Long due update of Singa & Soleil - but I'm a bit sad...

Hi all,

I know I haven't been around long to tell you the progress Singa & Soleil have made. For those of you who can't remember: About two months ago I adopted a kitten (Soleil) and Singa was of course everything but happy about it. After a week of introduction she finally stopped hissing at the little one.

Now they are both doing fine. Soleil can be extremely irritation at times. And I think Singa feels it's too much to take. Though I have seen both play together - with equal fun, it is usually Soleil initiating, and usually Singa just wants her peace and quite. E.g. Singa is resting on a pillow, Soleil comes up and grooms Singa's face, and in the next moment she will start biting her to play with her. Then Singa will just get up and walk away to find a new spot to rest...

Tho I am happy that they are somewhat getting along (at least no serious fighting etc) I am quite sad to see Singa so quite - almost depressed. Before we got Soleil she would jump around the house, exploring, playing. she was extremely cuddly with me too... all this is gone. And it breaks my heart to see her this way.

I really try to give her a lot of attention and love, but each time, Soleil comes and wants to be part of it - so Singa leaves again...

What can I do to get my old Singa back???

I completely remember your kitties and the rough introduction, sorry to hear your worries about Singa, I am sure Singa just needs a bit of extra encouragement. If you are spending some one on one with Singa and Soleil tries to cut in, just carry Singa off into another room and try to distract Soleil with a toy or something that will keep Soleil busy for a little while. The trick is to have Soleil distracted by something with out knowing it, and Singa will see this and feel so good seeing this and then both are satisfied. Eventually they will connect more, Singa simply sounds above all the childish kitten fights, rolling around like a little fury foul, and making an idiot of kitten self!

Originally Posted by cheylink

Singa simply sounds above all the childish kitten fights, rolling around like a little fury foul, and making an idiot of kitten self!

Click to expand...

Thanks for your positive encouragement What I don't get is that before Soleil came, Singa would still be extremly playful. She would chase her favorite toys around as if she was a kitten herself. Now there is no more of this foolishness. Also - Singa's sister (who is my boss's cat) used to come for 'holidays' to us - before we got Soleil - and the two of them would roll around and playfight all day and night. She hardly does this with Soleil tho
I really think I have hurt her feelings And she is my darling cat as she is my first cat ever and helped me get over my cat-phobia... that's why it hurts me so much to see her like this...

It just takes time and effort. A year ago we took care of two feral mothers and their five kittens and our youngest cat Izzy was really unhappy with it. She showed aggression both toward us and the ferals and she lost her spark. We showed her a lot of extra effection and protected her space by pushing the other cats away from her space when they bothered her. It took half a year before she stoped showing jelousy and another couple of month before she began playing again but now she does - even with the other cats.
It just takes time and the reletionships between the cats also changes over time depending on the current sitiuation in the house with workhours, bedtime and health.
Some cats are more adaptable than others. Our older cat, Zhasha, loves my husband. When he was home for half a year after a back operation she didn't leave his side. When he began working again she ignored him for two month and turned to me for affection instead. She was so upset about him leaving the house that she guarded the car in the mornings and tried to sneak in to go with him but she completely ignored him when he tried to pet her. Now he is forgiven and she love him with passion again.