How to introduce two grown kitties together

Leslie,

I sent you a PM. I am SO glad that Dan let her out. Like I said, Buddy (aka Fawn) is a very social cat and hated being in my spare room as well. After 3 nights of sleep deprivation because of her fussing, I finally let her out and it was no big deal to the others. I expected alot of bloodshed but there was none.

How is she doing with the dogs??

I will not bring her to the adoption day. I'm telling them that she has a URI (there IS a URI beginning at my house). I now live in Booger City, Michigan :p If you can, fax me the paperwork on Monday (I'll get the fax number and PM it to you) I'll get it to the shelter on my lunch hour or the next day (buying time, if you know what I mean). Just make sure you call me when you're ready to fax it so I can stand guard over the fax machine.

It makes me feel good that she's warming up to Dan. I'm sure it makes him feel good too. He's such a sweet man to sleep in the spare room so she's not lonely. I did (or TRIED) to do that when she was here and Moo was relentless at scratching on the door. He is such a spoiled brat!!! She'll come around with you in time. It could be she's just not sure about the dogs.

And please, don't worry. This IS going to work out.

I'll talk to you tonight.

(((((hugs))))))

Buddy was in hiding in the basement, where I feed Minion and the dogs so all the animals were downstairs including Buddy. All the animals knew where she was, they looked at her but didn't bug her. I fed her on top of the dryer (the cat food has to be ellevated or else the dogs will snatch it up the first moment no one's looking) and she came out and Minion made a little trill sound (he was about 6 feet from her) and then layed down. His eyes are not all black anymore. He's completely comfortable w/Buddy. She had free roam last night and nothing happened :)

I think it's perfect with her! Min has not really approched her as far as I know, but he's comfortable w/her and she is with him and the dogs :)

Yay!

Leslie I am so happy for you and for Buddy! I just can't wait for the pictures! Your current furkids sound so much like mine - introducing a new furry one was always easy for me but I am so thankful that it was. Not every introduction goes smoothly. Now we each have 2 pupsters and 2 kitties. Boy have our households changed since coming to PT. Do you think there is a little hypnotic hidden voice that we hear when we visit this site that says (you will adopt one more - you adopt one more - you will adopt one more!) LOL! What do you think about the name Budette as a feminine slant to her name? hehe! It just came to me since Hurricane Claudette was in the news! LOL! Lots of warm wishes to the new furkid on the block! :)

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Originally posted by Pam
Do you think there is a little hypnotic hidden voice that we hear when we visit this site that says (you will adopt one more - you adopt one more - you will adopt one more!) LOL!

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It is a big voice and we can't ignore it. (Five cats later).

Do you remember that we only had George when we joined this site and we were debating about a second cat!!!

I e-mailed the shelter and told them that she wouldn't be coming to the adoption day as I have a home for her. I didn't want to lie to them (although there IS a URI in my house). I'm going to the shelter in a little bit and will let them know that you are in the middle of completing the paperwork and will fax it to me and I'll get it to them as soon as possible.

I knew this would work out. Sounds like Minion wants a girlfriend afterall. But, with all due respect...Buddy :confused:??? How about "Beloved" and call her "B" for short?? Just my suggestion.

I'm relieved that it's all coming together. Letting her out of the room was the best thing for everyone.

Things definitely happen for a reason!! I did my part. Now she'll have the furrrrrever home she deserves!!

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Originally posted by PayItForward
It is a big voice and we can't ignore it. (Five cats later).

Do you remember that we only had George when we joined this site and we were debating about a second cat!!!

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:D :D :D :D

Now don't pick on his choice of names.......hee hee You can always say Buddy is short for RoseBud. :D I am glad that the "voice" is having such an influence, more kitties is ALWAYS better.:D

LOL about the name :) It's about the last name I would have chosen but we DID have a deal :) and I thought it was a very sweet thought. At this point, we plan on keeping her name Buddy, but I think shortening it to "B" is very cute. I might have to throw in that suggestion to Dan :)

Buddy is still in hiding 100% of the time. We have no idea where she is. We know she's here somewhere but we have no idea where. I feel bad, she's still so terrified. Dan was only able to pet her once and it was just for a brief moment before she darted away and that was the last we have seen her, except for this morning when I saw her briefly when I fed the animals. Hopefully she gets more comfortable.

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Originally posted by PayItForward
It is a big voice and we can't ignore it.

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Too true!!!

There are so many people that can relate...we only had Sadie when Ralph first joined (now 3 dogs)

And Molly had 4 or 5 dogs when she first joined? Now it is 20!

This site needs a warning label!!!



Sounds like things are going to work out Leslie...hopefully "B" won't hide too much longer. Since Minion seems to accept her, I'm sure she'll come around too :)

Have you been giving her a little canned food in the a.m. and p.m.? That certainly gets her attention. So do treats. Maybe you should wait to call her by her new name till she gets used to everything and everyone. It might confuse her since she HAS been called Fawnie for a while now. Just a suggestion.

Allow the cats to take their time and approach each other when they feel like meeting. Make sure they do not feel like they are trapped in the same space and can escape if they want to another area of the house. They may hiss at first but eventually they will get used to each other.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a/fba16c79.jpg

Welcome to Pet Talk :D

Why don't you start a new thread and tell us about those honeys on your signature ?

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Originally posted by Cincy'sMom
This site needs a warning label!!!

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I think the problem is that we all encourage each other to adopt pets and it easy to forget that this online community is (sadly) not representive of the human race.

On this site my six cats is about average BUT when you talk to non PT folk in the real world, they say 'HOW MANY CATS !!!' and I reply 'Just the six' For now

Minion wants a friend no doubt but poor B is scared to death. She's not eaten/drank anything all day nor has she used the litter box. Donna I have tried with canned food and she has not touched it. I did put some by her hideout and left her with it while I took the dogs for a walk and she didn't touch it. One of the dogs finally ate it for her.

I know Min wants a friend but I am concerned about B's well being. She is scared stiff and I am worried about her making herself sick. I would never forgive myself if something terrible happend to her because she is living with me.

I trapped her and had to put her back in her carrier to get her upstairs into her bedroom (NOT an easy task mind you) and she is just horrified, she's like in a state of shock. I know the dogs have been welcoming to her. They completely leave her alone. And Minion has been giving her space, so it's not him she's afraid of. I think she really bonded with you, Donna. I think she really bonded with you and your furgang because she's having a hard time adjusting to life here sofar and I am so worried about her. At this point, Donna, I am going to have to see if she eats in her bedroom. Sofar she's been in there a few hours and she's not touched her food...canned or dry. If she goes much longer w/o eating I will have to bring her back to your place for her own good. Like I said, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her because she is living with us.

Oh goodness I hope she pulls out of this fear. She's an angel. I'll call you tomorrow if there is no change, and if you have any other ideas, please let me know.

I know that you are supposed to give it time, but I don't want the poor thing getting sick or having a little heart attack.

Don't despair! A co-worker adopted a kitten from me who was so terrified at first that she hid behind a piano and cried for a couple of days (the kitten, not the co-worker)--my friend had to have someone come over and help her move the piano to get poor little Boo out. But Boo got used to her new home and now she's a completely happy kitty.

I'd keep B in the bedroom for awhile, to let her get comfortable in a small space first. When I brought Bob (who was most likely feral) indoors, he spent several weeks on the enclosed back porch before he got brave enough to move into the bedroom. From there, he started exploring the rest of the house. Now he's still shy of other people, but he's a perfectly comfortable house cat.

One thing I did with Bob was to spend a lot of time sitting on the floor--first on the porch, then in the bedroom--talking to him quietly. At first he kept his distance, then he'd come just within petting distance, and eventually he started curling up in my lap. With some cats, it takes a lot of patience--and cats don't like change--but she'll come around.

Leslie, don't go blaming yourself! You are trying your very best, and I know how big your heart is. Just keep in mind that it has been less than a week. When I first brought Kylie into my home it was over 24 hours before she used her litter box. I remember being so happy when I finally saw the leftovers!
I have a feeling that after she is in her room for awhile, she will relax and be able to get comfortable. I don't feel you are doing anything wrong!
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Calvin would not eat for over 4 days when he got here. I finally tempted him with meatloaf.
She needs to stay in that room until she is comfortable with you. This is the mistake a lot of people make. Just because they act like they want out, does not mean it is the best thing for them. Poor Buddy had no idea that she would have come face to face with a whole new territory when she cried to get out of the bedroom. She'll make it, please give her time.

I really have to echo Jen, and what EVERYONE else said early on. SLOW introductions. I know you are impatient, we all are. BUT, for both kitties sake, and the two dogs involved, you have to keep them separate. Letting B out is like exposing a candy starved kid to the chocolate factory- sensory overload. I would start completely over, and put B in her own room for a MINIMUM of two weeks, with just you and Dan visiting her. Ignore her pleas to get out. I really think these first few weeks are the critical point in the relationship. B needs to build her confidence.

Good luck.

Leslie,

I know the stress you're feeling! Try to not worry too much because I'm sure everything will work out. The first few times I moved Shiloh into a new place with me, she would get VERY STRESSED. Two of the times, she didn't eat or use her litter box at all for the first 3 days. She always adjusted though. I know all cats are different, but I would give B a little more time before worrying.

Maybe you guys can spell her name Buddie? That sounds a little more feminine, right?

I wish you the best of luck. If only we could tell the sweet girl that she won't have to worry about anything in your house.

Hi everyone. It's going well here with Buddie, AKA B. She's really adjusting well. She's still nervous of Dan and I, but we got her for Minion and so that's her soul job...to be Minion's friend. Today they were sleeping together under our bed. I looked under the bed and Saw Min's tail and I thought it was odd that he was sleeping under the bed, so I got down and looked and he's right becide B :)

So our main problem is figuring how to capture B twice a day so we can administer liquid meds for her URI that she picked up at Donna's (I feel so sorry for you Donna with all those cats and URI!). Tonight she came down into our office to spend time with us voluntarily and we had to trap her and squirt meds in her mouth. She was SOOOO upset and she promptly bolted away, most likely wishing she had never came down to spend time with us. I feel bad for her :( poor thing. Little does she know it's for her own good. So that's going to set us back with the socialization, but she'll get over eventually.

When I scooped Min's box today, I noticed an extra pile of kitty turds and an extra couple pee piles...way more then Min could ever eliminate, so she and Min are using the same box, which I think is really nice. She has not used her own box in a couple of days.

I am so proud of Minion. He's truly smitten with the new little cutie. He is so sweet and welcoming. He made those aweful sounds threw the window only that day, and since B has been loose in the house he's been a real gentleman with her, nose sniffing, litter box sharing, and now they are sleeping together. I'm so glad it is working out....now I'm waiting on my adoption application and she will be mine when I am approved (hopefully I will be!)

Thanks everyone. I'll update you on new happenings. :)

Great news Leslie!!! I'm sure she will adjust to you in time, and for now, she has found a friend in Minion. YEAH!!!!

Sleeping together? Out of wedlock (adoption)? What will the neighbors think?!:eek: ;)

Glad to hear Min and B are warming up to each other! YAY!:D

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I looked under the bed and Saw Min's tail and I thought it was odd that he was sleeping under the bed, so I got down and looked and he's right becide B

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HOW SWEET !!!!!!!:D :D

What a roller coaster! I hope she will warm up to you too, like she did with Minion. She is such a beauty and MinMin is a sweety :)

Yipee! I'm so glad Minion has taken to B! :D

I'm sure once she's feeling better she'll warm up to you and Dan right quick. And I don't think you have anything to worry about in terms of being able to adopt her. If the shelter has any problems, let them come and read this thread and see what a good mom you are to all your furkids and they shouldn't have a second thought about it.

Big hugs to Minion for being such a sweety, and to the doggies for welcoming her too. :D

What MARVELOUS news! I'm excited for you all.

Leslie,

I got your message last night. The shelter was without power for 2 days because of a violent storm on Sunday night. They ended up losing a cat :(.

I ended up driving the application over there on my lunch hour today so give it a day or so and you'll probably hear something. If I hear ANYTHING, I will call you immediately. And to answer your question, I have absolutely NO problem with you using me as a reference on the application! I never would've let B go to your house if I didn't think it was the right thing. ;)

I'm so glad to hear things are beginning to work out. Min sounds like a lovebug and I'm thrilled he's happy with her.

I think the reason she's not eating is because of the URI. She's gotta be eating and drinking, though, if she's using the litterbox, so I wouldn't worry too much.

As far as holding a grudge against the medication, she'll get over it.

I'm so happy for you!!!!! She's finally got a furrrrrrrever home!

(((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

I missed this thread and when I noticed it it seemed far to long for a follow-up: But I did it and read the wonderful story of Minion (one of my favorites here) and B.

It's rather classical: first they are curious but very very careful, then there is some hissing and spitting but friendship comes soon after. The Ti/Miley situation is not normal.

BTW I remember that thread about Minion being sick and like 5000 people minus one idiot I thought it extremely tasteless to rate it. But you know I am sure it was just some chaotic thing and nothing personal and now we wish to see more pix of Minion and his little Lady B.:) :D

Leslie,
I am so glad to hear things are moving along for the kitties!!!

Sadly, for the sake of Fawn, she is back with Donna. She was just SOOOO miserable and the worst part is that she found this hiding place in the ceiling of my basement. She came out briefly to use the litter box when no one was around, but still was not eating/drinking water. Her URI was getting really bad and I didn't want it turning into pnemonia, which it may have because I was unable to medicate her when she's hiding in the ceiling of the basement.

I called Donna and asked her what she thought, she agreed that Fawn needs to come back home. She was just not adjusting and Minion wanted to be friends with her, but he stopped approching her, I think he was hoping she would approch him, which she was way too terrified to do. :( :( :(

It was so touching, when Donna came over to get Fawn, Fawn started purring, kneeding her paws, and inhaled the food and treats Donna brought to persuade her to come out of hiding. Fawn is extremely bonded to Donna. Donna said that aside from Moo, Fawn is the first cat that has been that attached to her....and the good news is that Donna decided to adopt Fawn. I was relieved to hear that, as I don't want her to go through this again. Fawnie was even purring and making biscuts while she was in her carrier because she had her "mom" back. It was very emotional.

Donna suggest we get a kitten because they are so easy to adjust. I am going to the shelter she volunteers at on Saturday to "just look" and see if anything jumps out at me. I have a soft spot for both tuxedo and orangies, so we'll see. I just want a friend for Min. I hope he's ok with a kitten.

Thanks for the help, everyone. This was the best decision for Fawn, and I don't regret it at all, especially seeing how happy she was when she saw Donna.

First let me say that Leslie made the absolute right decision!! If Fawnie had stayed much longer, she would've gotten alot sicker due to her immune system.

On the way home, I had the door to the carrier open with my hand in it petting her. She put her paw on my hand, her head on her paw and slept the whole way home. Since she's been home, it's back to normal. She's very happy being around everyone and especially sleeping with me at night. Last night she was begging me to play fetch. I have never in my life had a foster cat bond to me and my brood as much as she has. I called the shelter yesterday and asked them about adopting her. The Director of the shelter won't be in till next Tuesday so I'll have to wait till then. I can guarantee she will have no problem with Fawnie staying with me. She's still on Clavamox (hates it) but takes it 2x a day. Her sneezing has subsided somewhat which means it's working. I also have given her Diphenhydramine for congestion and so far so good.

Carrie on the other hand has me really worried and I'm calling the shelter again today. None of my cats were sick till I brought her in. I've been VERY careful about washing my hands each and everytime I go in there. She's not eating or drinking and her urine odor is VERY strong. I'm concerned about it turning into pneumonia. And that's not good for a 14 year old cat.

So Leslie and I are going to the shelter on Saturday to pick out a kitten for her. I think (IMO) that a kitten adapts so much easier than an adult cat who has been around a while. We'll find Min a buddy, I promise!! ;)

Oh - sad to hear that Fawn didn't adjust. :(
Aaawww -glad to hear she is where her heart belongs. :) :D

The description of her behavior on her way back to you says it all.
I hope she recovers quickly.

And yes, Leslie: I am sure a kitten will be Minion's best friend:)

I'm so sad that things didn't work out, but happy that she is happy again now that she is home. I'm surprised she adapted so easily at your house, Donna, but had such a problem with Leslie's house, was it the dogs maybe?

It appears Minion really does what a friend though, so I'm so happy to hear you'll be going to the shelter to find him one. Can't wait for the post and pics of the new addition. :D

And Donna, I'm so glad to hear you'll be adopting Fawn, although it sounds like she really gave you no other option. ;)

Things like this happen for a reason, though I am sad it didn't work out.

But it's good to know that you're still thinking of getting Minion a buddy. Best of luck in your search!

*HUGS*

OHHHH!
Leslie! My heart is soooo sad for you, but you seem to have Fawn/B's best interest at heart, and it seems that she really wanted to be with Donna. You gave it a good shot. And I know that Donna believes that too!! And now she is in a happy home!
And you will hopefully find a wonderful little soul of a kitten to be buddies with Min-Min!
My heart is soooo happy for Fawn and Donna! YEAA!
Keep us posted!

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And I know that Donna believes that too!!

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ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!

I am sorry that Fawn could not adapt, but it is obvious, now, that Fawn knew where she needed to be (with Donna). I am also happy that you are still looking for a friend for Minion.
Now...........a little bundle of orange would make a great "Buddy" ;) (just a suggestion...hee hee)
I have yet another opinion, 6 month old kittens are a real nice age for adoption. Still young and adaptable, but a bit more settled into their personality so you can judge what he'll be like as an adult. And a male would make just as good of a companion for Min as a female. My males LOVE each other and are so much more relaxed.
I guess I could stop rambling now.:o

I'm sorry to say that I'm kind of happy...only because not only did Fawn get the home she was intended for, but because a kitten is going to another wonderful home as well! :) Its a win win situation!!

I am sorry Fawn didn't work out with you Leslie...but I bet Minion will love a kitten to play and snuggle with.

Donna...I knew how much you loved that girl...I could tell she stole your heart! :)

I'm sorry Fawn didn't work out Leslie, but it has to be easier knowing she is going back to a good friend. And now you have learned that Minion would like a friend and can look for the best match for him. I'm sure there is a reason Fawn didn't adjust and it wil show itself it the form of some little fuzz ball looking for love., if not this weekend, soon. And this way 2 cats get saved :)