Trapping for 2nd time?

OK, I got it now.

This is exactly how we feel about the plastic bags. We contemplated even to train them use the toilet but it's tricky when you have several kitties (we only have two bathrooms ). So the next best thing was the litter locker which still uses plastic bags (its own refills) but we cut down drastically on the total amount of plastic.

Batman is all about celebration , our Sammy is the same way (he starts running through the house telling the whole wide world), they are hilarious...

I can't wait to hear more about your baby girl

Batman has been ever vigilante, keeping watch outside of Patches door.

He brought her another mouse toy this morning.

His talking meow is a bit different than normal - it's more throaty sounding. He has not puffed up or freaked out. He's just very interested. I'm not sure if they've seen each other, but he is outside her door a LOT watching for action.

Will keep you all posted!

I'm sure they've seen each other - I really wonder if Patches comes out at night!

Batman is so sweet to keep bringing her things!

Patches was in a box this morning so I was able to rotate her cubby cube to face the door more - but still leaving her the option to not have her facing us. So now when I walk by the room, I see part of her in the cubby cube. I'm surprised she didn't choose the box over that since the box keeps her fully hidden from the view from door! But she's visible from hallway. But... I know cats think they're invisible when they are behind a curtain with their paws sticking out, so maybe she thinks I can't see her.

I'm sure they have seen each other, at least at night when you are sleeping. If they didn't like each other, you would probably already hear hissing and screams through the screen door.

Sending positive get-along vibes your way!!

Yes, I am sure they have seen each other since Batman is keeping watch outside the door. And he is so very sweet with his presents

Last night after I gave Patches her treats (put them down for her - she doesn't eat them in front of me yet), she poked her head out of the cubbie cube and watched me close the door. Batman was there, with my husband. So I made him pet Batman so Patches can see. She can see outside a lot easier than Batman can see inside her room, the way the screen works. So hopefully she saw Batman liking the attention.

Lots of fur from Patches today by the door. I didn't hear a peep though! Who knows what goes on!

Rescue Remedy came in the mail yesterday as well so I'm using that now.

Batman just lays by that door... just waiting... No negative reactions at all!

Will keep you posted!

Originally Posted by Momofmany

I'm sure they have seen each other, at least at night when you are sleeping. If they didn't like each other, you would probably already hear hissing and screams through the screen door.

Sending positive get-along vibes your way!!

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I wonder what Batman's telling her? Hope it's about all the wonderful things she's missing!

I hope so!

I still haven't heard anything from them at night. Lots of fur close to the door from Patches today. The girl is either falling apart of spending a lot of time there at night when I am not around. I don't see fur anywhere else!

I need a video camera...

Sounds to me like she's hanging out there

So.... think you're going to give a go at letting Batman in her room? I have no idea if that's a good idea or not, quite frankly. She seems to like her safety when people are around - but it seems like things are mellow between her and Batman when you're not. You do need a video camera!

Yes, she is definitely hanging out there. I am thinking it's a good thing if she is grooming at the door

I just wanted to stop in again to say bless you for being so patient with her!

Some day it will happen - we'll all be cheering when you pop in here to say your heart about popped out of your chest when she headbumped you.

Of course.... she's got a few more steps to go to get there.

But it WILL happen! Hang in there sweetie!

Oh, life is ironic. When you're unsure of things, fate seems to just do it for you.

Laurie, I was going to say that we were thinking intros may have to happen after she is worm-free but fate seemed to not agree with that!

So I was in the bathroom after a very late shower (due to Saturday laziness) and I hear Batman being very vocal so something told me to take a look. And what do I see? The screen door open a foot and Batman staring into the box in a relaxed state - no puffy tail - I actually forget his posture exactly but this happened so quickly. My jaw drops (HOW DID THE DOOR GET OPEN?!?!) I run in there and grab Batman. Patches was indeed in the box (obviously).

So apparently I closed the latch but maybe didn't close it properly...

So now Batman is just CRYING outside of her door. Crying like I've never ever heard him do before. Crying worse than he does when you put him in the bathroom if you are moving furniture from outside, etc. He is SO UPSET. He's pacing, slightly stalking the door. Just staring, wanting to see the kitty in the room again. Flopping by the door (which is normal) but now he's REALLY obsessed.

So..... he is reacting great to her. The downside to this is that it's going to be EVEN HARDER to go in there when I need to without him going in and also I'm more worried he's going to do his darnedest to get in her room now. She really needs to be in there for a while alone to make sure she's dewormed and so I can make sure she takes her next pill of dewormer etc.

But I am also so happy to see how happy he is to see his momma! He definitely is very excited about this other kitty in the house. Patches? I have no idea if she was upset but I'm glad I went in when I did because he was cornering her in the box and who knows.

I had swept up everything in her room earlier this morning - again, just fate messing with me. (If I hadn't swept, Batman would be loaded with her litter - it's SO lightweight and tracking). And any other day, we wouldn't be home and she may have left the room, etc. Very interesting.

So hopefully Batman won't cry his heart out.

So glad he's excited to have a cat friend. If only he knew it was his momma too!

I'll keep you posted.

(And yeah, we put another lock higher up on the door in case I make this mistake again. I still don't think it was my fault fully - I wonder if he jumped up and hit it out a bit... I'm so careful!!! Who knows.)

I should also add that before this incident, she was in the cubby cube this morning sticking her head out and saw me and Batman together. I don't think he saw her though - he looked but didn't seem to react.

With all due respect, I have a feeling that the Cat Goddess has taken the decision out of your hands. They got together (however briefly) and the world didn't fall apart. There are no doubts about Batman's gentle yearnings toward this "new" kitty. :l ove:

Here's something for you to ponder. If you are worried about worms, why not do the introductions now and deworm both Patches and Batman? If Batman is getting that upset by not being allowed time with her, why not just do it?

One of the problems with screen doors is that they can get their claws into it and pull.

Originally Posted by esrandall2000

With all due respect, I have a feeling that the Cat Goddess has taken the decision out of your hands. They got together (however briefly) and the world didn't fall apart.:

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I totally agree!!!!

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Here's something for you to ponder. If you are worried about worms, why not do the introductions now and deworm both Patches and Batman? If Batman is getting that upset by not being allowed time with her, why not just do it?

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I think I reacted as I did because it caught me off guard - I thought the intros would be on my terms to my plan (realizing things never go as planned), etc. An hour later, I was like 'why didn't I keep holding him and see what happens?' but that wasn't my thinking when I saw the door open with him in there. And then afterwards, we were going to a wake... so a bit distracted by things before this happened.

He stopped his crying eventually. He got distracted by the bird feeder and what not maybe 20 minutes later. I will definitely have him in there with me again soon. And I realize roundworms isn't the end of the world. I just like feeling in control when I can.

I'm so glad their meeting went so well though - just not expected to happen when it did.

Oh, he is so happy to have Patches in his house

I can imagine how you felt since the focus has been for all these weeks to keep them separated and then introduce them through the gate, but I guess Batman and the universe had other plans .

I realize there is a chance of infecting Batman and that you are concerned about it, it's the same in our home. The gates we are using have big openings and the kitties can touch paws and noses. But I figured we can also track the eggs in the house when we walk in and out of the room. This morning when we cleaned Sweet Pea's litter box I saw a dead worm in his poop (he just had a second dose of Drontal this past Tuesday). I will talk to our vet about the possibility of infestation Tuesday and see if she recommends we deworm everybody (the other four kitties are on a Revolution monthly treatment).

I am absolutely thrilled that everything goes so well with the introduction, I can imagine how HAPPY you are!!! And the other thing I never said before it just melts my heart that you rescued momma and son!!!

Marina

We decided to let them meet again this morning. Patches was in the big box. Batman went straight for the box, with me partially holding him. I didn't let him just bolt in there. I redirected him to smell around the room so she could watch. Then he wanted to go to her again. We decided to let him go in the box. He basically made a b-line for her - got right in her face and they smelled faces.

THEN HE SMACKED HER IN THE FACE!!!!! I don't think she even reacted. I pulled him away. Made him explore the room a bit more.

Then we let him go one more time - he again smacked her in the face. She hissed and smacked back. I decided that was enough and got him away. I was worried for Patches - as she was in a bad position (back of a box) with Batman basically rushing at her. The box IS big enough that she could've ran past him on the side of it.. but.. I didn't want her more upset.

I know they have to establish a pecking order but I wasn't sure how much smacking would happen and didn't want an issue. No grows. Just a hiss from her after he smacked her the 2nd time.

I guess not as good as yesterday - I pulled him away from her before he would've smacked her. My husband thinks it went pretty good and that Batman hasn't been around another cat since he was 3 months old and he smacks everything that is new (which is true). I'm not sure. What do you guys think? Should I continue small visits like this once a day or more frequent? Batman reacts to her scent very positively - just the smacking has me a bit worried.

Did I over-react? Should I have let the smacking continue until they worked things out?? I just didn't want her to keep getting smacked and then have a problem down the road. Figured it would be best to stop and re-assess.

Batman first ran down the stairs, away from her room. Now he's back outside her room, quietly watching (10 minutes after incident). A few minutes have gone by and now he's starting to be more vocal again, talking and slight crying. I guess that is good. He's interested again.

I think you did the right thing - both letting him back in there, and saying that's enough. I agree - she's in the back of the box.

I assume he's too interested in Patches to play with a wand to with him in there? Obviously he's not going to be interested in pets or brushes while he's in there.

The good thing is she smacked him back.

I think he's just testing the water. I'd probably do a little of this every day!

...and I agree about the worm issue. I really wouldn't worry about it. If you keep her box clean, even if he uses it the likelihood he'll get worms is quite low.

I've yet to have introductions without at least a couple of good whacks between the cats. It is their way of establishing pecking order and I've seen cases where all Scarlett had to do is whack one time and the whackee's fall in line for the rest of their lives.

You would absolutely know if there was serious contention between them. They would be low to the ground, ears back, growling deep throaty growls and hissing the entire time in anger.

If it were me, I'd continue supervised introductions for a bit and use food or toys as a means to distract Batman while in the room.