Need input - FIV+ and FIV- cats living together. Risks/Concerns

Where you able to get him back in the house? I hope he is ok 

Just checking in I hope everyone is ok 

Same here...hope he's back inside safe and sound!!

@Zed Xyzed

@kittyluv387

Just got on the site this morning.  Thank you for asking about this.  Yes, Orville came in a little while later. I had to pick him up when he got close to the door and put him inside though. He'd been doing the "do I want in or do I want to stay out thing" once and I wasn't going to start that again.   He was so happy outside. Tinkling on the grass, sniffing by the back hedge and otherwise just prancing along. I felt bad about having him return to the inside. He's been a little more subdued since the altercation with Chaucer, and he'd lost his quest for the other cats' attention.

This morning, the Grey Kitty came back and Orville was in the high window. I think that cat tried to jump seven feet to the ledge because Henryetta howled. I caught Chaucer before he could react and put him in my bedroom and then got Henryetta into the guest bedroom. Orville remained frozen on the window ledge. I mean he wouldn't budge. GK sat on the ground below looking up and growling. I finally had to go to the front door and call GK, who came just as nice as could be. I went in, shut the door and eventually Orville came down from the perch. I've just let the other two out of their "rooms."  I do NOT understand what it is about that huge cat outside who creates such havoc amongst other cats. The fear of a real confrontation between Chaucer, Henryetta (even) and Orville is very real when that cat is around.

@HarleyQ143    Thanks. There are so many reasons I was concerned about him getting out.  He's got no fleas, no worms and is healthy. All I could think about was his compromised immune system and him catching something. The busy street also is a worry.

Wheh, that's great news! I totally understand, I would have the same exact worries that you had. BW is still stuck in the bathroom but I've been contemplating letting him out into the adjacent hallway and bedrooms now. I'm dreading the point when he has free range because I'm wondering if I'll be constantly fighting him away from getting out the front or back doors. The negative effect GK's presence has on your kitty kids sounds territorial but I'm curious as to why they would attack each other! I would like to know myself.

So glad Orville's back home

HarleyQ143 said:

 
Wheh, that's great news! I totally understand, I would have the same exact worries that you had. BW is still stuck in the bathroom but I've been contemplating letting him out into the adjacent hallway and bedrooms now. I'm dreading the point when he has free range because I'm wondering if I'll be constantly fighting him away from getting out the front or back doors. The negative effect GK's presence has on your kitty kids sounds territorial but I'm curious as to why they would attack each other! I would like to know myself.

So glad Orville's back home

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Frustration on Chaucer's part.  He has attacked Henryetta in he past when GK has been around outside. GK comes to the door and growls. Henryetta has literally screamed at him and Chaucer gets very excited and turns on Henryetta.  In Orville's case, he was okay with GK outside and just crouched in his bed like he did on the window ledge, but the other day when GK was outside, Chaucer went f

or Orville, and I can't have a real attack with Orville getting into attack mode as well.

I just read your post in your thread and I'm not sure what the answer is.  Yes, it is good that BK and Harley are play-swatting through the gate. That's what Chaucer and Orville did through the opened part of the back glass door and you may be seeing some resignation at his situation by BW.  I suppose you could try it using some ribbons or something to encourage a play therapy atmosphere. I did that with Chaucer and Henryetta.  It isn't working so well with Orville and the other two because Orville doesn't give them a chance to chase and play.

How's it going with your fur babies?!

Here's a photo of breakfast at my house. Orville likes to eat all the food. Henryetta is a close second. Poor Chaucer has never really had to hunt for food so he treats food differently. I have had to put Chaucer's dish on the little kitchen table island, but that doesn't stop Orville at times. I have to put Chaucer's food in the refrigerator and bring it out a little later when Chaucer wants more. The boys like to play together.  Henryetta still hisses and growls at Orville sometimes and she swats his head too, but I've noticed she is not using her claws. Once-in-a-while they all will be on my bed, but Orville tends to leave quickly because Henryetta is not so welcoming. Orville is a very sweet-natured cat.  I couldn't have asked for a better addition. He listens to me and he is very tolerant of Henryetta's behavior. Another thing I have noticed about the males' interactions with Henryetta is that they approached her differently from the start. Chaucer, having been neutered when he was a very young kitten (long story) treated her like a playmate despite him being 2 when she joined us in the house. He had no boundaries and ignored her protests of hissing/growling. I don't think he knew any better. Orville, however, having been an intact Tom knew the rules. He's pursuing her as if she were a female with whom he wanted to mate. She, being an experienced outdoor female who has clearly mated, had kittens and so forth recognizes this and is playing the game, still. I think Orville and Henryetta are both playing this game.

Nice pic, making me smile.

Typical for Chaucer to ignore her warnings and want to play, how cute!

Henryetta rules and the boys respect that, so Orville and her will get over their game in time too, and in the end will be under her paw  

@catwoman707   If only "Lady Growley" would get over it and stop being so stuck-up!

Chaucer said:

 
@catwoman707   If only "Lady Growley" would get over it and stop being so stuck-up!

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 She's playing the 'role' beautifully!! 

She is known as Lady Mary around here.

Awww I love seeing this photo!  A royal banquet

Interesting to see how each boy approaches their relationship with Henryetta differently...so cute actually. And both are smart to know that girls rule and must be won over lol!

I hope the grey kitty is ok, it breaks your heart  to see these poor things abandoned. How is your crew? 

This morning;  I wish Henryetta was nicer to Orville. He just wants a close friendship with her.  Here, he had jumped on the Edison (his new favorite place since I had to move the potted plant to accommodate his wanting this place) and she was sitting there.  This is Orville's life with Henryetta.  She gave his head a big swat, as you can see from the ear flying to the right.


Late yesterday afternoon, I had another diner - a small gray tabby. It could have been an adult, but given the size of the tabbies - Orville, Grey Kitty and the other one who looks like Orville,  I'd guess it is one of their offspring and may be only 8 months old. It looks less than a year. I was standing inside the door and the cat looked up at me from the carport but it ran. I simply CANNOT take on another one. I still give snacks to the neighbor's torties. With them, and Henryetta, spayed, it looks like tabbies are going to rule the neighborhood.

Speaking of neighborhoods, I think Orville did come from a neighborhood 2.5 blocks away just off my street. Grey Kitty came from the direction this morning and that is where I see Orville's double.  If you have seen a large tattoo on a cat's side, due to the fur being shaved, does that mean a cat has been spayed or neutered? Over two years ago, I saw Grey Kitty like that. Of course the fur has grown back by now but it seemed odd to see a large black tattoo-like mark beneath the shaved fur.  If he has been neutered, then the little cat would most likely be Orville's offspring.

Aww, poor Orville.

It won't always be that way, just sad while it's going on, especially since he just wants to be friends.

Shaved is clearly from a vet, the tattoo on the side is odd, there must be a vet in the area who does this, although why doesn't make any sense.

Eartips are the best way to see a cat is fixed, next is a tattoo that can be seen if shaved for a spay, but on the cat's side??.....who would know to look there?!

Def. strange....

Hi @Chaucer !

Haven't logged in for awhile, just checking up on you and your cat babies. Poor Orville! He is such a sweet heart for still trying to win Henryetta's approval. He doesn't even strike back!  They look so adorable together (like siblings!) and I'm sure she'll give in to his ways eventually.  How is Chaucer settling in with him?

I learned when getting BW fixed ( I think we might name him "Oz" btw) that now the policy is to tattoo the tummies of cats when they are fixed. I didn't know that until I went to the clinic and they had an announcement posted on their front desk stating it. I'm not sure if that's nationwide, but I know that's what's going on in NJ. BW has a tattoo on his tummy and I really had wanted to give him a "rock & roll" name because of it lol. But I'm also not sure about tattoos on the side. I still get amazed at how far a cat will wander and once they discover food, they will continue to travel that distance. I'm up to about 6 cats I've been noticing coming to my food bowls and I wonder all the time where are they coming from and how far they travel to me. Wish I can take all of them in

HarleyQ143 said:

 
Hi @Chaucer !

Haven't logged in for awhile, just checking up on you and your cat babies. Poor Orville! He is such a sweet heart for still trying to win Henryetta's approval. He doesn't even strike back!  They look so adorable together (like siblings!) and I'm sure she'll give in to his ways eventually.  How is Chaucer settling in with him?

I learned when getting BW fixed ( I think we might name him "Oz" btw) that now the policy is to tattoo the tummies of cats when they are fixed. I didn't know that until I went to the clinic and they had an announcement posted on their front desk stating it. I'm not sure if that's nationwide, but I know that's what's going on in NJ. BW has a tattoo on his tummy and I really had wanted to give him a "rock & roll" name because of it lol. But I'm also not sure about tattoos on the side. I still get amazed at how far a cat will wander and once they discover food, they will continue to travel that distance. I'm up to about 6 cats I've been noticing coming to my food bowls and I wonder all the time where are they coming from and how far they travel to me. Wish I can take all of them in

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@HarleyQ143    I haven't been on for a while, either.

Orville has been an inside kitty for 5 weeks!  He has turned out to be such a sweet boy. It's also turned out that despite Orville taking over food from Chaucer and running him off the place on the blanket, Chaucer is the alpha cat. After Chaucer jumped him two or three weeks ago when Grey Kitty showed up outside and there was a borderline fight between Chaucer and Orville, Orville has changed a little. He lies in front of Chaucer (and Henryetta, and me as usual) and he will run when Chaucer jumps him. It's the same thing Henryetta does when Chaucer jumps her or bites her neck after grooming.  Orville and Chaucer sometimes do mutual social grooming and they will play.  Henryetta is slowly coming around.  She will eat out of the same plate with Orville-heads touching, will touch noses with him and will sit in the window with him. Sometimes, if he is lucky, she will let him sleep near her on the bed. She will still hiss and growl at him if he gets too close, and, as you can see, will rock his head with a swipe.Orville will still get up and follow her around.   It's almost as if the pair of them are continuing the male/female relationship of intact cats. Chaucer has been neutered since 2-3 months so he really didn't experience those hormones that the other two have.

@catwoman707  

@HarleyQ143

Regarding the tattoos, it may be that Grey Kitty was really fat  or pregnant when spayed, assuming GK is a female as I've never been able to get a good look,  because I noticed this large, almost-paisley, black tattoo on the side near where the stomach is. There was definitely a rectangular shave mark because fur has grown over it now. When I saw the mark, the cat was looking really thin, and it's always been good-sized.  I am very sure this is someone's cat. It comes right to my sliding glass door, doesn't move even if I open the door a crack. It "sniffs" my fingers through the glass and doesn't really hiss at me much through the glass. Honestly, this one must be a female despite the size because it hisses and growls like Henryetta, except it's at every cat.  I don't understand why it incites Chaucer and elicits wariness and possibly fear in the others. I mean cats run from it or, in Orville's case, he is a big blob of cringing, immovability like one who doesn't want to get in a pet carrier. So I don't know what else the tattoo could be if some vets are doing this.  Orville was not marked, nor did he have his ear notched by the vet and at that time, I'd told the vet Orville was a feral/semi-feral and lived outside.