Miss Dollie

I just found your site and have been reading and reading.  I have kept cats my entire life and love them totally.  I use to have five but they all went over the rainbow bridge.

Two years ago I took in a rescue kitten which I named Cozy.  She is a dream and I love her to pieces but she is a demon cat in many ways.  She doesn't like anyone but me.  She is totally relaxed around me and I can do anything at all to her but if anyone else comes to the house she runs to my bedroom and stays there until they leave.  She hisses at people and will bite them if they get too close.  Everyone has learned and leaves her alone.

About two months ago I caught some boys outside holding down an old cat and trying to run over her with their bicycle.  I screamed at them and caught the cat and brought her to my back patio but she was in bad shape.  Her hair was matted, she was extremely thin, every bone in her body showed, full of fleas, and she had worms.

I took her to the vet and got her cleaned up and treated.  I brought her home and put her in my garage and got her eating and she soon was very friendly with me and loved to be petted and fed treats.  Now it has gotten way too hot in the garage for July in Florida.  Cozy is an absolute demon around her and is probably twice her size and I am afraid would kill her.  Cozy knew she was in the garage and hated it.  She would growl and hiss at the door.

I finally moved Miss Dolly back to the back patio which is fully covered and she seems quite happy.  I am keeping the flea meds going and she is eating well but she has arthritis.  I want to start treating that if anyone has any suggestions.  Also I am worried as summer comes to an end and it gets pretty cold in Jacksonville.  I am looking at some outdoor heated houses to get for her if you think that is a good idea.

Just any suggestions to help her have a good life would be appreciated.  I would estimate she is probably 10+ years old and I want to make her final years happy as possible.

Oh bless your heart.  My first thought was perhaps you introduced Dolly and Cozy too quickly?  Cats are strange creatures and Cozy sounds like she has a very strong personality.  It might take her more time to adjust to the new roommate.

Given that, I see nothing wrong with having Dolly on the covered patio if she's happy there.  At her age, she may just not have the patience to adjust to life with Cozy cat anyway!  There are heated houses available on Amazon you might use.  Search for "outdoor cat houses."

If you can, set up a litter box out there  for her.  It can be tucked into a corner so the rain doesn't hit it.  She will benefit from not having to wander to find a decent place to potty.  Plus it will keep her out of the neighbor's gardens.

Also, feed her at specific hours.  If she eats dry food, take it up at night.  That will keep unwelcome visitors from coming to enjoy the smorgasbord!  As to the arthritis, they have glucosemine condroiton for cats.  I have no personal experience with that but someone else might.

And thank you for not kicking those kids.  I'm afraid I would have been sorely tempted.

We seem to have a couple of senior rescues lately!   Thank you so much for saving Dolly she sounds like a wonderful kitty.    Ondine mentioned glucamine chondroitin - my favorite supplements for this are Cosequin and Dasuquin. they are made by the same company and the Dasuquin to my mind works a little better but my angel arthritic kitty liked the taste of the Cosequin better.   They aren't prescription and are much cheaper bought online than anywhere else.  Both made a significant difference in her arthritis, changes started in a week of adding it to her canned food.   She also loved heat - especially the Snuggle Safe disk, seemed to help her achy joints.   Again bless you for saving that kitty!

Thanks so much fo the advice and I will be getting her some med for the arthritis.  I thought I would post a pic of Dolly and Cozy.


The above is Dolly.


That's my crazy Cozy!

Thank you so much for taking care of Miss Dollie.  I think she will do quite well outside and maybe with time you can move her inside.  I have a feral that lives on my deck.  He likes to come inside for short visits, but my resident inside cat hates him.  I put my resident cat in a room and allow my feral boy to come inside for a bit.  I live in Ohio and our winters can be just awful.  I have a tent/shed like structure I put up for winter and on an outdoor love seat I have heat pad as well as an outdoor cat house.  Here is a link to the one I have


It keeps Shadow quite warm even when temps are below zero.  I like that it has 2 openings so the cat doesn't feel trapped. 
 

It is so kind and caring of you to help Miss Dolly. I have an ex-feral named Dolly who is a doll as if she wasn't a feral-born cat.

Outside of my apartment is the colony Dolly and my other came from. For them to relax, I have a cheap litter box with a soft, thick towel folded up in it. They enjoy relaxing in it and sleeping in it.

Other neighbors and I also have small cabins filled with hay on our rear decks so they can take cover and have shelter.

What horrible little boys!  Little sociopaths in the making.  Thank you for saving the cat.  It sounds like you have a good set-up for Dolly and she will be happy on your porch.  Eventually maybe your other cat will get used to the smell of her and her presence on your patio and they can learn to interact some more.  Good luck!