Possible New Family Member

[wolflady]

Hi all!
Aaron may just give in and let me keep the little orange kitty, whom we are now calling Sergei, that showed up in our backyard a couple of months back. We ended up taking him to the vet for all his shots and for a neuter yesterday, so now he is currently locked in our bathroom.
My question is, Marius is my absolute baby and lapcat. If we introduce another cat into our small family, will Marius's personality change? I really don't want it to, but I know that in some households, some of the personalities change with the addition of new cats. This is my only concern. This may sound dumb, but I admit, Marius is a momma's boy, and I'm partial to him because he's MY cat. I had him before I married and he's my sweet spoiled baby. I just love his personality, and don't want it to change for the world.
It does seem that Marius and Sergei will get along. It turns out that Sergei is younger than Marius (vet estimated 2-3 years) and Marius has seemed pretty good with Sergei being outside. They would touch noses through the screen door and all.

Any opinions and advice would be appreciated, especially if it means a new kitty gets a home!
**hugs**
Karen

[Prairie Purrs]

My special cuddlecat is Kacey, and his personality hasn't changed at all with the addition of several new cats. He's still my lapboy--he just has to share the lap. If Marius and Sergei have already been trying to make friends through the screen door, then they may adjust pretty easily to sharing the house. Just make sure to give Marius plenty of cuddles during the adjustment process, and all should be well.

[NoahsMommy]

Yay, Sergei is inside!

Marius may change a bit, but he'll come back around. Noah does change when we bring a new cat in. But...he comes back around again. The key is to give him lots of extra love.

I can't wait to meet him!

[wolflady]

Thank you CatsinDenver and NoahsMommy for responding. I don't know why I'm so concerned over this. It will be easy for me to give my Marius lots of extra love and cuddles! Thanks for the advice I sure hope everything works out.

I talked to my hubby this afternoon and asked him how Sergei looked before he left the house this morning. He said he peeked into the bathroom and he was milling around and meowing. He said he smelled pee, but didn't see anything on the floor. Sergei did smell funny when we picked him up from the vet this morning, but I just assumed it was surgery smell. I sure hope this cat knows how to use the litter box! I know Aaron definitely will not allow another cat with bathroom problems in the house. One is enough. So, cross your fingers and pray for us that everything will work out!
I've been wondering about Sergei all day today!
**hugs**

[jenluckenbach]

The only change in behavior that I have personally noticed with the addition of a new house cat is a change in play habits. This happened twice and both times it was the same "game" (fetch). After the addition of Sterling, Jasper stopped playing the fetch game with us. (It also happened earlier with our cat Brighteyes). But I never recall any change that I could not live with.
Now this is not to say that Marius won't change, but you have a bond with him and he has one with you and that will never change, and you could not predict it even if you wanted to. I am glad Sergei will be part of your family.

[wolflady]

Thanks Jen!

Sergei is doing well in the bathroom. Both Marius and Scooter know he's in there, because they've both been sulking the past couple of days. I thought I would try the plug-in with feliway, to see if it would help calm nerves, but haven't really noticed anything.
I ended up giving Sergei a "sponge" bath when I got home on Friday. It did smell of urine, but I think it was because he could have wet in the carrier or at the vet's. I have these things called "cat wipes" that I bought from PetCo. and I wiped him all over. He loved it! After that, he looked and smelled a lot better. He knows how to use the litterbox too! Yay! He likes it when I hold him, and he even will nestle his little face in my nect and put his paws around my neck. It's so sweet! If I can get him used to having his paws handled and get some soft paws applied, I may try to introduce him to Marius and Scooter soon. So far I haven't had any interaction between any of them. He's just in the bathroom recovering and getting used to being inside and being around people!

Marius has been a little distant , so hopefully he'll come back around once Sergei gets settled in more. He's my baby.

**hugs**
Karen

[PayItForward]

Congratulations on adopting your foundling.

Your cats sound interested in each other and hopefully will become good friends.


But where are the photos ?????

[wolflady]

Originally posted by PayItForward
...

But where are the photos ?????

LOL LOL Yes, I need to get some pics of Sergei. He's a cute little guy!

[HayleyRosie]

Congratulations on your keeping Sergei. I am looking forward to plenty of pictures.

[Pam]

Originally posted by wolflady
Marius has been a little distant , so hopefully he'll come back around once Sergei gets settled in more. He's my baby.

Karen I know exactly how you feel. Trevor was my first cat ever and I worried quite a bit about how he'd do when I brought Andy home. I didn't want him to be upset with me or react any differently to me. My husband even worried that Trevor and Andy would become such good friends that they would ignore us humans. We were really 'cat ignorant.' All has worked out beautifully and I just have a feeling that's how it will be with Sergei. (Love the name!!) I know your Marius is your 'heart cat' and the bond between you is very strong. Here's hoping that he will welcome little Sergei into his home and they will be good buddies. (((hugs))) Of course we need pictures!

[Miss Meow]

Karen, when we brought Pickles and Tabasco home, they were ignored by Mini and hated instantly by Jasmine. We spent the first few weeks wondering if we'd done the right thing. Mini was a great peacekeeper and made friends with the little guys but kept his friendship with Jasmine. He was a little insecure because he's a huge mummy's boy like Marius but I gave him lots of individual attention and he's been fantastic. He plays with all the cats, but enjoys his little midnight adventures in the kitchen with Pickles and Tabasco while Jasmine enjoys her sleep time.

Jasmine took a month or so to adapt to Pickles but her tolerance of Tabasco has only come about recently. She'll sleep in the same bed as him and sometimes they share the foodbowl, but she hasn't quite learnt to deal with his youthful boyishness (read immaturity!) But slowly, slowly with time and I'm sure they'll be fine. She is a lot happier than she was a few months ago. We give her lots of cuddle time and she loves curling up in our arms when we're using the computer so that's her special treat. She gets overrun when we're playing fetch because Tabasco steals all the toys, so we play pounce with her while keeping the others occupied so she doesn't feel left out.

Each introduction is different so good luck with yours

[Vio&Juni]

Karen, I am so glad for you that you're keeping the little guy Sergei (btw, how did you choose this Russian name?)
Marius will get used to his little brother and I am sure he'll get back to his own self again

[wolflady]

Thanks for all the good vibes and advice, everyone!! Sergei is still inside!
Vio&Juni, my dad actually picked that name out after one of his favorite Red Wings players, Sergei Federof! LOL I thought it was cute, so I kept it

So far Marius and Scooter are doing quite well. Marius was distant for a few days, but he's back to his normal adorable and cuddly self! Yay! I'm so glad.

Now, the issues I'm having with Sergei:
I really don't think he's ever been an inside cat, and all he wants to do is get back outside. He even busted through our master bedroom window yesterday, which didn't sit well with Aaron I might add. He seemed to be coming around quite well, but his incessant want to go back outside is a bit confusing. How do I make an outdoor cat like to be indoors? Other than that, he's been out of his bathroom and out and about the house with Marius and Scooter. He likes to be held and purrs non-stop! I took some pics of him with my film camera, so I'm going to have to wait till they get developed, but I did get some pics of him with our PC camera! I thought I would share! Doesn't he look like Noah??

**hugs**
Karen

[wolflady]

Here is another pic of me holding little Sergei. He's such a little fuzz-bucket!

[kimlovescats]

Oh he's a doll.... congratulations and good luck getting him used to the indoors!!!!