- Joined
- Feb 15, 2016
- Messages
- 15
- Purraise
- 15
Hi Everyone,
We've been feeding a stray (around 7 months - calico cat) outside of our apartment complex but weather got really cold so we decided to spay her and find a peaceful home at the beginning of January. But things did not go as planned and we couldn't find a home to her sadly.. Even though she is one of the most cuddly, loving and purring cats I have ever seen So I decided to take her as a second cat in our home as a last resort because we didn't want to release such a lovely cat back to streets again. Before I take her home she was administered her parasite shots, FIV, FCOV, FELV tests - which are all clear-
I have a 3 years old Scottish straight female (spayed) cat. She is a mellow, really shy and a skittish cat with no cat experience other than her litter mates. She gets stressed quickly (guests, sounds, children, vet visits etc) And to be honest I am a little bit afraid things will be bad for her... She is not a cuddly and purry cat, doesn't like to be petted but she follows around me whenever I go I am out of home at least 12 hours a day so I thought a friend will be better for her...
I've talked to so many friends, did lots of research online for bringing home a second cat. And I want to share my day by day experience in this forum in hope that this thread will be helpful for people who want to bring home a second cat. Also I will be really glad if you can help/ direct me if I am doing something wrong or missing with you valuable experiences.
Sorry for the long background post but I thought giving this information will be helpful. Thanks for sticking up with until here
DIARY STARTS HERE
Above contains background of cats
So here it goes I used abbreviations for EC: Existing Cat NC:New Cat for more clear understanding..
I also underlined places which stresses me or I think valuable information
Day 1:
I brought NC to home in the box and put her in the threshold. EC just looked and turned her back and walked away a little bit. Just as I thought thank god things will be good, EC started hissing NC but NC didn't do anything. After that EC ran away and hid under the bed which brought a pang of guilt to me
I brought NC to the room which is only for her accommodation played with her, petted her and went back to check EC.
EC looks frightened walks close to floor, I used valerian extract on her fur (which I think did not have any affect at all ) But she got calmer and slept after an hour.
I tried to feed them behind the doors NC finished her food but EC got scared and ran away. She did eat some time later though..
Also I petted them without washing my hand for smell exchange. I put old bed, toys etc. of EC to NC's room for her to get accustomed to EC's smell.
After trying this smell exchange thing, EC started to ran away from me and pawed me a couple times so I stopped it for today. It doesn't matter where she is in the house EC is always looking at the direction of NC's door.
Day 2:
Slept with EC but I woke up a couple of times in the night and saw EC in front of NC's door.
I tried to give them food behind the doors in the morning. But they kept hissing each other. NC finished hers but EC didn't touch her food again
EC even hissed at me and pawed my ankles a couple of times which is really not her attitude towards me and this worries me. She is also a little bit agitated doesn't allow me to pet her, touch her..
I used "sock method" to exchange their smells. First I petted NC with the sock and put it in front of EC with a treat. She didn't like the smell at first but she ate the treat. After that I thought If I can not make them eat food simultaneously I should try feeding them on top of each others smell. I put food bowl on the sock which contains NC's smell. And she ate from the bowl a couple of times But EC gets tense often after she gets the smell.
Day 3:
Will start tomorrow and I'm thinking doing the same stuff: sock exchange, mutual feeding behind the doors, spending time with EC a lot.
I'm also thinking of putting the cushion that NC uses outside for EC to smell it.. What to do you think about that?
And for day four I'm thinking about switching rooms for a short time..
I really appreciate your recommendations for day 3 or forth.
Thanks a lot for reading & suggestions
We've been feeding a stray (around 7 months - calico cat) outside of our apartment complex but weather got really cold so we decided to spay her and find a peaceful home at the beginning of January. But things did not go as planned and we couldn't find a home to her sadly.. Even though she is one of the most cuddly, loving and purring cats I have ever seen So I decided to take her as a second cat in our home as a last resort because we didn't want to release such a lovely cat back to streets again. Before I take her home she was administered her parasite shots, FIV, FCOV, FELV tests - which are all clear-
I have a 3 years old Scottish straight female (spayed) cat. She is a mellow, really shy and a skittish cat with no cat experience other than her litter mates. She gets stressed quickly (guests, sounds, children, vet visits etc) And to be honest I am a little bit afraid things will be bad for her... She is not a cuddly and purry cat, doesn't like to be petted but she follows around me whenever I go I am out of home at least 12 hours a day so I thought a friend will be better for her...
I've talked to so many friends, did lots of research online for bringing home a second cat. And I want to share my day by day experience in this forum in hope that this thread will be helpful for people who want to bring home a second cat. Also I will be really glad if you can help/ direct me if I am doing something wrong or missing with you valuable experiences.
Sorry for the long background post but I thought giving this information will be helpful. Thanks for sticking up with until here
DIARY STARTS HERE
Above contains background of cats
So here it goes I used abbreviations for EC: Existing Cat NC:New Cat for more clear understanding..
I also underlined places which stresses me or I think valuable information
Day 1:
I brought NC to home in the box and put her in the threshold. EC just looked and turned her back and walked away a little bit. Just as I thought thank god things will be good, EC started hissing NC but NC didn't do anything. After that EC ran away and hid under the bed which brought a pang of guilt to me
I brought NC to the room which is only for her accommodation played with her, petted her and went back to check EC.
EC looks frightened walks close to floor, I used valerian extract on her fur (which I think did not have any affect at all ) But she got calmer and slept after an hour.
I tried to feed them behind the doors NC finished her food but EC got scared and ran away. She did eat some time later though..
Also I petted them without washing my hand for smell exchange. I put old bed, toys etc. of EC to NC's room for her to get accustomed to EC's smell.
After trying this smell exchange thing, EC started to ran away from me and pawed me a couple times so I stopped it for today. It doesn't matter where she is in the house EC is always looking at the direction of NC's door.
Day 2:
Slept with EC but I woke up a couple of times in the night and saw EC in front of NC's door.
I tried to give them food behind the doors in the morning. But they kept hissing each other. NC finished hers but EC didn't touch her food again
EC even hissed at me and pawed my ankles a couple of times which is really not her attitude towards me and this worries me. She is also a little bit agitated doesn't allow me to pet her, touch her..
I used "sock method" to exchange their smells. First I petted NC with the sock and put it in front of EC with a treat. She didn't like the smell at first but she ate the treat. After that I thought If I can not make them eat food simultaneously I should try feeding them on top of each others smell. I put food bowl on the sock which contains NC's smell. And she ate from the bowl a couple of times But EC gets tense often after she gets the smell.
Day 3:
Will start tomorrow and I'm thinking doing the same stuff: sock exchange, mutual feeding behind the doors, spending time with EC a lot.
I'm also thinking of putting the cushion that NC uses outside for EC to smell it.. What to do you think about that?
And for day four I'm thinking about switching rooms for a short time..
I really appreciate your recommendations for day 3 or forth.
Thanks a lot for reading & suggestions