Blind cat adoption tips?
dear all
i am seriously considering adopting an old cat who is blind, or rather has had to have her eyes removed because of eye infections which woudl not clear up. What i am wondering is how she will cope in a new house and what i can do to make life easier for her to get about. I already have one old-timer puss who is about 15 or 16yrs old, fairly laid back, came from a house with other cats previously before I took her in so is used to sharing her space although she has been an only cat for the last 18 months with me, and I am wondering how best to approach integrating them? any tips on this? I am worried that my old cat jessie will not take to the new cat (mabel) and maybe bully her and mabel will not be able to stand up for herself as she is blind and fairly arthritic (mabel is also 16 yrs old but not nearly as spritely as jessie puss), or do you think that jessie will be ok and not feel that mabel is a threat because she is blind and so decrepit and will therefore leave her alone? I don't want to make life miserable for either of them by taking this new one on. i wonder whether it would be better to leave mabel in the shelter until such time that someone who doesnt' already have cats comes along to take her home, but she has been there a long time already and is not likely to be homed by anyone else in a hurry, what do people think? sensible answers only please, no stupid crap from sad ****s who don't actually have cats but only post to this site to wind people up because they have nothing else in their tragic little lives, you know who you are. cheers Bookie |
Blind cat adoption tips?
"bookie" wrote in message oups.com... dear all i am seriously considering adopting an old cat who is blind, or rather has had to have her eyes removed because of eye infections which woudl not clear up. What i am wondering is how she will cope in a new house and what i can do to make life easier for her to get about. I already have one old-timer puss who is about 15 or 16yrs old, fairly laid back, came from a house with other cats previously before I took her in so is used to sharing her space although she has been an only cat for the last 18 months with me, and I am wondering how best to approach integrating them? any tips on this? I am worried that my old cat jessie will not take to the new cat (mabel) and maybe bully her and mabel will not be able to stand up for herself as she is blind and fairly arthritic (mabel is also 16 yrs old but not nearly as spritely as jessie puss), or do you think that jessie will be ok and not feel that mabel is a threat because she is blind and so decrepit and will therefore leave her alone? I don't want to make life miserable for either of them by taking this new one on. i wonder whether it would be better to leave mabel in the shelter until such time that someone who doesnt' already have cats comes along to take her home, but she has been there a long time already and is not likely to be homed by anyone else in a hurry, what do people think? sensible answers only please, no stupid crap from sad ****s who don't actually have cats but only post to this site to wind people up because they have nothing else in their tragic little lives, you know who you are. cheers Bookie Bookie, I have a wonderful blind cat, Duffy. He is truly remarkable and has brought an incredible amount of joy to our household. Duffy was approximately 5 years when I adopted him, and he has blind since birth. Like yours, he spent several months in the shelter before I adopted him. I had some of the same concerns you outlined, especially because I already had a cat (Holly) who had previously been very aggressive toward any other cat in my vicinity. She was so aggressive that we called her "the black tornado." I took a very slow, cautious, measured approach to the introduction. In fact, I precisely followed the advice of a friend who has had a great deal of experience in introducing cats with different (and potentially conflicting) personalities. It was a full 6 weeks before I left the two of them alone together at all times. They now are a happy twosome. Depending on the personalities of your cats, you may not need to take that much time, but it is always better to go very slowly than to try to rush these introductions -- especially given the circumstances you outlined. I have previously written a fairly lengthy document on the introduction I used. I have posted it in "bits and pieces" on this site over a period of time, but I will be happy to email it to you if you want to read it. I am posting links under my sig to a "pictorial history" of the introduction. In particular, you might want to look at the temporary door we used on "Duffy's room." That way, they could be close to each other without taking any chances of an attack. In addition, look at the platter that I placed under the door at meal time. Each cat was able to eat in very close proximity to the other without actually being in the same room. Again, that was some time into the introduction period. Incidentally, I spent a great deal of time with Duffy during that period; I did not simply leave him alone in his separate room. Also, I lavished loving and attention on Holly every time I left Duffy's room because I did not want her to feel displaced and to possibly become resentful of Duffy. One thing I would like to emphasize is that Duffy adjusted *beautifully.* He can do almost anything a sighted can do except run rapidly through the house. Instead, he has his "vertical space." I have two sturdy cat trees and some other climbing surfaces -- he loves to climb and is like a little gymnast. I used carpeted surfaces in most instances, with only one sisal pole on each cat tree, because he needs to be able to climb. Holly can simply leap from one bed to another on the cat tree, but Duffy needs to be able to use the poles for navigation. Please fee free to contact me. And *thank you VERY much* for adopting this kitty. (My email address attached to this message is valid except that you first need to "take-out-the-litter.") MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") |
Blind cat adoption tips?
bookie wrote: dear all i am seriously considering adopting an old cat who is blind, or rather has had to have her eyes removed because of eye infections First of all a round of applause for being prepared to consider her! Other than that I have no experience but there's someone on this list...Forget her name but remeber she has 2 cats (like a lot of people I remember her cats but not her name!) who has adopted Duffy who is blind and also has Holly who is not so my contribution is keeping this at the top of the list so I hope she will see it and reply.. Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs |
Blind cat adoption tips?
MaryL wrote: There she is! Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs |
Blind cat adoption tips?
"Lesley" wrote in message ups.com... MaryL wrote: There she is! Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs Ha! I saw your earlier message. We probably sent our messages at just about the same time. Like you, I remember the names of cats much better than their hoomins. :o) MaryL |
Blind cat adoption tips?
MaryL wrote: "bookie" wrote in message oups.com... dear all i am seriously considering adopting an old cat who is blind, or rather has had to have her eyes removed because of eye infections which woudl not clear up. What i am wondering is how she will cope in a new house and what i can do to make life easier for her to get about. I already have one old-timer puss who is about 15 or 16yrs old, fairly laid back, came from a house with other cats previously before I took her in so is used to sharing her space although she has been an only cat for the last 18 months with me, and I am wondering how best to approach integrating them? any tips on this? I am worried that my old cat jessie will not take to the new cat (mabel) and maybe bully her and mabel will not be able to stand up for herself as she is blind and fairly arthritic (mabel is also 16 yrs old but not nearly as spritely as jessie puss), or do you think that jessie will be ok and not feel that mabel is a threat because she is blind and so decrepit and will therefore leave her alone? I don't want to make life miserable for either of them by taking this new one on. i wonder whether it would be better to leave mabel in the shelter until such time that someone who doesnt' already have cats comes along to take her home, but she has been there a long time already and is not likely to be homed by anyone else in a hurry, what do people think? sensible answers only please, no stupid crap from sad ****s who don't actually have cats but only post to this site to wind people up because they have nothing else in their tragic little lives, you know who you are. cheers Bookie Bookie, I have a wonderful blind cat, Duffy. He is truly remarkable and has brought an incredible amount of joy to our household. Duffy was approximately 5 years when I adopted him, and he has blind since birth. Like yours, he spent several months in the shelter before I adopted him. I had some of the same concerns you outlined, especially because I already had a cat (Holly) who had previously been very aggressive toward any other cat in my vicinity. She was so aggressive that we called her "the black tornado." I took a very slow, cautious, measured approach to the introduction. In fact, I precisely followed the advice of a friend who has had a great deal of experience in introducing cats with different (and potentially conflicting) personalities. It was a full 6 weeks before I left the two of them alone together at all times. They now are a happy twosome. Depending on the personalities of your cats, you may not need to take that much time, but it is always better to go very slowly than to try to rush these introductions -- especially given the circumstances you outlined. I have previously written a fairly lengthy document on the introduction I used. I have posted it in "bits and pieces" on this site over a period of time, but I will be happy to email it to you if you want to read it. I am posting links under my sig to a "pictorial history" of the introduction. In particular, you might want to look at the temporary door we used on "Duffy's room." That way, they could be close to each other without taking any chances of an attack. In addition, look at the platter that I placed under the door at meal time. Each cat was able to eat in very close proximity to the other without actually being in the same room. Again, that was some time into the introduction period. Incidentally, I spent a great deal of time with Duffy during that period; I did not simply leave him alone in his separate room. Also, I lavished loving and attention on Holly every time I left Duffy's room because I did not want her to feel displaced and to possibly become resentful of Duffy. One thing I would like to emphasize is that Duffy adjusted *beautifully.* He can do almost anything a sighted can do except run rapidly through the house. Instead, he has his "vertical space." I have two sturdy cat trees and some other climbing surfaces -- he loves to climb and is like a little gymnast. I used carpeted surfaces in most instances, with only one sisal pole on each cat tree, because he needs to be able to climb. Holly can simply leap from one bed to another on the cat tree, but Duffy needs to be able to use the poles for navigation. Please fee free to contact me. And *thank you VERY much* for adopting this kitty. (My email address attached to this message is valid except that you first need to "take-out-the-litter.") MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") thanks for your help, any tips are very welcome, both cats are very old so they may just ignore each other with any luck. anyway jessie is spending a lot of time snuggling inthe bottom of the wardrobe at present so she may not even notice a new arrival. if you can email me with any stuff on introductions that would be great, i just can't leave this poor little furball inthe shelter, she is so sweet and needs a home but all the people who go there go straight for the fluffy kittens and younger pussies and I do not want her to end her days there. bizarrely enough she is also a calico just like jessie do their other senses become heightened or is that just a myth? B |
Blind cat adoption tips?
"bookie" wrote in message ps.com... MaryL wrote: "bookie" wrote in message oups.com... dear all i am seriously considering adopting an old cat who is blind, or rather has had to have her eyes removed because of eye infections which woudl not clear up. What i am wondering is how she will cope in a new house and what i can do to make life easier for her to get about. I already have one old-timer puss who is about 15 or 16yrs old, fairly laid back, came from a house with other cats previously before I took her in so is used to sharing her space although she has been an only cat for the last 18 months with me, and I am wondering how best to approach integrating them? any tips on this? I am worried that my old cat jessie will not take to the new cat (mabel) and maybe bully her and mabel will not be able to stand up for herself as she is blind and fairly arthritic (mabel is also 16 yrs old but not nearly as spritely as jessie puss), or do you think that jessie will be ok and not feel that mabel is a threat because she is blind and so decrepit and will therefore leave her alone? I don't want to make life miserable for either of them by taking this new one on. i wonder whether it would be better to leave mabel in the shelter until such time that someone who doesnt' already have cats comes along to take her home, but she has been there a long time already and is not likely to be homed by anyone else in a hurry, what do people think? sensible answers only please, no stupid crap from sad ****s who don't actually have cats but only post to this site to wind people up because they have nothing else in their tragic little lives, you know who you are. cheers Bookie Bookie, I have a wonderful blind cat, Duffy. He is truly remarkable and has brought an incredible amount of joy to our household. Duffy was approximately 5 years when I adopted him, and he has blind since birth. Like yours, he spent several months in the shelter before I adopted him. I had some of the same concerns you outlined, especially because I already had a cat (Holly) who had previously been very aggressive toward any other cat in my vicinity. She was so aggressive that we called her "the black tornado." I took a very slow, cautious, measured approach to the introduction. In fact, I precisely followed the advice of a friend who has had a great deal of experience in introducing cats with different (and potentially conflicting) personalities. It was a full 6 weeks before I left the two of them alone together at all times. They now are a happy twosome. Depending on the personalities of your cats, you may not need to take that much time, but it is always better to go very slowly than to try to rush these introductions -- especially given the circumstances you outlined. I have previously written a fairly lengthy document on the introduction I used. I have posted it in "bits and pieces" on this site over a period of time, but I will be happy to email it to you if you want to read it. I am posting links under my sig to a "pictorial history" of the introduction. In particular, you might want to look at the temporary door we used on "Duffy's room." That way, they could be close to each other without taking any chances of an attack. In addition, look at the platter that I placed under the door at meal time. Each cat was able to eat in very close proximity to the other without actually being in the same room. Again, that was some time into the introduction period. Incidentally, I spent a great deal of time with Duffy during that period; I did not simply leave him alone in his separate room. Also, I lavished loving and attention on Holly every time I left Duffy's room because I did not want her to feel displaced and to possibly become resentful of Duffy. One thing I would like to emphasize is that Duffy adjusted *beautifully.* He can do almost anything a sighted can do except run rapidly through the house. Instead, he has his "vertical space." I have two sturdy cat trees and some other climbing surfaces -- he loves to climb and is like a little gymnast. I used carpeted surfaces in most instances, with only one sisal pole on each cat tree, because he needs to be able to climb. Holly can simply leap from one bed to another on the cat tree, but Duffy needs to be able to use the poles for navigation. Please fee free to contact me. And *thank you VERY much* for adopting this kitty. (My email address attached to this message is valid except that you first need to "take-out-the-litter.") MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") thanks for your help, any tips are very welcome, both cats are very old so they may just ignore each other with any luck. anyway jessie is spending a lot of time snuggling inthe bottom of the wardrobe at present so she may not even notice a new arrival. if you can email me with any stuff on introductions that would be great, i just can't leave this poor little furball inthe shelter, she is so sweet and needs a home but all the people who go there go straight for the fluffy kittens and younger pussies and I do not want her to end her days there. bizarrely enough she is also a calico just like jessie do their other senses become heightened or is that just a myth? B Do you know if this kitty has been blind since birth (or at least for a number of years), or is it age-related? I think that makes a difference. Certainly, Duffy is a truly remarkable example of what a blind cat can do. I thought when I adopted him that I would have to be very careful never to move furniture. In actual fact, that has not been necessary. If I move a chair, I will find him sitting on it 5 minutes later! Nevertheless, it is important to *start* by leaving everything in the same position so your new kitty can learn his way around. Also, any time you put him down after holding him, put him on the floor where he can touch a familiar piece of furniture. That will help him become acclimated -- in other words, don't just put him down in the middle of the room as you might with a sighted cat. Again, that soon wasn't necessary with Duffy, but you will be able to make that decision as you watch and see how much "awareness" your cat has. Here are still *more* pictures of Duffy and Holly. Here you can see how Duffy has taken over and truly made this his domain. I will also email the document to you. MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e Recent pics: http://tinyurl.com/clal7 |
Blind cat adoption tips?
MaryL wrote: "bookie" wrote in message ps.com... MaryL wrote: "bookie" wrote in message oups.com... dear all i am seriously considering adopting an old cat who is blind, or rather has had to have her eyes removed because of eye infections which woudl not clear up. What i am wondering is how she will cope in a new house and what i can do to make life easier for her to get about. I already have one old-timer puss who is about 15 or 16yrs old, fairly laid back, came from a house with other cats previously before I took her in so is used to sharing her space although she has been an only cat for the last 18 months with me, and I am wondering how best to approach integrating them? any tips on this? I am worried that my old cat jessie will not take to the new cat (mabel) and maybe bully her and mabel will not be able to stand up for herself as she is blind and fairly arthritic (mabel is also 16 yrs old but not nearly as spritely as jessie puss), or do you think that jessie will be ok and not feel that mabel is a threat because she is blind and so decrepit and will therefore leave her alone? I don't want to make life miserable for either of them by taking this new one on. i wonder whether it would be better to leave mabel in the shelter until such time that someone who doesnt' already have cats comes along to take her home, but she has been there a long time already and is not likely to be homed by anyone else in a hurry, what do people think? sensible answers only please, no stupid crap from sad ****s who don't actually have cats but only post to this site to wind people up because they have nothing else in their tragic little lives, you know who you are. cheers Bookie Bookie, I have a wonderful blind cat, Duffy. He is truly remarkable and has brought an incredible amount of joy to our household. Duffy was approximately 5 years when I adopted him, and he has blind since birth. Like yours, he spent several months in the shelter before I adopted him. I had some of the same concerns you outlined, especially because I already had a cat (Holly) who had previously been very aggressive toward any other cat in my vicinity. She was so aggressive that we called her "the black tornado." I took a very slow, cautious, measured approach to the introduction. In fact, I precisely followed the advice of a friend who has had a great deal of experience in introducing cats with different (and potentially conflicting) personalities. It was a full 6 weeks before I left the two of them alone together at all times. They now are a happy twosome. Depending on the personalities of your cats, you may not need to take that much time, but it is always better to go very slowly than to try to rush these introductions -- especially given the circumstances you outlined. I have previously written a fairly lengthy document on the introduction I used. I have posted it in "bits and pieces" on this site over a period of time, but I will be happy to email it to you if you want to read it. I am posting links under my sig to a "pictorial history" of the introduction. In particular, you might want to look at the temporary door we used on "Duffy's room." That way, they could be close to each other without taking any chances of an attack. In addition, look at the platter that I placed under the door at meal time. Each cat was able to eat in very close proximity to the other without actually being in the same room. Again, that was some time into the introduction period. Incidentally, I spent a great deal of time with Duffy during that period; I did not simply leave him alone in his separate room. Also, I lavished loving and attention on Holly every time I left Duffy's room because I did not want her to feel displaced and to possibly become resentful of Duffy. One thing I would like to emphasize is that Duffy adjusted *beautifully.* He can do almost anything a sighted can do except run rapidly through the house. Instead, he has his "vertical space." I have two sturdy cat trees and some other climbing surfaces -- he loves to climb and is like a little gymnast. I used carpeted surfaces in most instances, with only one sisal pole on each cat tree, because he needs to be able to climb. Holly can simply leap from one bed to another on the cat tree, but Duffy needs to be able to use the poles for navigation. Please fee free to contact me. And *thank you VERY much* for adopting this kitty. (My email address attached to this message is valid except that you first need to "take-out-the-litter.") MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") thanks for your help, any tips are very welcome, both cats are very old so they may just ignore each other with any luck. anyway jessie is spending a lot of time snuggling inthe bottom of the wardrobe at present so she may not even notice a new arrival. if you can email me with any stuff on introductions that would be great, i just can't leave this poor little furball inthe shelter, she is so sweet and needs a home but all the people who go there go straight for the fluffy kittens and younger pussies and I do not want her to end her days there. bizarrely enough she is also a calico just like jessie do their other senses become heightened or is that just a myth? B Do you know if this kitty has been blind since birth (or at least for a number of years), or is it age-related? I think that makes a difference. Certainly, Duffy is a truly remarkable example of what a blind cat can do. I thought when I adopted him that I would have to be very careful never to move furniture. In actual fact, that has not been necessary. If I move a chair, I will find him sitting on it 5 minutes later! Nevertheless, it is important to *start* by leaving everything in the same position so your new kitty can learn his way around. Also, any time you put him down after holding him, put him on the floor where he can touch a familiar piece of furniture. That will help him become acclimated -- in other words, don't just put him down in the middle of the room as you might with a sighted cat. Again, that soon wasn't necessary with Duffy, but you will be able to make that decision as you watch and see how much "awareness" your cat has. Here are still *more* pictures of Duffy and Holly. Here you can see how Duffy has taken over and truly made this his domain. I will also email the document to you. MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e Recent pics: http://tinyurl.com/clal7 no she was not blind since birth she had one eye removed due to an infection, then when she went into the shelter she had to have the other removed as it too was infected and could not be saved by the vet. She just has 2 hollows where her lovely eyes should be, such a shame. she has foudn her way around the centre, she lives in the reception area not in a pen so she potters about most of the time. haven't moved any furniture around in this house in the last 5 years of living here so not about to start moving anything now, I'm too lazy. |
Blind cat adoption tips?
On Wed 13 Dec 2006 07:11:08p, MaryL wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav : Here are still *more* pictures of Duffy and Holly. Here you can see how Duffy has taken over and truly made this his domain. This one still completely amazes me. How he got up there without knocking everything over is truely a tribute to his abilities. http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...id=10346294 8 -- Cheryl |
Blind cat adoption tips?
"Cheryl" wrote in message ... On Wed 13 Dec 2006 07:11:08p, MaryL wrote in rec.pets.cats.health+behav : Here are still *more* pictures of Duffy and Holly. Here you can see how Duffy has taken over and truly made this his domain. This one still completely amazes me. How he got up there without knocking everything over is truely a tribute to his abilities. http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...id=10346294 8 -- Cheryl Yes, I feel the same way. He got up *and* down without doing any damage at all. Fortunately, I had finished that painting several days earlier, so it was dry enough not to leave oil all over Duffy. MaryL |
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