My dear cat Taco (who had cancerous tumors) had to be put down early last week
I'm still dealing with that.
Anyway, yesterday I felt compelled to adopt a new orange cat from the Humane Society (Taco was a big orange boy I'd had for nearly 16 yrs, nearly his whole life) so I adopted a 1 yr old neutered male (neutered 5 days ago). He is a very sociable cat with others, so much so that they had him in a large room there called "Mewtopia" where he was free to roam with about 4 other cats. Thought this was a good sign, half the battle lost as I have 4 spayed females so at least he'd be okay with other cats.
I've kept him my spare bedroom since yesterday afternoon (yes, he was health checked there at the HS plus I stopped by my own Vet on the way home; he's neg for FIV, FeLeuk, has been dewormed, has had both sets of vaccinations (2nd set was 5 days ago), had rabies shot yesterday and he's a very healthy cat so not worried about transmission of anything.
He's going nuts in that room by himself.
I took one of my most friendly females into his room last night, she hissed at him. I took my most aloof one in and she didn't care at all (how strange!? LOL).
Then around 11pm I decided to let him out to wander the house (closed doors to most rooms as he still had plenty of house to wander through). he was very curious as you can imagine. 2 of my cats were really not impressed, watching him like a hawk, sometimes getting ready to walk right up to him and hissing (I'd stand between them). I was giving treats to all while doing this.
My oldest, Tigger, she's the "Queen" (my first cat) at one point went heading for him and they both hissed and growled. Then the new cat (Hobee) went up onto the cat post in the front window and when I tried to pet him he growled at me (not like him at all, he's so affectionate), then I got a little antsy LOL
I eventually put him back into his room. Now this morning I awake to him begging to get out.
Obviously with several other cats I've introduced new ones before and it all worked out well but that was years ago when they were all a lot younger (and maybe I wasn't such a chicken LOL).
I don't know how I can keep this new one stuck in a room by himself all week while I'm at work (though I will if it's safest), afraid he'll get so stressed that he'll end up getting sick.
Should I just let him out and let them get used to each other despite the hissing and stuff, and just keep a good watch to ensure nobody's going at it?
Any suggestions?
PS - they didn't think he's ever sprayed while at the HS, and like i said, he got along good with the other cats he was in that room with but there's a part of me that's afraid he'll get an attitude with mine (the ones who aren't too friendly) and he'll start to spray? Could this happen?
Lisa
Anyway, yesterday I felt compelled to adopt a new orange cat from the Humane Society (Taco was a big orange boy I'd had for nearly 16 yrs, nearly his whole life) so I adopted a 1 yr old neutered male (neutered 5 days ago). He is a very sociable cat with others, so much so that they had him in a large room there called "Mewtopia" where he was free to roam with about 4 other cats. Thought this was a good sign, half the battle lost as I have 4 spayed females so at least he'd be okay with other cats.
I've kept him my spare bedroom since yesterday afternoon (yes, he was health checked there at the HS plus I stopped by my own Vet on the way home; he's neg for FIV, FeLeuk, has been dewormed, has had both sets of vaccinations (2nd set was 5 days ago), had rabies shot yesterday and he's a very healthy cat so not worried about transmission of anything.
He's going nuts in that room by himself.
I took one of my most friendly females into his room last night, she hissed at him. I took my most aloof one in and she didn't care at all (how strange!? LOL).
Then around 11pm I decided to let him out to wander the house (closed doors to most rooms as he still had plenty of house to wander through). he was very curious as you can imagine. 2 of my cats were really not impressed, watching him like a hawk, sometimes getting ready to walk right up to him and hissing (I'd stand between them). I was giving treats to all while doing this.
My oldest, Tigger, she's the "Queen" (my first cat) at one point went heading for him and they both hissed and growled. Then the new cat (Hobee) went up onto the cat post in the front window and when I tried to pet him he growled at me (not like him at all, he's so affectionate), then I got a little antsy LOL
I eventually put him back into his room. Now this morning I awake to him begging to get out.
Obviously with several other cats I've introduced new ones before and it all worked out well but that was years ago when they were all a lot younger (and maybe I wasn't such a chicken LOL).
I don't know how I can keep this new one stuck in a room by himself all week while I'm at work (though I will if it's safest), afraid he'll get so stressed that he'll end up getting sick.
Should I just let him out and let them get used to each other despite the hissing and stuff, and just keep a good watch to ensure nobody's going at it?
Any suggestions?
PS - they didn't think he's ever sprayed while at the HS, and like i said, he got along good with the other cats he was in that room with but there's a part of me that's afraid he'll get an attitude with mine (the ones who aren't too friendly) and he'll start to spray? Could this happen?
Lisa
