. As they get to know one-another, the chasing and hissing will slow down.
Your female might just go for the new arrival and welcome it with open arms, especially if she's interested in motherhood. My kittens were having a rough time after their mother started weaning them. She was hissing and swatting at them when they went for her teat. Here's the strange thing: one of my other young females started warming up to them, sleeping with them, and is now offering her teats to them even though she hasn't any milk. You might say she's getting addicted to all the attention and the warmth of curling up with two adorable kitties!
So it can go either way, but in the end, you're the master. A house with only two kitties (even if small) will do fine. Just be patient and they'll figure it out themselves.
@DarlingGirl (745)
• United States
19 Dec 10
Yep, I'd say just goferit! Oh, the furbabies are a joy and a nightmare. ;) My legs look like a war zone. Simba and Bog (female and male)do what I call an "Indiana Jones" and leap on my legs to see what I'm cooking! It's a war zone in the kitchen!
And "Bush" (the female foster-mom nicknamed 'cause her tail is bushy)constantly walks around the house trying to herd the kittens to her, calling and sighing, and being generally annoying. She's also taken to playing fetch, and will not leave us alone. Whether or not she had a mouse, she grabs anything she can carry to give us to throw for her. Like a golden retreiver, she refuses to give up the game! My young (11 year old) and forever kitten, Kai, has taken to going outside and then returning to the back door, crying to get in. We play this game over and over - in, out, in, out! I need a pet door! Oh, the insanity.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Dec 10
Wow--it HAS been a long time since I've seen you here and wondered what happened to you.
Well Kissy is eleven years old so I don't think she has the motherly instinct to her anymore and the cat I'm thinking of getting, a male cat (neutered) is about two years old--also the good thing about this cat is that the foster has other cats under her wing that she's caring for, so it won't be like Nicky will have to adjust to another cat, more like the other way around with Kissy adjusting, but who knows, since she was surrounded by cats (used to have more) maybe the adjustment won't be so bad....guess there's only one way to find out and go for it, right?
And congrats to all your furbabies...
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
10 Dec 10
I more than understand where you are coming from here because I'm in almost the same place.
As you know, I lost my humphrey on sept 27th and it has really levelled me. I still cry almost every day.
I have another cat here who was Humphrey's constant companion for six years and I expected him to be devastated also but he is holding up pretty well. A lot better than I am it seems but maybe he just hides his grief well.
I know that I just am not ready for a new friend right now but sooner or later I will be if for no other reason than to give a little friend to Pheesh. (He's the same age now as Humphrey was when we presented him to the Humph)
I'm going to let it go until Spring when I think I may be ready to have another kitty. Hopefully one will find me by that time. I was offered a beautiful little kitten a few weeks ago but it just seemed too much like trying to replace my irreplacable little friend at that time and I couldn't do it.
Funny what you say about having another black cat. As a child I always had black cats. In fact, I only wanted cat pets that were entirely black. Not even a litttle white under the chin was acceptable. Don't even know why. But at this point I olny want another striped cat that looks like my darling Humphrey. I've already decided that he will be called Bogart. (Humphrey's full name was Humpherey Bogart II and we called him Humphrey. His father was Humphrey Bogart and we called him Bogie. The next cat will be Humphrey Bogart III and we will call him Bogart)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Dec 10
It's been eight months since Pyewacket passed to Rainbow Bridge and am still devastated, so I understand how you feel about the loss of Humphrey--I've loved all my cats but some I think touch our hearts more.
I might be waiting until next year to get a new kitty...I have one more major repair that needs to be done, and now since I have my Christmas decorations up I don't want clumsy repairmen trudging around, and yes they are klutzes, especially my super LOL
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
1 Dec 10
well..nebbie had a major bug up her butt last time,BUT i think that was more due to me springing 3 new arrivals almost at once than new cat in general.three is a lot to ask all of a sudden,but it was an emergency,so..
kissy may do absolutely nothing other than the initial "who are you"? phase.
she may claim it as "her kitten".you never know with females.
if nicky's from a foster host,i would ask them for a blanket of his or something and see what she does with the scent.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Dec 10
I've already filled the application and emailed the foster person...the next step would be for her to come over to check me out...that idea of bringing a blanket that Nicky might sleep on is a good idea
@celticeagle (168369)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Dec 10
I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it here. The older cat was more timid for a while and hid away to nap. But, as I recall, that stopped after a period of time. I think the sooner you get Nick and get them both aclimated to one another they will be fine. Hope it all works out for you.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Dec 10
Thanks--I'm hoping it works too...still want to wait until after all the repairs are done though
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@celticeagle (168369)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Dec 10
I bet they will be fine. Are you getting them stockings for Christmas? My daughter did for her cat. SHe has a beautiful black cat names Sabbath. Yellow eyed handsome cat. He is a spoiled feline(brat).
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Dec 10
Mmmmm--how would I borrow a cat? I think what I'll have to do, once all those repairs are down and things settle down is to just see about adopting a cat--the foster that I plan to adopt from does have a policy that if things don't work out I can return the cat...would kind of hate to do that though
@BarBaraPrz (47683)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Dec 10
The only thing I can suggest is to bring Nicky over for a visit or two first before making a commitment.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 10
Since the foster person has a policy, if things don't work out I can return Nicky (or whichever cat I adopt from her)
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
1 Dec 10
As you well know I haven't been on the "Lot" too much of late. I have been busily working my tail off getting ready for a major craft show on Saturday. Starting with I finished nearly 300 elastic bracelets for my bracelet tree. This discussion had me put aside my work for a few minutes.
I have a Lynx Point Siamese, Murphy, who is the grand dame' of the house. She is 16.5 years old and lives up to the name Murphy (my favorite character on Murphy Brown). She was the only cat for 7 years, and when Dinglebeary came into the house she wasn't happy at all. She still doesn't like Ding Ding too much. When he gets too close she growls and spits at him when he gets too close. Then two years ago I adopted two flame point Siamese, all of you know very well, by the names of Willy and Khuay. Murphy took to those two very well. Ding Ding also accepted their addition to the family extremely well, and he loves playing with the pair.
One of the best things I learned was to expect the new arrivals and the existing members with seniority to get along. It works. The other thing I do is to treat all of them the same way and not show favoritism. If there is disagreements I don't butt in unless they are getting really rough.
Before I let Willy and Khuay lose in the house full time, I kept them in a large crate away from Murphy and Ding Ding. That gave them time to regroup from the day's activities and to see that the new arrivals weren't going to take over their place. Also if Willy or Khuay started a battle with either Murph or Ding Ding, they got time out in the crate. I did do one important thing for the four cats, I gave Willy and Khuay their own litter box until they got thoroughly accepted by the other two cats. Then I bought one huge box (it's for mixing cement by hand for brick work etc. It's about 25" long by 22 inches wide.) They are really great about sharing the box...except that first thing in the morning there is a line up for use of the toilet.
You aren't daft for worrying about the psychological issues with introducing new family members into your home. You are rightfully concerned about the safety and the feelings of your existing fur baby.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Dec 10
Hi Loverbear...I haven't been to active here either, but wow big kudos to you in all that you're doing!
Your cat Murphy sounds like a former cat I had, Twinkie who was also the "grand-dame" of the house...LOL. Yet when I got her there were already other cats so she adjusted well, yet she still wanted her attention! It was funny too. If any of the other cats dared to try and eat from her plate she would put them in their place by giving them a swat on the head. Twinkie passed into Rainbow Bridge in 2005...I still miss that "character"
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
1 Dec 10
Hi pye, Kissy probably didn't react to Pye's passing because of her being so timid and him being bossy. She feared him but didn't fear you and that's why she didn't come out as often as Pye did. Now when you do decide to get another cat, regardless of it's age, you'll need to introduce them very slowly such as keep one in one room and the other in another. They'll probably do that themselves for the first few weeks until they're aquainted with one another and accept each other's presence. Kissy might feel her place is threatened with another cat but to show her that it's not you're going to have to give her a lot of love in order to ease her into accepting a new kitty but at the same time, you're going to have to show a lot of love to the new kitty too so it'll feel welcome into your home. If Kissy doesn't become the alpha boss, don't let her keep the other kitty away. If the kitty comes to you and Kissy pushes it away, gently nudge her so she's not pushing the other away but that you can pet them both at the same time. The reason I say this is because, if you pet one and not the other or show partiality to one, the other will feel like the lesser of the two and that's not what you want. You want them both to feel loved equally.
Never ever let a pet rule you. You rule the pet since it's your apartment however, don't ever 'make' the pet do anything it doesn't want to do. For an example, if Kissy doesn't ever accept the new kitty, let it be her decision. If you try to make her, she'll become resentful of you and even more so with the new comer but at the same time, don't let them fight either. If they hiss or growl, just clap your hands and say calmly, 'ok now you two, enough!' but in a firm tone of voice. They should scatter in different directions to ponder what just happened.
Hope this helps!! I don't envy you but there again, I've got 12 cats and none of them gets along with all of them. They all have their own 'buddy' and their own 'enemies' that they stear clear of.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 10
I know...I'll have to make sure I still pay a lot of attention to Kissy to make her feel like she's still loved and important in life and at the same time giving loving to the newcomer. It was almost comical though how both Kissy and Pyewacket were...Pye was definitely the dominating cat and didn't like it when I paid attention to Kissy. I WOULD try petting both at the same time, but she was so intimidated by Pyewacket she scurry away....gee, no wonder she's basking in the glory of all the attention I can give her now.
@nova1945 (1612)
• United States
1 Dec 10
I have done this several times. It always works better if the new cat is a kitten, but older ones work too it just takes a little longer. Leave them alone and let them adjust to one another. It usually takes about a week or two for them to establish pecking order and territorial boundries. Sometimes it helps to also set up a separate litter box for the new one. Eventually they will both start using both boxes and you can cut it back down to one again. As long as they both receive the same amount of love and attention they lose their fear of abandonment and begin to get along just fine. Also best to be sure both are "fixed" from the start. We just took in a stray that someone dumped in a parking lot where hubby works (car lot.) He was just about 8 weeks old and on the brink of becoming feral. So he was very timid and scared for a while but now has become a lap cat to both of us. I am sure with patience and love your new furbaby will be happy and loving in no time.
Good luck with your new family.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Dec 10
No problem about either cats being fixed. Kissy was spayed years ago and the cat I'm thinking of adopting is also fixed...that's why I'm leaning to an older cat already fixed. Yes I actually would prefer to adopt a kitten but if I got a kitten then I would have to get the cat eventually fixed...an expense I couldn't really handle right now.
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
2 Dec 10
It is really hard to say how one cat will react when another cat is adopted into the household. Since Nicky is timid he will probably not become the pushy one, but I could be wrong. Cats are so individual it is hard to tell. However I would not hesitate to get another cat. Perhaps you could have him over for a visit for a few days and see how it goes. I would however wait until the repair work is done because the repair men would probably let him get out.
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@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Dec 10
Yes I plan to wait until all the repair work is done before even thinking about adopting Nicky. Might not be until after the holidays though.
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
1 Dec 10
When I bring a new pet into the household, I come in as though it is the most natural thing in the world for the newcomer to be with me. It seems since I am not worried about them tearing each other apart, they see no reason to. I'm sixty-three years old and have had cats and dogs all my life with only one incidence of upset when bringing in a new one.
I made the mistake of letting my neighbor come in with me for the introductions. All she could talk about was how terrible it would be if they didn't like each other. And would they fight? And what would I do if they fought? Her nervousness carried over right into the house and it was hate at first site between the animals.
I took the new one out and sent the neighbor home. After an hour or so, I came back in fully expecting them to get along and they did.
People are the main reasons animals don't get along. They do exactly whatever we expect them to do.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 10
Yes animals are more perceptive than we give them credit at times and do pick up on the mood of a person. LOL--my super has been super of the building for a long time...whenever he'd come in, the cats (I used to have more) would run and hide...no I don't think they feared him, they just didn't like him--neither do I as a matter of fact, I think he's an azhole..no doubt they picked up my dislike for the super and the reason they would hide
@mummibear (5)
• Australia
1 Dec 10
Time is the key. Wait till the repair men have gone then bring Nicky home. Keep the cats seperated in different rooms but they can sus each other out under the door. After a day or two let them have supervised visits with each other while they build up trust. Eventually u will be able to leave them home together. If this doesnt work then you can try a product called feliway which works as a diffuser. I have heard many good reports on this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Dec 10
Unfortunately I live in a studio type apt. and there aren't any separate rooms to keep the two cats separated. What is feliway? Never heard of it