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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Oct 9, 2006 19:04:24 GMT
If you are wondering what problems could occur with introducing a new cat into the household, this is the place to post. Every situation is different, so why not post your questions on this board, and see what advice comes your way.
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jenlee
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by jenlee on Jan 8, 2008 19:33:55 GMT
Hi, After her recent escapade, i am considering keeping honey in most of the time, and making a space outside safe for when the weather improves. I know she'll be awfully bored all on her own-some and have always thought about having two. however a total novice really, so can anyone advise, another girl, or a boy? a young one or does age not matter? when I adopted Honey she was sharing a pen with 4/5 other rescue cats and seemed unconcerned. All advice would be gratefully received, as I am definitely a rescue cat kinda girl! Thanks, Jen
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Post by fyona on Jan 8, 2008 20:52:01 GMT
I have three indoor cats and a small enclosure outside, they are all females, personally I dont think the sex matters, maybe more the personality, most people say it is easier to introduce a kitten. I had Harriet first from a kitten when she was six months old I got another kitten Molly, then I rehomed a girl older than them both, I think as long as you are very patient with introductions and dont rush it most cats turn out to like each other, some accept each other and some dont like each other. I have been very luck my three get along fine.
Good luck
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Post by fyona on Jan 9, 2008 16:47:21 GMT
Forgot to mention Jen there is an article on the home page re introductions, which gives some good advice.
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Post by cheryl on Jan 9, 2008 18:09:55 GMT
i've been lucky with our 3, Molly was on her own for a short time after our other cat Maggie sadly died.. We got Martha and Molly was not impressed at 1st .. we made sure Molly had run of the house and Martha was more limited, at night and when we were out Martha was confined to 1 room.. I told the kids that although it was tempting to fuss the kitten that it was more important to make a fuss of Molly so she'd not get jelous.. Martha wanted to be Molly's friend but Molly just wanted to do her own thing.......then i got Lexi just weeks later Took the kittens just 4 days to accept each other and curl up together . this gave Molly a break as Martha was far too busy playing with Lexi to bother the adult cat .......... eventually Molly started to want to play with the kittens but she knew she could stop and have time out when she wanted...... it's only recently that she seems as if she actually likes the kittens and they are about 8 months now.. Last night she came in pinned each one down in turn and washed them .. then the 3 of them curled up in a heap and went to sleep .. seems i got it right
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Post by susan on Jan 12, 2008 1:11:07 GMT
Jen getting Honey a friend will be the best thing you can do for her. I was always cautious about getting Rosie a friend, but after 2 weeks of bringing Sophie home they've been playmates ever since, and now they have their little stepbrother Jack, who follows Rosie around like she was his mum ;D When/if you decide on another, try and keep them apart if you can. Swap their blankets and toys over each day, and brush one cat then go and brush the other cat and vice versa several times a day so your getting each others smell onto one another. Let us know what you decide to do
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Jan 12, 2008 20:22:32 GMT
Some good tips there Susan, I like the one about swapping blankets and toys......excellent.
Chrisx
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jenlee
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by jenlee on Jan 14, 2008 17:08:30 GMT
Thanks for the advice, understand the need for keeping them apart but living in an upstairs tyneside flat makes that a little more difficult. Although there is plenty of space for Honey, I'm not sure how i'd block a part off. Definitely will be getting her someone to play with, but might leave it till easter, and during the holidays try then, so i'll be around during the day for the initial period which may help stop fur flying. Any more advice is greatly welcomed though, most of my friends are dog people, which means advice is hard to come by!
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Jan 14, 2008 18:31:01 GMT
If you cannot keep them apart by separating them into different rooms, then you can try the use of a dog cage.......
With this system, you place the newcomer in a dog cage, along with bedding, tray and food and water bowls, so it has to a 48" cage for this to work well. Then place the cage in your living area, slap bang in the middle of the room. Cover 3 sides of the cage with a blanket, and watch what happens.
You will get a lot of hissing spitting going on, that would be normal, and usually that comes from the existing cat. The newcomer quickly starts to feel secure, as it learns the other cat cannot get in, and that it only has to watch one side of the cage.
The next day, you can change over cats, and so on......
I have used this method and it works quite quickly. But dont leave them alone together while you are at work, not at this stage, you must lock one in a room for safety sake.
Chris x
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Post by susan on Jan 17, 2008 11:56:58 GMT
Like Chris said if you can keep one of them in a seperate room it can work still. I used to keep Sophie in the spare room when i first brought her home, and Jack stayed in the kitchen.
It's untidy having litterboxes, beds, toys, food and water bowls all over the house but it's just for a short term period ;D
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