Phoenix&Nakita - *Update Sept.20th*Feedback please..

[rosethecopycat]

[QUOTE=Russian Blue]3 Years?!?! Ill really be gray then, better get the hair colouring kit.



That's exactly the problem that is happening. I go to play or talk to Nakita and Phoenix comes running with me which makes things tense. I'll have to see if I can construct something like that. Thanks for the idea!

Yesterday was the first time I saw Phoenix trying 'push' Nakita's limits or simply she was playing. Nakita was trying to eat (her food is temporarily beside the couch) and Phoenix would jump on the couch and tower over her. This is the first video, which was the calm before the storm. After this video Phoenix acted like she was going to jump on Nakita, Nakita growled loudly then moved away.


Yes, kittens are rude. I have 3 that I'm trying to keep away from Bella and Malfi, at least at mealtimes. They are like little steamrollers. At least, they are not offended either, when they get pushed away. They forgive you, the adults can hold a grudge, like Bella.

[Russian Blue]

Did I really see that with my own eyes?!? Yep, caught it with the camera earlier today!



Only 11 days into the process and I think the obstacles are slowly starting to come down. Don't mind the green floors - previous owners painted them with outdoor paint ( ) and they will be the last things to be replaced on our long renovation list.

I wanted to thank everyone in this thread for the 'hand holding' - Catmandu, Sasvermont, RedHedd, KAK, Jen, Smokey The Elder, Kimlovescats, Barbara, Rosethecopycat!!!!! What would I have done without you guys? Your posts kept me sane through this cat introduction process. It's not over yet, but it's a start! Woohoo...

And right now, Nakita is sleeping on the computer monitor and Phoenix is sleeping in the cat condo right behind me!! Maybe now I can finally get some sleep.....

[Vermontcat]

Finally pictures of Nakita and Phoenix together!
They are two of the cutest little meatloaf kitties I have ever seen.
Don't worry, you are doing fine, pretty soon you will have photos of them touching each other and maybe even cuddling!
Give them both hugs and kisses from me.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I've been following the whole process but haven't had much posting time. SO good to see the two adorable meatloaves within shouting distance of each other. I think you did everything right - going slow, the mesh screen between them, etc. They WILL become friends and the next pics we'll see are either snuggle pics or Nakita giving the brat a bath.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Edwina and Eddie have never cuddled (that they will let us see anyway.... ) but they always seem to be napping in the same room.

I consider that good enough! Darn good really...and so fast with your girls!

[kimlovescats]

YIPPEE! Things are going great! Congratulations!

[jenluckenbach]

Don't worry about the green floors, they show off Nakita's coloring splendidly!

I remember how hard the first introductions were. they get MUCH easier!

Have a good rest. Kitten play time is just around the corner. (LOL)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm glad to hear the great update and I'm sure that Nakita's curiosity will get the best of her and she'll love having a little sister.

[Russian Blue]

On Saturday we decided to switch the cats. I moved Nakita's food/litter upstairs and Phoenix's food/litter downstairs. Phoenix stays glued to my side so I thought placing Nakita upstairs would give her some downtime if she needed it. Plus, we sleep upstairs so Nakita stays with us for the night while Phoenix is kept in her own room.

Since that time, Nakita has barely come downstairs. She tries to come down 2/3 times a day but as soon as she sees Phoenix she will run back upstairs. This current arrangement does not provide much opportunity for Nakita to interact with Phoenix - and that's what I am concerned about.

Phoenix is quite respectful of Nakita's space. If she sees Nakita, she will first run up to her - she wants to be near Nakita. But Nakita will hiss/growl and Phoenix will walk away. Phoenix has run after Nakita once or twice, but not at all in a threatening manner. She just wants to follow her but Nakita doesn't like it at all and see's it as a threatening action.

One thing that continues to happen is that Nakita will want to come downstairs to go on the window. Nakita jumps up and then Phoenix wants to be with her also. So Phoenix will jump up, Nakita will hiss/growl and Phoenix will sit or lie down next to her. You can see Nakita doesn't want to be that close but Phoenix just wants a feline friend and sort of 'forces' herself on Nakita. Right after this picture was taken, Phoenix layed down and both cats closed their eyes.



Instead, while I'm at home should I close off the upstairs and bring Nakita downstairs so she interacts with Phoenix? Then at night return to our nightly routine? I feel if I don't do this we will have one cat on the upper floor and one cat on the lower floor with no interaction. This will make for a *very* long introduction period.

What would you do? Leave the current arrangement or start bringing Nakita down for day sessions with Phoenix? I'll be returning to work soon so I want to feel comfortable leaving them together but I don't want Nakita to be hiding the whole day upstairs either.

[catmandu]

Soon they will at last be comfortable with each other, if not buddy buddy.
I know that it took HH Lady Edwina Rose and Eddie some time before that happened.
Actually it has taken the Princess 10 yeras before she was comfortable on the bed, and she still hisses at JJJ3, and The Kitten Trio.
I hope that you have Cuddling Dynamic Duo Photos soon.

[sasvermont]

I would try rewarding Nakita when she is being good to Phoenix and not acting so huffy around her. Then say..."be a good girl".....when she is not being so good. With a tone of disappointment, if you will.

Sometimes when Miley starts her hissing at Juni and growling etc. I just say, "oh Miley, stop" "be a good girl".....she will calm down. Its as though she needs protection from Juni and my words comfort her. I suspect what is really happening is that Miley wants me all to herself - not wanting to share me with Juni or the others. So by being obnoxious to the others, she gets my attention.

I think the introduction sounds normal so far, to me. The fact that there has not been fur flying - is a great sign. There may be a time, when they turn on each other...... sometimes feeding them together will bring them closer too...sometimes, not.

Have you tried playing with them both at the same time? With a great toy? Maybe they will get the hang of bumping into each other without incident!

[Barbara]

If they sleep in the close presence of each other that would be a good sign to my opinion.
I think I would now no longer make a lot of circumstances.
Give Nakita all the attention she needs. Phoenix is less complicated she will see that she gets what she needs.

Tigris sometimes bullies my little dainty Filou (you know , Momma's boy ) and I always go to Filou and comfort him telling him he's the sweetest etc. etc. because I know he needs it. Tigris is just a big friendly hunk of a cat and even after you told him to leave Filou he jumps up and cuddles with you- so I care for the more sensitive and love the other one nevertheless