Assimilating a stray

  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #41

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
Good point, LDG. I think so, too. Gosh, I'm SO happy about this!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #43

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
Well, we've been moving right along here! Yesterday when I opened LO's door, she went in and LO came out. Just passed each other like subway communters! LOL! While Molly was free to check out every nook & cranny in LO's room, LO got to roam around the house and see where she now lives. Eventually Molly came out and tracked her a little. At one point, LO was going to walk up to her but Molly hissed and LO backed down, kept exploring. Last night they had a session in LO's room that also went well.

This morning, again Molly wanted to go in so she did. Little One was sitting on the floor. She just stayed there while Molly when through her (now) routine of sniffing all LO's stuff, checking the food to make sure LO wasn't getting something better. Then she walked up to LO and they sniffed each other's faces for a bit. Molly then flopped on the scratching mat and relaxed for a bit. LO again tried to approach her but Molly hissed her off. She's definitely the one setting the pace and LO seems content to follow her lead. Cleaning lady is here this afternoon, but I'm looking forward to further adventures in assimilation.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #44

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
Originally Posted by diggerled

Good work Michele!

Keep them separated til the experts here advise you otherwise. You'll learn everything you need to know here. I did.

Good luck. I'll be following your progress.
I'm an idiot. Just now figured out you sent me a lifesaver gift and where to find it. LOL! Thank you! Sorry it's so belated.
 

ldg

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
41,310
Purraise
842
Location
Fighting for ferals in NW NJ!
Oh that's FABULOUS!
Really - the hissing is nothing to worry about, and it is GREAT that LO is "listening."


And yup - the swapping places is usually a suggestion on integration, so that worked out perfect!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #46

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
LO just had another excursion into the house. Molly followed/watched her for a while, (no hissing) then went to her usual this-time-of-night resting place and didn't pay any more attention. I think this is going well!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #48

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
Little One spent about four hours out in the house today. Her longest excursion ever by far. Molly was aware she was out but slept through most of it. Little One had a good long time to acclimate and figure out where everything was. Found a few good snooze places (one of which is one of Molly's favorites so I don't know it that'll be a problem down the line). Molly finally woke up and I let them be in the house together. No incident at all. Then I put LO back in her room because I don't want to stress Molly. I'll let her out a little longer tomorrow.
 

killerapple

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
742
Purraise
1
Location
Ohio
I don't think things could be going any BETTER!!! It sounds like they are doing great!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #50

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
So far, so good. I'm grateful! But a question occurs:

Once Molly and Little One are basically living in the same space, should I move LO's eating area near Molly's or keep them separate? Right now, they eat at opposite ends of the house.
 

ldg

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
41,310
Purraise
842
Location
Fighting for ferals in NW NJ!
When you get to that point, if you're feeding them the same thing, I'd let them eat together. Even when Lazlo really hated Billy, eating together helped.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #52

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
LDG - I am feeding them the same. I'm trying to get everything in synch. When I first brought LO in, I gave her the litter that's more like dirt - what she'd been used to outside - but I've been slowly integrating the pellet litter Molly uses and LO is almost totally weaned. Their food is the same too - whatever flavor is on the menu for Molly is on the menu for LO. They've both checked out each other's bowls to make sure, too! So once it's all one big mush - it's better to feed them in proximity to each other?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #54

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
Okay - anyone got a clue what this means? Little One found one of Molly's favorite scratching pads. With Molly sitting there watching her, LO started to treat it as if it had catnip on it. It doesn't - just Molly's scent. LO rubbed her cheeks on it, loved on it - like I said, just like it was catnip. My question is - do you think she was just trying to mingle her own scent or was she communicating with Molly in some obscure kitty way? (Molly just watched her)
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
Originally Posted by orpheygene

it's better to feed them in proximity to each other?
They are at a stage where they are living in the same house, not yet pals but not enemies either, not minding the other living there.

Some cats do live so forever. IF they are touchy and after all, semi-enemies, the standard tactics is to let them have their core places way apart: the food place, the litter... So even semi-enemies may manage - and very often do.


But yours two, although not pals yet, are better than semi-enemies. Practically no hisses and practically no swats, see?

So for you the next logical step will be to have their food and litters near each other. And soon - together.
An extra bonus it may hasten up the process of becoming pals.
If you share food with someone, you will become soon also a friend. It is so with people anyway.
(although it is a good tip to let them have 2 different litters - nice for them. Our boys, although happy with 1 - we noticed they did appreciated when we prepared a second litter too, some way apart).
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
Originally Posted by orpheygene

or was she communicating with Molly in some obscure kitty way? (Molly just watched her)
I dont really know. But I wouldnt be the least surprised if your guess is correct.

With humans there IS such a behaviour. Kids, especielly girl kids, communicate sometimes this way.


Lets say so: if Molly did minded, she would surely hiss and be angry. She didnt, so indirectly she did approved what was happening.

Half a step forward again.
 

killerapple

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
742
Purraise
1
Location
Ohio
I think that was a GREAT sign!!! If there was an issue, like hissing/growling at the scent, no.. but that was a positive reaction.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #58

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
Things seem to be settling in. I let Little One out to explore at least once a day and whenever Molly wants to go in LO's room, I let her. They'll briefly smell each other's faces, then LO gets very submissive. Sits and watches. Yesterday I left them alone in the living room for a few minutes (keeping a sneaky eye on them of course) Molly was on a chair, LO was on the floor, they just sat there together. Then LO got up and came where I was. I think I'll keep up this plan - such as it is - and let them tell me when to take each step. I'm going to Chicago for 5 days in June, so I'm hoping to have them assimilated by then. I'd hate to set their progress back by being absent.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #59

orpheygene

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
115
Purraise
1
Location
Los Angeles
I'd love to post pictures of them but I don't think I've been around long enough to have the requisite number of posts. As soon as I do, I'll introduce you guys.
 

killerapple

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
742
Purraise
1
Location
Ohio
Sounds like things are going great!!!!!!!!!
The fact that they basically ignored each other is fantastic. That means they're fine with each other in their space.


Can't wait to see pictures when you can share them!
 
Top