I Need Suggestions

bellaandme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
2,001
Purraise
22
Location
Indianapolis, IN
First off, let me tell you all that Turtle is just a ball of love. She is happy and finally healthy. She gets her cast off TODAY YYYYIIIIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Now here is my situation; in a couple of weeks I will be babysitting Turtle here in my home. I live in a very small one bedroom apartment. I know there will be problems with her and Bella. Bella is VERY possessive of me and her home. Past experiences tell me that there will be problems and though I am only keeping her a couple of days I would like it to be a peaceful adventure. Does any body have any ideas how I can make this as stress free as possible? Ideally, they would get along--even ignore each other would be great--but that won't happen. Bella has a reputation of being a bully with visiting felines. I don't want to keep Turtle shut up in my bedroom...Any ideas will be appreciated
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Since it's only for a few days, I highly recommend that you just keep Turtle in the bedroom. She will be stressed anyway and will feel safer with only one room to explore and deal with.

You and Bella can live in the rest of the apartment. Sleep on the couch or floor, if Bella is used to sleeping with you.

If it was a long term arrangement I would offer advice on working with them getting used to each other but there doens't seem much point in that. The least stress for BOTH of them, the way I see it, is to keep them separated.
 

farleyv

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
4,796
Purraise
36
Location
New York State
I agree it's such a short amount of time. I'd just keep them seperated. I think it will go alot smoother.

Just make sure you spend a good deal of time with Turtle.

Glad to hear all is going well with her!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

bellaandme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
2,001
Purraise
22
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Thanks for the advice. It sounds like a good plan to me. Bella and I will sleep on the couch. And I will steal some time with Turtle when Bella is taking one of her five hour naps!
I will probably be the only one stressed out about it. I don't want to upset either one of them. Bella has a way of getting back at me by peeing on everything.
 

salsero71

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 30, 2009
Messages
52
Purraise
0
Location
Ireland
I wonder if while they're both in your apartment, you take something that Bella has put it's scent on, and give it to Turtle to get used to the smell of Bella and vice versa? It might help them get acquainted a little while you're babysitting.

Also, I guess giving them both their favourite toys when Turtle arrives, and using catnip to distract them from the presence of the other cat, might work as temporary distractions?

Lastly, if you bribe Bella with her fave food when Turtle first arrives, she may get the message that she's being rewarded for good behaviour and not be so territorial?
 

luv furbabies

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Oct 18, 2008
Messages
142
Purraise
2
Location
Redding, CA
Bella will smell Turtle no matter where in the apartment they are...

BUT, the advice to keep them apart is the way to go, cuz with a healing Turtle and a possessive Bella, you might have to use some "Urine B-gone" no matter what you do


Good luck to all of you!!
 
Top