Five adult cats...now, plus one stray/feral kitten. Need advice, support etc...

Hello one and all!

Two weeks ago, after 4 long hours in the Georgia heat, I rescued a tiny 8 week old grey tortie from the wheel well of a parked car at the Mart of Wal.  She hissed, she spat, she made many...many holes in my hand with teeth and claws but I finally got her in a carrier.  Off to the vet we went, where she was dewormed, got her first shots and a combo test that came up clean. 

I took her home, hastily fixed up my clothes closet as a tiny safe room and let her out of her carrier.  The first day she was very shocky and quiet, but that was soon to change.  For eventually she started to yowl. 

And it didn't stop for 72 hours.

After the third day straight of the most mind numbing noise possible, I think she finally tuckered herself out.  That, or the Feliway diffuser and spray actually worked.  (I was at Petsmart when the doors opened that morning.  Not like I was sleeping anyways.)

We've since moved past that and she is showing small improvements every day.  I have still yet to touch her, as any move toward that is rewarded with hissing and running away.  But she is eating her wet food near me with only a bit of hesitation.  We play three times a day with her favorite wand toy, and she is getting braver with every session.  Still, the progress is slow and frustrating.

Then there is the other factor.  I have five adult cats already.  Four of them are littermates (10 years old), and the other cat is their aunt (she is 11).  The kitten, whom I'm calling Heidi as she is a champion hider, has free reign of my bedroom now with baby gates creating a screen door.  All the cats have seen/smelled her through the door during the past couple of days.  I've been giving treats and love to the adults and talking softly to Heidi during all interactions.

Then today happened. 

I let Heidi out of my room for the first time today and she did really well!  All the other cats were either in closed off rooms or outside. (They are old and stay on the patio furniture of our fenced in back yard. They used to roam and make me crazy, but now they stick close by) 

I decided to see how she would do with the two boys who I thought were my calmest cats.  Sarge immediately raised his hackles and started meowing and hissing.  I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't been holding him, he would have attacked her.  Loki was ok, concerned, but curious.  I cut the intro short and put Sarge up and led Heidi back upstairs.  Put the baby gates back up, broke out the tuna and fed both Heidi and Sarge at the gates.  Sarge ate a bit, came to me for attention, meowed at Heidi, hissed, ate, attention...rinse repeat. 

I need some hope...hope that I'm doing this correctly.  I've been doing the scent exchange thing since she arrived...but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  The thought of having to do this with each individual cat is disheartening to say the least.  I've decided that she will be staying in my room until she is spayed.  The stress of her getting out, knowing I will never be able to trap her again if she does is killing me.  Also, the worry that my resident cats will hurt her is weighing heavily on me. 

Any advice, hints or even internet hugs would be appreciated.

The intro as described seems OK!   Loki accepted her, and Sarge is apparently on good way now.  The first moment wansnt good, but the second occasion much better.  No?

Otherwise, you seems to do everything right and according to the best of manuals.

Btw, I think her howling the first days is she come freshly apart from her mom.  So she wasnt yet used to be separated, it was completely new...  Anyways, it was the best as could happen for her, to be adopted and fostered by a friendly person.

There is one tip to use when they have landed.   Wrap them up like a burrito, so they become helpless but are not in distress, and carry them at your chest. Perhaps even one hour.  You talk sweetly, make friendly noises, sing softly...

If it works just to repeat a couple three times, and its done.    Somewhat alike the american way fo "breaking in" a horse, but much much more softer and friendlier.

This tips works better with somewhat younger kittens.  At 8+ they may after all try to wriggle out.  If they do it vigorously enough, you cant proceed as is wished.

But still, its worth a try.  If it works, so it works, and you get an easy and quick victory.

Good luck!

It sounds like things went well, actually.  Just take it easy with each cat and watch them closely.  We have six cats, all of whom pretty much simply co-exist.  They don't really like each other (even the siblings) and have never cuddled or slept close to one another.  So I am used to a house with a certain level of constant tension.

You house sounds way less tense, so I think you have a good shot at introducing her to the rest of your crew.  At their ages, they may not appreciate a pesky little one who wants to play, so you may have to entertain her.  On the other hand, one or more of your guys may welcome a playmate.  I guess it depends on their personalities.  (I have six cats who would prefer to be my only cat!)

Thank you so much for rescuing her

How awesome that you were able to rescue sweet Heidi.  She will be forever blessed with your love!  Here are a few links with some info on cat to cat introductions;

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

When I was introducing a feral that I brought into the house to my resident cat, it was a quite a challenge.  I had baby gates everywhere, but my resident cat was professional jumper and scaled them in a single bound!  I really wanted to attach a screen door to the door frame, but DH did not want the door or frame defaced.  So instead, I bought a cheap wooden screen door from Lowes ($20) and attached it to the door frame with cheap tension rods.  This allowed the cats to safely see and smell each other.  I did have a baby gate in the door way for extra protection as the screen is pretty flimsy.  I started only allowing supervised visits and gradually it allowed the feral to see and hear the sounds of the house.  Here is a picture of my set up.

Update on Miss Heidi-hidey ho!

She is progressing SO well!  Still not able to pet her, but I'm letting her determine when she is ready for that.  We are working slowly on getting her at less afraid of my hands, as that seems to be most terrifying thing about me to her.  She is growing incredibly fast and has gotten so big since she got here.  I'd forgotten how quickly kittens grow, it's been so long since mine were little!  Every day we have one, two or even three little signs that she is trusting me more.  They are minute steps to say the least, but they make me smile. 

Thats not the only things about her that makes me smile.  She is all about the playing when she is awake.  Watching her gallivant around my room with reckless abandon is heartwarming.  Just thinking about how far she has come in a month.  Even now, with the distant booms of fireworks she is perched on her tiny scratching post ready to pounce on her favorite snake toy.  I'm also pretty convinced that she is part ferret, as almost every toy ends up under my bed where she will hide them for later.  I sometimes awake in the middle of the night to the faint crinkle of a foil ball from beneath me. 

There has also been some good progress with my adult potatoes. (I have called them "My Potatoes" since day one...the kittens were so round from worms and malnutrition that they looked like furry potatoes with feet.) It would be easier just to list this. Plus, I love lists.

Sara (Sara Bear!) - Best so far.  She asked to come in my room a couple of days ago, so I let her.  She sniffed everything in the room while Heidi looked on in excited anticipation.  They touched noses and then Sara walked away.  A few minutes later, Heidi approached Sara and head butted her.  Only one little hiss during this encounter, as Heidi desperately wanted to play and Sara was having none of that. 

Sarge- He and Hiedi have played "paws" under the baby gate for the past three nights in a row.  Is this a good thing?  No hissing or posturing on either end but I think Sarge is using his claws during these sessions. Should I intervene or just let it play out on its own?

Loki- I'm pretty sure Loki's thoughts on Heidi are "Meh."  He's my laid back cat, the most friendly... I call him my kitty ambassador.  He hasn't had much interaction since he saw her downstairs, but I'm not all worried about him.

Princess- (The Auntie) I had a new sliding glass door installed a few days ago in the room that Princess hangs out in the most and that upset her...to put it mildly.  She ran upstairs and freaked out until I let her in my bedroom. She didn't care at first about Heidi and headed straight under my bed, much to Heidi's dismay.  Under my bed is her safe spot and any approach she made to Princess was rewarded with a hiss. Heidi eventually gave up and started playing alone.  Then I had to do something I REALLY didn't want to do...I had to leave them alone.  Nothing happened of course.  Princess stayed under the bed while door was being installed and Heidi curled up ON my bed and took a nap.

Cotton Ball-  Has only been brave enough to venture upstairs once where he stared at her through the baby gate.  Much better than the first meeting where he promptly ran away from her...terrified.  Because we all know how utterly dangerous an 11 week old kitten is to an adult cat with paws the size of her head.  (This is also the cat that runs inside when the wind blows in the fall...the leaves are GONNA GET HIM!)

Heh, I'd planned a quick update.  This turned into a novel. Thanks for reading this far!

Nyte2001 said:

Heh, I'd planned a quick update.  This turned into a novel. Thanks for reading this far!

Click to expand...

Oh, you DO have the ability to write, well above average.   Any plans to make something out of this ability?  

It has gone really well! I would just let things progress a day at a time. One thing I thought of - if you reach toward Heidi, close your hand into a fist. It will remind her of a cat asking for a head butt. An open hand makes them nervous. Once she butts your hand, you can scratch her head or ear, whichever she'll accept.

Good job!

Ondine said:

It has gone really well! I would just let things progress a day at a time. One thing I thought of - if you reach toward Heidi, close your hand into a fist. It will remind her of a cat asking for a head butt. An open hand makes them nervous. Once she butts your hand, you can scratch her head or ear, whichever she'll accept.

Good job!

Click to expand...

I just learned about this a few days ago...(from this site! )  and it has worked wonders! 

She really wants to explore (readlay in) the rest of the house now though.  And let me tell you...mere words cannot express how badly I want to oblige her.  Removing and crawling through the baby gates everytime I want to leave my bedroom...eh...its been swell, but the swelling has gone down.  Lets not even discuss trying to bring in a heavy basket of laundry.

Speaking of laundry...my success for yesterday was moving her litter box from my closet to the little utility closet on the other side of my room.  (it leads to the attic, and its where I keep her food.)  So now my clothes don't smell like cat poop! I plan on leaving one there permanently for all the cats to use later on.

I have been dealing with bouts of compassion fatigue however.  I am a petsitter by trade (And I moonlight as a writer, nice catch StefanZ! ) and with it being the fourth of July, I'm really busy.  This morning alone I had 9 visits and scooped a total of 20 litterboxes and fed 17 cats, not including my own.  But the kindness of the people here have helped those bouts be short lived, so thank so much.  Also, I have a few days off coming up and they cannot get here soon enough!

I plan on letting Heidi out tonight after all the Potatoes are played with, fed and calm...we shall see how that goes!

It sounds like things are going really well.  A few years ago when I started to socialize a 7-9 month old feral kitten I found a series of videos that really helped me out.  I believe it is a series of 3 and the first one starts with them rescuing the kittens.  Keep watching.  There are some really good tips especially the baby food tip and the soft wand that is used to start touching.  These tips were invaluable to me.  The baby food (Gerber stage 1 or 2 chicken or turkey with only meat and water; no added spices) trick works so well.

http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo

Just wanted to give y'all an update...I'll try my hardest to make it quick.

A switch flipped a couple of days ago during our feeding/petting session.  I managed to get a finger under her chin and start scratching.  She immediately leaned into my hand, closed her eyes and promptly fell over.  She is still quite skittish, but everyday now she climbs onto my bed in the morning for head scratches and love.  It breaks my heart to get up and walk away when she starts "playing " with my hand, but I've had experience with a demon cat that taught me to nip that behavior in the bud. I still cannot pick her up as evidenced by the two times I had to she clawed and hissed at me.  We are working on it and are on the gentle pressure to the tummy stage.

She and Sara are fast becoming accustomed to each other.  Sara meows at the baby gate, I bring her in and she hangs out until Heidi gets all obnoxious and kitten like.  Sara even licked her head earlier.  We are having some possessiveness issues with the cat tree and food bowls but I attribute that to Heidi's age... a little like a toddler who goes around the day care taking away toys saying "Mine!"

As for Sarge and Loki, if you have not seen the Friskies ad called "Dear Kitten" I highly recommend it.   If you have seen it, you will understand when I say we are on about 84 of the customary 437 hisses.  They are growing in frustration at the inability to enter my bedroom. Loki and Sarge were used to sleeping in my bed and getting cuddles before sleepytime.  I go downstairs every night and sit with them awhile but it seems its not enough.  I just wish there was some way to tell them "It won't be like this forever!"

I called the vet to get an appt to have Heidi spayed, but was informed that they do not usually do them until they are 6 months old.  I told them I understood this, but then explained my situation. (I was still unable to touch her at the time) They put me on hold, came back and said they would be willing to do it.  I pondered while I was on hold and realized that I was hurrying to have her fixed for my own peace of mind. (And desperately wanting to take the baby gates off my door) So I agreed to wait a month to make sure she weighed enough.  (I may or may not have increased her food portions a bit just to be safe....she is growing like a weed!)

I will end here as I have already failed to be brief! Sheesh... Succinct is not my strong suit!

Thanks for the update.  It sounds like Heidi is really progressing.  Once they get a taste of being pet, it's like a drug!!  Hopefully soon you will all be one big happy family!!!

An update!

At the moment, Heidi is sleeping soundly, if a bit uncomfortably in my lap...purring away.  She was spayed/chipped Monday so the stitches are making it awkward for her to find a good position to sleep.   I was told she did wonderfully during her day at the vet and everyone cooed and fawned over her the entire time she was there. (24 hours...I was a wreck by the time I picked her up the next morning.)

/pause while I carefully put her down as it would seem it is time to take her snake toy into the kitty tunnel and give it a solid thrashing.

She has become SO sweet these past few days. Headbutts, kisses...curling up around my shoulders and neck.  I wish I had a picture of her face when she heard/saw me at the vet...precious doesn't even begin to describe it.  I let Sara bear in my room today and much sweetness ensued. (Helped by the fact that the vet trimmed Heidi's claws so she isn't quite so...painful to Sara) Heidi tried to play a bit, but she isn't up to par so it was a halfhearted attempt at best. 

Also, Sarge came to the door last night and Heidi acknowledged him and then completely ignored him. (Made me realize her little freak outs when the boys showed up was the cat equivalent of "Well, Hello Sailor! New in town?" I had worried that lingering smell of the vet would upset them, Sarge especially as he recently had a cyst removed...but it didn't seem to matter.  Looks like the plan of letting her out of my room during the day (When they are outside) is progressing nicely.

I still marvel at the fact that two months ago, I couldn't even get within 4 feet of her without a hiss and now she is a loving, happy kitten.  I still have little flashes that I remember from the day I found her...and I'm so grateful for the information that this site and the people here have provided.  I have learned so much in these past months about being a better staff member to my kitties!

It would seem I've spoken too soon. 

Heidi wouldn't eat her breakfast yesterday.  I attributed it to excitement at being able to spend all morning downstairs exploring and being adorable. Then, she wouldn't eat lunch, then dinner.  She was doing everything else...drinking water, going No 1 and 2 normally, playing, being sweet etc...all except eating her wet food. She would even eat treats.  Then she started throwing up, (in the litterbox! Such a smart girl!)

Called the vet today, they said to bring her in so off we went. (it was literally 6 minutes from the time I hung up the phone to when I was walking in the door at the vet.)  After a rather lengthy exam where I paced the floor of the little room, I was informed that she was "loaded with tapeworms", She had been dewormed (Drontal?) and I was given Albon to give daily and that "If she isn't eating by Monday, I want her back in here."

Eegad! If she hasn't eaten by Monday, I'm going to be a nervous WRECK!

I am now torn on my next move.  She threw up again a couple of hours ago. (Nooo...not the medicine!). 

I've tried:

Mixing her food with water to make a paste - nuh uh

Giving her some of the adult cat food - no way jose

Gerber baby food in Chicken, Beef and Turkey flavors (Gah that stuff smells SO BAD!) she showed some interest, but then turned away.

Baked chicken pieces- one bite, then nada.

My last resort, my go to, my secret weapon that has never failed me is canned tuna. I'm going to give her a tiny bit tonight in hopes that might help.  I just worry about it being to rich for her on a very empty stomach.

Can you water down the baby food and syringe it into her mouth?  Just to get something in her stomach.

You can get kitten milk too, and kitten wet food to water it down. Those will have more nutrients. Force feeding her is tough but if she doesn't eat soon, she may start to shut down.

Vibes she's better soon. Rotten worms!

What I've offered today to get her eating:

Baked chicken

3 different brands of cat food

tuna

the meat off a fried chicken breast (I tried this as she crawled over my head a few weeks ago to get at my dinner when I had this.)

KMR milk and Whiskas cat milk

Freeze dried chicken and shrimp, dry and some soaked in water

My only small success was the Gerber baby food turkey. She wouldn't eat it, but I kept wiping a bit on her lips and nose and she kept licking it off, so it was at least something! I plan on doing that again in a couple hours.

I only got half a ml of her medicine down her before she bolted. She kept it down for a few hours but then up it came.  I will probably try to get the other half a ml down her soon.

She is still drinking water, probably more than normal.  Her coat is still smooth and her skin bounces back well so it would seem if she is dehydrated its not by much. 

My stomach is knots with worry.  Nothing I've seen during my research has listed loss of appetite accompanying tapeworms. 

Ok, so...here is a little incident that occured the day of her spay.

I had opted to get the pain medication just in case.  I waited for around 30 minutes while they filled it.  Got my little bag of syringes and headed home.  Heidi was doing so well when she got home, I decided to not give her the pain meds unless it started to look like she needed it.  Boy am I GLAD i waited. 

Five hours after they sent me home, I get a call from a breathless, obviously embarrassed vet tech stating "There is an error with your medication, can you bring it back up here?"  Not a "Have you given it to Heidi? Is she ok?" etc...

I go back up there and they take it from me like they just dodged a speeding train.  They asked if I wanted to wait while they refilled it and in my shock I said "You know what, I'm just going to go without it.  I'm really close and she is doing so well. I'll be back if there are any issues."

Not a word was spoken about it again.  Just sort of rubbed me the wrong way I guess. 

You might want to make sure the vet hadn't given her a dose of whatever that medication was. It may be what's making Heidi sick.

I'm sorry but I would be a little worried about her. Keep putting the food where she'll have it lick it. She needs something in her system.

Vibes she's better soon!

I know that you've had a bad experience with meds but---the vet can prescribe meds that will calm the stomach down and stimulate her appetite.  Just a thought.

Still not eating, but I'm having more success with the wiping the baby food on her.  I managed to get almost her whole dose of medicine down her this morning as well.  She has been a teensy bit more active today and even played with me a bit this morning, but she still just mostly wants to sleep.

Even if she does start eating tonight, I will still be at the vet at the crack of dawn with her tomorrow morning.  It's been too long without a decent meal. 

The only silver lining to this dark cloud is the fact that I've been letting her out of her "cell" into the general kitty population during the day.  Because she doesn't feel well, she has been very calm and allowed all five of her new roommates to inspect her.  A little hissing, a couple of growls...but mostly sniffing and nose to nose touching. 

Sarge has been redirecting his anger at the situation a bit by attacking his sister and aunt and chasing them into the house this morning.  But I've been handling it calmly so that seems to help.  What it didn't help was Princess showing her displeasure by spraying my new recliner.  (Enzyme cleaner to the rescue!)  At least...I think it was Princess.  /sigh

Heidi came back upstairs on her own and got in her bed, the baby gates are back up and all is calm for the time being.  I guess this is a small taste of what it feels like to have kids... I'm covered in baby food, exhausted, stinky and way behind on my housework.  If I had mushy Cheerios stuck in my hair...the picture would be complete!

I wish I could edit my last post.

Heidi ate some stuff!  Treats first off...then she licked half a jar of Gerber Turkey baby food off my finger just a bit ago. Washed it down with some KMR milk (gotta get that taurine!).  Anxiety and panic have morphed into mild worry and tentative, cautious relief.

(Pause while Heidi climbs up me, nuzzles into my neck and wraps around my shoulder.) Thats a good sign right?

I think we might be nearing the edge of the darkened woods. I can see light up ahead.  Now...lets just hope we don't run into any Rodents of Unusual Size on our way out.  Personally....I don't think they exist.