Possible New Cat!!!

[moosmom]

Cubby's Mom,

You need to do a little homework on reintroducing cats, or you need to read the posts in this thread.

You went about introducing Henry and Cubby all wrong. If you want them to get along, listen to the advice you're given. I'd hate to see another cat wind up at a kill shelter simply because their owners didn't do their research. I'm sorry I'm being a little harsh, but I get SO tired of people not listening.

Put Henry in a room by himself with his food and water and litterbox. Take a towel and rub Henry down. Take another towl and rub Cubby down. Allow the cats to smell each other's towels. After a COUPLE OF WEEKS (not hours), stack baby gates in the doorway of the room where Henry is. This will give them a chance to get acquainted and be protected at the same time. After ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS, allow Henry out of the room to explore, standing by with a squirt bottle filled with water.

Hissing and growling is normal behavior. Unless there is SERIOUS fur flying or bloodshed, let them be, just supervising them. Do not allow Henry to roam free unless you are home. (at least for a while). You'll also need to add a litterbox (one per cat, that's the rule). This way there won't be any potty issues.

Please follow these instructions. Remember, introductions don't happen overnight. It takes alot of patience and love.

[Cubby'sMom]

Cubby's Mom,

You need to do a little homework on reintroducing cats, or you need to read the posts in this thread.

You went about introducing Henry and Cubby all wrong. If you want them to get along, listen to the advice you're given. I'd hate to see another cat wind up at a kill shelter simply because their owners didn't do their research. I'm sorry I'm being a little harsh, but I get SO tired of people not listening.

Put Henry in a room by himself with his food and water and litterbox. Take a towel and rub Henry down. Take another towl and rub Cubby down. Allow the cats to smell each other's towels. After a COUPLE OF WEEKS (not hours), stack baby gates in the doorway of the room where Henry is. This will give them a chance to get acquainted and be protected at the same time. After ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS, allow Henry out of the room to explore, standing by with a squirt bottle filled with water.

Hissing and growling is normal behavior. Unless there is SERIOUS fur flying or bloodshed, let them be, just supervising them. Do not allow Henry to roam free unless you are home. (at least for a while). You'll also need to add a litterbox (one per cat, that's the rule). This way there won't be any potty issues.

Please follow these instructions. Remember, introductions don't happen overnight. It takes alot of patience and love.

Thank you for your advice I DO appreciate it...my family and I made the mistake of introducing them too soon, and we feel bad about that. We have NEVER sent an animal to a kill shelter and we NEVER will. I feel hurt and surprised that you would assume that, any member of Pet of the Day who supports kill shelters does not belong here. I am very grateul for the information you have given me and I will definetly use it, and I have already used some, but please don't assume that I am one of those careless animal ownes who do not take an the lives of animals seriously and sends them to kill shelters, and that I don't listen because I DO listen. I simply can't get on here very often for I have more important priorities than computer.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Introductions take a lot of time. Spook and Remus have been together for almost two years now and they still hiss and spit at each other from time to time. Cats are just that way. Be patient, as cats develop a very protective attitude about themselves especially when they've been forced outside.

Things will get better, and Cubbys willingness to be tolerant even while being held is a good sign. Introductions go easier when at least one party is mellow!

[Cubby'sMom]

Introductions take a lot of time. Spook and Remus have been together for almost two years now and they still hiss and spit at each other from time to time. Cats are just that way. Be patient, as cats develop a very protective attitude about themselves especially when they've been forced outside.

Things will get better, and Cubbys willingness to be tolerant even while being held is a good sign. Introductions go easier when at least one party is mellow!

Thank you, DJFyrewolf36 Thank you everyone for your advice. Yeah, Henry has been a stray for while, so he's used to having his own territory. So far we've kept them seperate again and they're both happy, and Henry has shown more interest in walking around the house instead of just staying in one spot forever lol. Cubby is fine and is loving the usual attention he gets lol. Henry is an attention lover as well, even more so than Cubby, and boy did I never think the day would come when Cubby could be beat in his love for attention

[moosmom]

Cubby's Mom,

I apologize for making you feel that way. What I meant was, I see SO many cats dumped off at shelters because people don't understand that introductions needs to be done gradually. I didn't mean to insinuate that you'd do that. I never thought for a minute you would. There are some cats who won't tolerate being in a room by themselves. They want to be out where the action is. Sounds like Henry is one of those. Just have a squirt bottle handy just in case.

Good luck! Please keep us posted.

[Cubby'sMom]

Cubby's Mom,

I apologize for making you feel that way. What I meant was, I see SO many cats dumped off at shelters because people don't understand that introductions needs to be done gradually. I didn't mean to insinuate that you'd do that. I never thought for a minute you would. There are some cats who won't tolerate being in a room by themselves. They want to be out where the action is. Sounds like Henry is one of those. Just have a squirt bottle handy just in case.

Good luck! Please keep us posted.

Thanks for clearing up what you meant to say I apologize as well, I tend to be sensitive with these matters, something I am working on It is also hard to say what you mean to say online.Yes, that does sound like Henry, but he's improving. Yes, one of our now RB cats Coco was dumped in a dumpster with her brothers and sisters, which disgusted me, it's even worse than a shelter, a dumpster! I'll keep everyone posted

Just wondering, does anyone know what might be upsetting Henry? He sometimes starts meowing for no apparent reason. He has food, water, a litter box and we love on him. I think it might be his want to go outside. He goes to a window usually and looks out and just meows. He's also not going to the bathroom in the litter box when he should. He waits till the last possible minute it seems. He has a seperate litter box than Cubby as well. He doesn't seem to be scared to go because of us like our other cat(she was kinda crazy lol).

[Catty1]

He might not know a litter box, being an outside kitty.

I do with some adult cats what I do with kittens - put them in the box and take his front paws and make them "scratch" the litter a bit, as if they are covering up their stuff. Usually the light goes on.

He may want out - may have to go potty - or may just be meowing at something outside. I forgot - is he neutered?

hugs
Catty1

[Cubby'sMom]

He might not know a litter box, being an outside kitty.

I do with some adult cats what I do with kittens - put them in the box and take his front paws and make them "scratch" the litter a bit, as if they are covering up their stuff. Usually the light goes on.

He may want out - may have to go potty - or may just be meowing at something outside. I forgot - is he neutered?

hugs
Catty1

Well, I think he does because at one point in his life he was a pet. We're not sure who's he was though. He uses the litter box sometimes, and a few time he just.... doesn'ted I'll try the scratching technique, thanks! Yes, he's neutered, I believe our ballet teacher did that, or someone else.