Hi, all. It's been a while since I've been here...but this is where I find the best kitty support.
I live in Russia. I have a six-year-old torti named Beazy.
About two years ago, I added another cat to our household. She was a street cat and, after 10 months of trying, still didn't get along with Beazy. She was rehomed to a student's family and is doing great.
Recently, Beazy has been very...depressed. She's bored and lonely. (I know that anywhere else that would sound a little crazy, but hope it makes sense here.) We've moved to a new flat and she no longer has any bird-watching opportunities. She's just moping around.
Knowing that I wil have to be away for a week and sometimes two in the next six months (I'm adopting a little girl), I thought it was best to introduce a kitten (and not a young cat like I did last time) now. I thought Beazy might need the companionship of another cat while I was away. Finding a kitten now would give me time to settle the kitten in and the two of them to make friends before the adoption--likely in about six months. And, I'm a teacher, so I've got 1 1/2 weeks at home before school starts.
It's only been a day and I'm feeling so guilty! My Beazy is a one-person cat, but with me she is always affectionate--following me from room to room and curling up beside me whenever I sit down. Now, she's on edge and has retreated to the window sill. Even when the kitten is in another room she won't come near me--and even ran away when I approached. It's breaking my heart.
I also feel bad for this little kitten who has no clue what has happened and is still calling for her littermates. The more I comfort her, the worse I feel about Beazy. When I leave her alone in the bedroom, I feel bad about that.
Both cats have had vanilla applied to the napes of their necks and the base of their tail. The are both female. I've kept them apart some of the time--letting each one spend time out with me and some alone time. I've had them both in the same room.There was a lot of noise and tension but no fur flew.
I know it's only been a day and these things take time. I know all about *how* to introduce cats. I've done it many times--very successfully. I guess I've just been really fortunate with how accepting my cats have been with each other in the past. Beazy doesn't seem to think she needs a companion as much as I thought she did. Was I right to try to bring a friend into the house for Beazy or have I ruined her little kitty world? I just want my cat back and happy.
I live in Russia. I have a six-year-old torti named Beazy.
About two years ago, I added another cat to our household. She was a street cat and, after 10 months of trying, still didn't get along with Beazy. She was rehomed to a student's family and is doing great.
Recently, Beazy has been very...depressed. She's bored and lonely. (I know that anywhere else that would sound a little crazy, but hope it makes sense here.) We've moved to a new flat and she no longer has any bird-watching opportunities. She's just moping around.
Knowing that I wil have to be away for a week and sometimes two in the next six months (I'm adopting a little girl), I thought it was best to introduce a kitten (and not a young cat like I did last time) now. I thought Beazy might need the companionship of another cat while I was away. Finding a kitten now would give me time to settle the kitten in and the two of them to make friends before the adoption--likely in about six months. And, I'm a teacher, so I've got 1 1/2 weeks at home before school starts.
It's only been a day and I'm feeling so guilty! My Beazy is a one-person cat, but with me she is always affectionate--following me from room to room and curling up beside me whenever I sit down. Now, she's on edge and has retreated to the window sill. Even when the kitten is in another room she won't come near me--and even ran away when I approached. It's breaking my heart.
I also feel bad for this little kitten who has no clue what has happened and is still calling for her littermates. The more I comfort her, the worse I feel about Beazy. When I leave her alone in the bedroom, I feel bad about that.
Both cats have had vanilla applied to the napes of their necks and the base of their tail. The are both female. I've kept them apart some of the time--letting each one spend time out with me and some alone time. I've had them both in the same room.There was a lot of noise and tension but no fur flew.
I know it's only been a day and these things take time. I know all about *how* to introduce cats. I've done it many times--very successfully. I guess I've just been really fortunate with how accepting my cats have been with each other in the past. Beazy doesn't seem to think she needs a companion as much as I thought she did. Was I right to try to bring a friend into the house for Beazy or have I ruined her little kitty world? I just want my cat back and happy.