Making a feral into a housecat

juleska

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   In fact....I think he's at the perfect stage to start introducing toys. Play therapy is a wonderful way to help a cat integrate. You help distract him from the things making him anxious by engaging his hunter instincts. A playful cat is a happy cat, and the play will help him come out of his stage. Try some wand toys, feather toys especially. Even dragging a piece of string around the floor will help engage him.

You're doing great! It's a slow process but everything you're doing will pay off. He seems like such a sweetie pie.
 
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Boris Diamond

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Update - Things are mostly good, but...Sammy is attacking my hand.  He started Thursday night.  On Thursday afternoon, Diamond got into the bathroom.  When I saw the door open and hurried in, Diamond was at the far end of the bathroom facing away from Sammy.  Sammy was in a box behind the door hissing.  I'm not sure they interacted.  Diamond was not in there long.  I removed Diamond quickly and reassured Sammy.  That night the hand attacks started.  I can't think of any thing else that might have caused it.  Maybe it's a phase.  I immediately stop petting him if he rolls over on his back.  I still get swatted sometimes..  Now that a few days have gone by he swats without using claws.  Overall he is less assured.  Several other things happened since Thursday that may have been stressful to him.  Slowly he is getting over it.  Definitely a setback.  But we will get there.  It has been so smooth that I forget that he had not been handled until 3 and a half weeks ago.

@juleska  - I have a track ball as you had pictured and put it in the room.  It will take him time get used to it   I think he enjoys watching me play with it!  
  I tried him on a string toy last week but he was not interested.  I tried again this week and he was ready.  He is better at catching the toy every time I play with him.  He has lots of things to bat around the floor.  I put a scratcher in the room that he is using.  It is an emery scratcher.  My cats rarely use it.  He is using it. 

I am pleased with the progress.  Sammy is a nice cat.  But he wants out of the bathroom.  Who can blame him!   Even so, I think it best to wait until he trusts me more to introduce him to other cats.
 

juleska

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It took my feral boy a long time to start using the scratcher but he freaking loves it now. Slow and steady progress!
 

robynandcakecat

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All going well! If you need any of my advice feel free to ask!
robynandcakecat and btw Romeo is a sweet name!
 
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Boris Diamond

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Update - The new kitty does not hiss any more.  He will still try to scratch under certain circumstances.  If he is close to the area under the sink, he is very likely to scratch.  If he is near his cardboard hiding box he is likely to scratch.  If my hand is open and not balled up he is more likely to scratch.  Also if I am sitting on the floor he is less likely to scratch.  He never scratched until 9 days ago.  Maybe he feels empowered!  
 

He does not hide when I stand up, and sometimes he will rub my leg.  I don't pet him as much, but I spend time reading near him.  He loves to play with the Neko Kattipede.   He is fun to play with!   He is scratching less, but I recognize the situations where he might scratch and avoid them.  I disengage from him when he scratches.  I sometimes leave the room.  I'm hoping we get through this phase soon!  We did have a good petting session this morning with no scratch attempts.

He still needs baby talk him to calm him.  I'm hoping that phase ends soon too!

I took him to the vets Tuesday.  The distemper and FIV booster shots he got when he was spayed were just boosters, I think to lessen the load on his system.  He needed the full vaccine and he is now fully immunized.  The vet said to bring another fecal sample in next week to check for parasites again.

He wants out of the bathroom.  I did not get the door closed all the way today (the latch sticks) and Diamond got partway in the room and hissed.  New kitty did not seem afraid.  He went over to the door to check it out.  I was surprised!  I'm pretty sure Boris will accept the new kitty as Boris is a laid back cat.  I am worried about Diamond.  It is time to start introducing them, though I realize it may be a very slow process.  I read my posts from the first one.  It makes me realize how far we have come.

I am undecided on a name.  Murphy, Smoky, Romeo and Sammy are all good names.  A name has to grow on me and work for me and it can take me a while. 

@robynandcakecat  - Today I picked him up with a towel as shown in the wikihow link. Thanks!  I moved him two feet and I could feel him purr while I was moving him.  I'm looking forward to the day I can get a real cuddle from him!

Thanks again everyone for all the encouragement and well wishes.
 
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Boris Diamond

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My new kitty has been doing well.  Until Friday.  It seems he has swallowed something and probably has a blocked intestine, though they can not see it on x-ray.  He stopped eating and drinking and then threw up about half a dozen times.  Palpations of his intestines do not cause him pain, so it's not urgent or I would have already had it done by the emergency clinic.   All other signs point to blocked intestine and exploratory surgery.   The emergency vet clinic wants to do surgery at the cost of $2500 to $3500.  I already owe them $1200.  I can do this, but there goes my emergency reserves of money.  I have tried to talk my regular vet into doing it, as it will be much cheaper.  It is a hardship for him as Monday he is off and he will have to call a vet tech in to help him.  He said he would do it for free if I give him hunting rights on some land a friend and I own.  Problem is, he spent Saturday night trying to convince my friend to do just that.  My friend said "no."  Then he got real pushy with me over several texts.  We have some people who have been taking care of the land for 20 years and hunting it too.  We do not want to throw them off for no good reason when we have a good situation.  My friend that I own the land with, the vet considers his best friend. My friend is not pleased with the situation.  I'm not happy either.  It seems a crappy thing to do after being told no several times Saturday.  

I was texting with my friend and with the vet and I accidentally sent a text meant for my friend to the vet!   In it I called the vet pushy and more.
  I immediately sent the vet a text saying that it was meant for my other friend.  I just could not give him hunting rights.  Can you do anything for me?  (Hope springs eternal!)  A few minutes later, I got a text from the vet saying to bring the cat in, that he would take care of it.  Imagine my surprise!  Maybe sometimes honesty is the best policy, even if it's inadvertent. 

It is snowing tonight and my vet may not make it in. The doctor at the emergency vet said the surgeon there has never failed to make it.  So if snow causes a problem, I will have it done at the emergency vets.
 
 

evamilly

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My new kitty has been doing well.  Until Friday.  It seems he has swallowed something and probably has a blocked intestine, though they can not see it on x-ray.  He stopped eating and drinking and then threw up about half a dozen times.  Palpations of his intestines do not cause him pain, so it's not urgent or I would have already had it done by the emergency clinic.   All other signs point to blocked intestine and exploratory surgery.   The emergency vet clinic wants to do surgery at the cost of $2500 to $3500.  I already owe them $1200.  I can do this, but there goes my emergency reserves of money.  I have tried to talk my regular vet into doing it, as it will be much cheaper.  It is a hardship for him as Monday he is off and he will have to call a vet tech in to help him.  He said he would do it for free if I give him hunting rights on some land a friend and I own.  Problem is, he spent Saturday night trying to convince my friend to do just that.  My friend said "no."  Then he got real pushy with me over several texts.  We have some people who have been taking care of the land for 20 years and hunting it too.  We do not want to throw them off for no good reason when we have a good situation.  My friend that I own the land with, the vet considers his best friend. My friend is not pleased with the situation.  I'm not happy either.  It seems a crappy thing to do after being told no several times Saturday.  

I was texting with my friend and with the vet and I accidentally sent a text meant for my friend to the vet!   In it I called the vet pushy and more.:wife:   I immediately sent the vet a text saying that it was meant for my other friend.  I just could not give him hunting rights.  Can you do anything for me?  (Hope springs eternal!)  A few minutes later, I got a text from the vet saying to bring the cat in, that he would take care of it.  Imagine my surprise!  Maybe sometimes honesty is the best policy, even if it's inadvertent. 

It is snowing tonight and my vet may not make it in. The doctor at the emergency vet said the surgeon there has never failed to make it.  So if snow causes a problem, I will have it done at the emergency vets.:paranoid:  
How is Kitty? Did the vet make it in?
 
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Boris Diamond

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Thanks for inquiring.  My regular vet did the surgery.  He was lots cheaper than the emergency clinic, as he did it for his cost.  He thoroughly checked his intestines out and found nothing.  The symptoms were indicating blockage, but I was told it may be an infection, which it probably was.  I'm just glad he is ok.  He is eating fine and moving around without a problem.  I don't think he needs the painkillers that the vet gave me.  He has a large incision, and he will need the sutures taken out in a week or so.

He is very well liked by all who have seen him.  One of the ladies at the emergency clinic said "I am in love with your cat."  Another said that everyone at the clinic loves my kitty.  I do too!  He is such a lover!  I never thought that a formerly feral cat could be so sweet and affectionate. I feel so blessed to have him.  I was prepared to pay the $2500 to 3500 to the emergency clinic if my vet had not made it in.  It would be a hardship, but I thought which do I want more, money, or this kitty.  It would not have been a hard decision.
 
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shadowsrescue

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So glad all went well. Good that it was not a blockage.  Hopefully he will heal nicely.  Just know that cats often have a difficult time showing pain.  It is best to follow the vets advice and give the pain killers.  He may be in pain and you are not able to tell.  Since he has a large incision you don't want him moving around too much.  I would continue with the pain killers
 
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Boris Diamond

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@ShadowsRescue  - Thanks.  I wasn't thinking.  I gave him a dose four hours ago and will give him another in 8 hours.  I have a personal prejudice against pain killers.  I should not have let it influence treatment.

@Zed Xyzed   - It will probably be Sammy.  It seems to suit him.  
 

shadowsrescue

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@ShadowsRescue  - Thanks.  I wasn't thinking.  I gave him a dose four hours ago and will give him another in 8 hours.  I have a personal prejudice against pain killers.  I should not have let it influence treatment.

@Zed Xyzed   - It will probably be Sammy.  It seems to suit him.  
I totally understand that.  I too dislike pain killers.  Yet when dealing with animals it's so hard.  They have no way to tell us they hurt.  Cats are the worst.  My indoor cat had 4 teeth extractions this fall.  He hated the pain meds and I didn't want to give it.  My vet insisted I give it as it would help him heal and reminded me that I would have no idea he was in pain. 

I did what was best.  I too thought he seemed fine.  Yet the meds did make a difference.  He healed very quickly. 

Keep us updated!
 

kittychick

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I"m so glad to hear he made it through the surgery!

Just so you don't feel alone - we're going through a similar concern with one of our guys - a 12 year old sweetie named Jo. He's been having what appear to be constipation issues (he's had brief bouts of this for years - but this time it's caused a fever, straining, etc.). He's been to the vet 3 times in 2 weeks - - and is on his third antibiotic. He's acting great but back to straining last few days, so looks like vet visit #4 tomorrow! And I so worry we'll end up headed the surgical route eventually. Money's an issue for us too - - but it's so hard to worry about the money when it's one of your beloved pets. And SO few people would be as kind as you - to even be considering a surgery that costly for a kitty they just brought in only weeks ago (although I know you knew him longer)!!!! So caring of you - - -he's definitely found the right human :)

I too would keep giving the painkillers if at all possible (hopefully they're in liquid form, not pill - - usually pain meds sent home are in liquid form). Cats are genetically programmed to not show that they're in pain until it's severe. They're very stoic animals. And any kind of large incision surgery - particularly something where a lot of internal things have been manipulated - means he's having to heal both inside and out, which (while it's absolutely best you did this for him!!!) is a lot for their body to recover from. And just like with humans & pain medications, the best thing with pain meds (particularly with pain from something like a surgery) is to continue to stay "in front" of the pain. Medicating once pain is severe is harder for the system (cat or person) to get the pain under control. A steady supply of pain medications (in the proper dose and timing) is what truly will help keep him more comfortable.

Had to include a picture of the little TNR feral we ended up bringing inside a bout a year and a half ago.."Flick" for the little flick of white that forms a heart on her chest....needless to say your picture of your guy made me think of her! 

Definitely keep the timing on the intro with your other guys slow - - I'd 100% make sure he's healed before trying any introductions. Because while he's healing, he'll know he's not at 100% and may try to overcompensate and be more aggressive than he normally would as a defense mechanism. And your other guys may sense his weakness - which is never good when introducing. I know how hard it is when you know they want out into a larger world - a bathroom's so small. But for the moment - you're doing the best thing. Particularly as he heals.

Hope he continues to do well. Keep us posted - and never be afraid to ask questions. Particularly about introductions. Chances are someone has an answer! 

 
 

evamilly

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Thanks for inquiring.  My regular vet did the surgery.  He was lots cheaper than the emergency clinic, as he did it for his cost.  He thoroughly checked his intestines out and found nothing.  The symptoms were indicating blockage, but I was told it may be an infection, which it probably was.  I'm just glad he is ok.  He is eating fine and moving around without a problem.  I don't think he needs the painkillers that the vet gave me.  He has a large incision, and he will need the sutures taken out in a week or so.

He is very well liked by all who have seen him.  One of the ladies at the emergency clinic said "I am in love with your cat."  Another said that everyone at the clinic loves my kitty.  I do too!  He is such a lover!  I never thought that a formerly feral cat could be so sweet and affectionate. I feel so blessed to have him.  I was prepared to pay the $2500 to 3500 to the emergency clinic if my vet had not made it in.  It would be a hardship, but I thought which do I want more, money, or this kitty.  It would not have been a hard decision.
Thank goodness he is ok now! I think your vet should give you a big discount on cost price after being so pushy! But anyway at least he did the surgery. It must be very rewarding that a former feral is so affectionate with you. One of my cats was stray (I think previously owned), she was so scared of people when I first took her in, now she sleeps on my lap at night, and wants attention all the time. I think they are so appreciative of a lovely warm home, and plenty of food!
 
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Boris Diamond

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Sammy has been hacking.  I took him to the vet's today and he got a shot of prednisone.  He is not hacking nearly as much this evening.  He is very hungry!

I would like to introduce the cats, but with Sammy having a 4-5 inch incision, it probably won't happen for a while.  I injured my leg in an fall on ice Monday and it is difficult to get down on the floor with Sammy right now.  When you are on his level he is so very affectionate.  When I am sitting, he is affectionate, but sometimes bats my hand, without claws.  I hope he can get used to me sitting!

I am worried about him as long as he is hacking.  It's like he is trying to throw up a hairball, but nothing comes out.  

@kittychick  - Flick looks very much like Sammy.  Good looking kitty!  
 

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I"m so glad to hear he made it through the surgery!

Just so you don't feel alone - we're going through a similar concern with one of our guys - a 12 year old sweetie named Jo. He's been having what appear to be constipation issues (he's had brief bouts of this for years - but this time it's caused a fever, straining, etc.). He's been to the vet 3 times in 2 weeks - - and is on his third antibiotic. He's acting great but back to straining last few days, so looks like vet visit #4 tomorrow! And I so worry we'll end up headed the surgical route eventually. Money's an issue for us too - - but it's so hard to worry about the money when it's one of your beloved pets. And SO few people would be as kind as you - to even be considering a surgery that costly for a kitty they just brought in only weeks ago (although I know you knew him longer)!!!! So caring of you - - -he's definitely found the right human :)

I too would keep giving the painkillers if at all possible (hopefully they're in liquid form, not pill - - usually pain meds sent home are in liquid form). Cats are genetically programmed to not show that they're in pain until it's severe. They're very stoic animals. And any kind of large incision surgery - particularly something where a lot of internal things have been manipulated - means he's having to heal both inside and out, which (while it's absolutely best you did this for him!!!) is a lot for their body to recover from. And just like with humans & pain medications, the best thing with pain meds (particularly with pain from something like a surgery) is to continue to stay "in front" of the pain. Medicating once pain is severe is harder for the system (cat or person) to get the pain under control. A steady supply of pain medications (in the proper dose and timing) is what truly will help keep him more comfortable.

Had to include a picture of the little TNR feral we ended up bringing inside a bout a year and a half ago.."Flick" for the little flick of white that forms a heart on her chest....needless to say your picture of your guy made me think of her! 

Definitely keep the timing on the intro with your other guys slow - - I'd 100% make sure he's healed before trying any introductions. Because while he's healing, he'll know he's not at 100% and may try to overcompensate and be more aggressive than he normally would as a defense mechanism. And your other guys may sense his weakness - which is never good when introducing. I know how hard it is when you know they want out into a larger world - a bathroom's so small. But for the moment - you're doing the best thing. Particularly as he heals.

Hope he continues to do well. Keep us posted - and never be afraid to ask questions. Particularly about introductions. Chances are someone has an answer! 

 
Has the kitty had an enema to try to unblock him?
 

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I am new to having a feral cat as well. My mother in law lost her home and ended up in a senior apartment, she had always had cats and had been trying to get a cat but many shelters would not allow her to have one because of her age. So we set out to find her a cat. We were looking for an older cat and one that would be happy living indoors, as she was in a senior apartment. We took in her cat because she was an indoor/outdoor cat. I found a cat in an ad. The woman that had him, was seeking a home for her 9 year old cat because she felt he was just not happy living with her. She was seeking a child free home for him as she thought the kids were why he was so fearful. She got him from a shelter and had been told that he was abandoned and belonged to an older couple. We brought him to my mother in laws apartment and he hid for weeks. Once we would find him and catch him, he loved being petted, purred like crazy but would retreat to hiding right after. He would come out of hiding every night, eat, roam the apartment, sleep on her bed, but then he would hide all day long. Then she was in an auto accident and had to go into a nursing home for months. The apartment place said we had to take the cat, not just come in and out to feed him. So we did. I did not want to really do this because my cats are little monsters and I did not want hers to pick up their habits, remember that a docile indoor cat was what we were aiming for for her. We were afraid that my 5 cats would be his undoing and he would probably be so terrified that we would never see him. Preparing for the longest cat intro ever, we introduced him. Within 5 minutes, they were rubbing eachother, and sniffing eachother, he was totally calm and at ease with my kitties. Feral cats are very social around other cats, I had read. He hid from us for a week, but when we would wake up at night we would catch him out hanging out with the other kitties. My kitties spent most of that first week in the basement hanging out with their new best friend. Desperate to socialize him, we would flush him out every night and corner him, and catch him, bring him to the couch where he would purr and kneed, and snuggle. After that he would still retreat, like run for his life to the basement. After 3 weeks of this, he finally started making it easier for us to catch him. One day he bolted for the door while my other cats were going outside for their after dinner playtime, I have one that prefers to sit halfway between in and out. Anyways we were able to call him back inside, then we have to stand away from the door so he can enter. I gave him a treat for returning. Chicken. My other cats ate it off the plate as usual, but he would take his chunks and run away with them to the basement, eat them, then come back for more. Then he approached me for petting for the first time! I had been so scared that with him being indoors for 4 years, and his wild nature, that if he got out we would never see him again. He then started begging to go outside and after a day of consideration, he went out. After an hour I called him and he came back, but not in. After two hours he came when I called him from up the street. His outings have made him into a very happy boy and he is starting to become a whole new cat. He did a 360. He now comes out in the family areas with us, and approaches us when he wants attention. When we let him in, we can even walk up to him and pet him, he acts like he is so grateful that he can go out now. Later on he still shrinks away from us if we approach. After being with us for a month and a half, I feel like the shelter the lady got him from told her a good story. There is no way this cat was not a feral. She had him for 4 years and was in tears when we picked him up. She thought that she was the one making him so unhappy, and sad that she felt she could never give him the life he needed. He must have been living wild for a long time, at least during prime socialization time. We love our boy and his wild nature is ok with us. My other kitties seem to know what he is and seem to be almost teaching him all about the domestic life and maybe it means more coming from other cats because he is responding. Who would have thought that him going outside with other kitties would make him MORE domestic, and not less. For him, I think he will always be different. Maybe with your kitty, he is going to be easier to domesticate because of his age. For us we have just accepted that our boy will always be forever wild in nature.
 

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Just an update, also we are learning that our boys outings have to happen at night. He is nocturnal. It was our first 60 degree day of the year and we tried to get him out to see how nice it was out. He was terrified and right back in the house. I suppose from a feral cats perspective, they had to once avoid all noises, and people to survive, so during the day time, I suppose all that activity is scary to him. Most days he sleeps during the day. He is 9 years old and has lived in an indoor environment for 4 of those years, and this nocturnal nature is still there. 
 
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Boris Diamond

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I waited to introduce the cats.  Sammy had ear mites and then the surgery, so the actual introduction had to wait until Sammy was healed.  They ate on other sides of the bathroom door for a week or so while Sammy finished healing.  I would turn off all the fans in the bathroom so the cats could hear each other.  I would hold the door open an inch and let the cats look at each other.  Diamond hissed once, but mostly there was interest instead of fear.  

I decided Sammy was healed and moved him to the back room.  There is a sliding glass door between the rooms which I left open an inch.  I fed them on either side of the glass door.  Boris sat at the door and growled softly for an hour or two.  Diamond watched intensely.  The next day, Diamond slipped past me and confronted Sammy.  They stared at each other and there were a few efforts at sniffing each other.  They were both nervous, but there was no growling, hissing or fighting.  After ten minutes, I picked Diamond up (he hissed at me!) and took him out of the back room.  I decided to introduce Boris and Sammy tonight.  I fed them with the door open.  The cats ignored each other and ate.  Then they went their separate ways.  I let Diamond in and everything remained smooth.  After three hours it is still calm.

Diamond is needing extra attention and reassurance.  I suspect he went through several living situations before he came to live with me and is still insecure about losing his home.  Change, like a new kitty, makes him nervous.  Diamond is an affectionate kitty and it's easy to give him extra snugs.  Boris does not seem to care, but he can be sneaky and bears watching.

I hope I am close to having this new kitty fully introduced to my home.  I will separate him tonight, but if it keeps going smoothly we should be a unified home soon.  Sammy is excited but not really sure of himself.  He is staying in the back room even thought the door is open.  I suspect this is a sensory overload for him!  It will be fascinating to see what this sweet kitty develops into.
 

juleska

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I waited to introduce the cats.  Sammy had ear mites and then the surgery, so the actual introduction had to wait until Sammy was healed.  They ate on other sides of the bathroom door for a week or so while Sammy finished healing.  I would turn off all the fans in the bathroom so the cats could hear each other.  I would hold the door open an inch and let the cats look at each other.  Diamond hissed once, but mostly there was interest instead of fear.  

I decided Sammy was healed and moved him to the back room.  There is a sliding glass door between the rooms which I left open an inch.  I fed them on either side of the glass door.  Boris sat at the door and growled softly for an hour or two.  Diamond watched intensely.  The next day, Diamond slipped past me and confronted Sammy.  They stared at each other and there were a few efforts at sniffing each other.  They were both nervous, but there was no growling, hissing or fighting.  After ten minutes, I picked Diamond up (he hissed at me!) and took him out of the back room.  I decided to introduce Boris and Sammy tonight.  I fed them with the door open.  The cats ignored each other and ate.  Then they went their separate ways.  I let Diamond in and everything remained smooth.  After three hours it is still calm.

Diamond is needing extra attention and reassurance.  I suspect he went through several living situations before he came to live with me and is still insecure about losing his home.  Change, like a new kitty, makes him nervous.  Diamond is an affectionate kitty and it's easy to give him extra snugs.  Boris does not seem to care, but he can be sneaky and bears watching.

I hope I am close to having this new kitty fully introduced to my home.  I will separate him tonight, but if it keeps going smoothly we should be a unified home soon.  Sammy is excited but not really sure of himself.  He is staying in the back room even thought the door is open.  I suspect this is a sensory overload for him!  It will be fascinating to see what this sweet kitty develops into.
This is a great update! I'm going through a REALLY challenging integration myself so it's encouraging to me to see your progress. You're doing awesome. 
 
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