Stray Cat Captured!

[slick]

Wonderful news Ramanth! You must be so pleased. When you get a chance please give her a head-bumpie from me. Dont' be too scared little one. Everything will turn out all right and you are in good hands now. Your Meowmie loves you very much.

[ramanth]

Little Boy update...

Besides a slightly messed up room, Little Boy survied his three and a half days alone while I was away for Easter.

Mom checked on him on Saturday. Had a note... "No sign of cat. He hides good." LOL!

I laid down on the floor by the bed and reached my hand in at him. He meowed and came forward to head bumpie by hand. He was very loving, rubbing against me and purring. He slowly came out and I didn't hurry him.

He still fights with Zam though.

Baby steps..... I keep telling myself baby steps.....

[moosmom]

Kim,

Glad to hear things are improving. Over time things will calm down. Like you said...baby steps. Good work!

[ramanth]

Where could I get Rescue Remedy and how does it work?

Yesterday evening I took Little Boy his bowl of wet food. I showed him the bowl and he slowly came out from under the bed. I picked him up, carried him and the bowl to the bathroom where he again ate outside of the cat carrier. I spent a half hour petting him and brushing him.

I left the room for awhile and when I came back to get ready for bed, he was lounging on the floor. He tensed up but did not run and I did not approach him.

Around 3 a.m. Zam was pitching a fit so I let her in. She immediately went under the bed where all the growling and fighting began. Zam backed off and I fell asleep.

At 4 a.m. I was awoken out of a dead sleep by them fighting and I mean all out, yanking hair, slashing claws. Little Boy was on the floor at the end of my bed. I chased Zam off and Little Boy, although nervous, let me pick him up.

He began purring instantly and I nestled him on my chest and pulled the covers up over him (leaving his face out). Zam curled up at my feet but slowly started stalking forward.

She suddenly pounced, tearing into him with teeth and claws (and my arm and hand which was unfortunately in the same vicinity ) I smacked Zam on the head and she ran off. The minute I started scratching Little Boys head again he started purring all over again.

I'm beginning to feel they will never get along....

He only comes out from under the bed if I coax him, he continuously fights with Zam and wants nothing to do with Kia. He'll growl at her and press himself against the far wall under my bed.

*sighs*

[moosmom]

Kim,

You can get Rescue Remedy at a GNC store or I think, any health food store. If you don't have GNC where you are, I can pick it up here and mail it to you. It costs around $10. It has herbs that calm. I'd give it to both Zam and L.B. Let me know.

NEVER smack a cat. If you have a water bottle, keep it handy at all times so when the fighting starts, you can spray her.

You can also keep a can with coins in it. Cats HATE loud noises.

Keep up the good work and don't get frustrated. After almost a month, Maya Linn has finally accepted Doogie, although she still growls now and then to let him know who's boss.

[ramanth]

Originally posted by moosmom
Kim,

You can get Rescue Remedy at a GNC store or I think, any health food store. If you don't have GNC where you are, I can pick it up here and mail it to you. It costs around $10. It has herbs that calm. I'd give it to both Zam and L.B. Let me know.

I'll check around and let you know.

NEVER smack a cat. If you have a water bottle, keep it handy at all times so when the fighting starts, you can spray her.

You can also keep a can with coins in it. Cats HATE loud noises.

I hated doing it... I was in such a compromising position, flat on my back with two cats fighting on top of me. Too close to my face.... I paniced.

Keep up the good work and don't get frustrated. After almost a month, Maya Linn has finally accepted Doogie, although she still growls now and then to let him know who's boss.

It's so hard not too... my apartment keeps feeling smaller and smaller....

[Denyce]

I know this is going to be hard to hear because you want to bond with the new kitty so much. However, from what I have read about introducing new cats to a household and especially one where the resident cat is an only cat you should NOT be cuddling more with the new kitty.

Zam is the resident cat correct? If I am wrong here then please disregard. If the bedroom had always been Zam's territory then it should remain that. The new kitten should be in a room that is more neutral than the bedroom. If that is not possible then you should purchase a large cage and place the kitten in the cage until the two get along. Also you should be cuddling and giving the Majority of your time to Zam. Zam is just feeling jealous and like he has been replaced as top kitty in your affections. This is making him act out at the kitten more. Zam is just trying to protect what has been his/her (I am sorry I don't know if Zam is male or female)territory. He wants all his mommy's attention back and not on the little intruder. I just know that this is difficult because you want to socialize the new kitten. But there will be time for this once you get Zam to accept the new cat. You just have to look at it from Zam point of view. He only had to share you with Kia. Now there is another...

There are some very good books out there about introducing new cats or talk to your vet. And try the Rescue Remedy to calm things down if you can. But try to make Zam feel as if ZAM is the important only one and this new kitty is secondary.

Denyce

[ramanth]

Zam is my cat, yes.

My apartment is very small. The living room and kitchen is one room and only one door seperates it from the bedroom/bathroom which is connected. I do not have room for a cage that will comfortably hold Little Boy, a litter box, food and water.

While I'm at work I keep Little Boy in the bedroom/bathroom with the door shut. Keeping Zam and Kia in the living room/kitchen (Kia in her crate).

When I get home I spend time with Zam and Kia and take Kia for a walk. When I feed Zam and Kia, I take Little Boy a bowl of wet food and during and after he eats I spend time with him to get him used to people.

I do not think if I could shut him in a cage that that would help get him used to people. I have on numerous occasions shut him in the cat carrier while Zam is in the room. He always growls and throws a fit.

Everyone I've talked to does not want a cat. My friend said she might be able to take him but I don't think she'll want a cat that is afraid of people.

So the only other option is the shelter and in my opinion if this cat is stuck in a cage and is wary of people the shelter will likely deem it unadoptable.

I could foster this cat but that puts me in the same situation I'm already in. Not enough room and the cats not getting along.

[moosmom]

Kim,

I'm going to send you my 3/4 of a bottle of Rescue Remedy via Express Mail. I'd give it to both cats. I did this when Doogie first got here and it did help alot.

I know what you mean about having very little space. Especially when you have problems with the cats getting along.

Hang in there! Hopefully your friend will be able to give him a home. Stop beating yourself up, girl! You did a wonderful thing taking Little Boy in. If you hadn't, he'd still be running around dodging the elements.

[Denyce]

I am sorry if you thought I was saying you were wrong in taking in the kitten. I think you did a wonderful thing there. I was just trying to give a suggestion to help the 2 accept one another. I really hope that it works out. I can just imagine how frantic you must feel right now.

[ramanth]

Last night wasn't too bad. I held Little Boy this time and let Zam and Kia into the room. He watched Zam but growled at the sight of Kia. I had Kia get on the bed and then I sat on the floor. Kia moved forward slowly to sniff at Little Boy and he hissed, making Kia roll over and show her belly. I don't think Little Boy expected this reaction as he stopped growling and perked his ears up.

Zam came up and I pet her while I continued to hold and reassure Little Boy. Both were purring and Zam went under the bed. I set Little Boy down and all three were within 2 feet of each other, both cats purring.

But then Kia decided to get off the bed and at first Little Boy just growled and stayed put, but when Kia got brave and sniffed him, he paniced and went to hide under the bed.... but of course, Zam was already under there.

So he laid half under the bed and half out. I made Kia lay down a bit away. He growled at Zam a little but stopped and both cats were purring when Zam finally came out from under the bed. I doted on her and herded them all into the living room so Little Boy could have some alone time.

A few tiffs during the night, but nothing horrible. I'm getting a squirt bottle today. I'll start using it to break them up.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Sounds like things are going good. A little slow, but that's ok too. So cute how Kia immediately rolled over and showed her tummy when Little Boy hissed, and it's funny how that reaction caught Little Boy off guard. I'm sure the dogs he came across outside weren't quite as friendly as Kia is. And it sounds like Zam is getting used to him - and vice versa - if they were near each other with both purring.

Just takes a little time - and a lot of patience , which you seem to have, so I think Little Boy will be just fine, and fit in with the others in time.

[moosmom]

Kim,

I sent the Resce Remedy out today Express Mail. Give LB 1/2 a cc and Zam 1 cc. Let me know how you make out.

[ramanth]

A RAY OF HOPE!!!!!

Went to bed last night and LB was moving about the room, going into his cat carrier if anything startled him.

Around 4 a.m. Zam voiced her opinion to be let into the room. I let them in (LB was in the carrier) and even though she sniffed at the carrier and LB growled, she pretty much left him alone. (I think it helped that I flicked water at her and said NO sternly )

And I went back to bed. No fights at all.

When the alarm woke me, both Kia and Zam were curled up around my legs. I petted them both for about 10 minutes before I forced myself to get up. Zam went stiff and I followed her line of sight.

LB was lounging under the window. He was staring at Zam but didn't growl. She lept off the bed at him, arching her back, pretty much looming over him. LB had rolled over, growling, his paws ready to smack her.

I picked her up and told her NO, set her on the bed and loved up to her until she went under the bed.

I went over to LB who greeted me with purrs and headbumpies. Kia came over to sniff at him and he DIDN'T growl! He did stop purring, until I began to pet both of them. Kia on one side, LB on the other..... and when Kia rolled over, LB slowly stretched forward to sniff at her, but not quite touch. If Kia sneezed or shook, LB would arch his back and move away, but never growled.

Kia decided to leave the room and Zam started to move close again. LB was quiet at first until he decided she had moved close enough and he growled at her. I pet Zam first, then LB, then both of them, then just Zam, telling her to just leave LB alone and she turned and followed Kia into the kitchen.

After a time, LB headed under the bed.

Such a wonderful morning... it must be Friday!

[moosmom]

Progress!!! Keep it up!! And have a safe trip.