"ElvisRocks" wrote in message
...
Hi all. I am finally getting a new cat on Sunday from a shelter. I took
my
Randi to the vet for shots yesterday. They said he is
too fat - 15.75 lbs! And that he has a very slight heart murmur, which is
more reason to make him lose some weight.
It was hard when Elvis was here to distinguish who was eating what, but
now
it appears Randi is eating 2 or 2-1/2 3 oz. cans a day and very little
dry
food. The vet said to cut him down to one small can a day and two cups of
dry. But he doesn't eat that much dry food.
How much do your cats eat? He is a big cat, not just fat.


Hiya Carol. How're ya doin'?

A neutered, inactive 15.75 lb cat needs about 286-300 kcal/day (figure 40-45
kcal/kg/day). Most 3 oz cans of cat food contain about 85-100 kcals. So, 3
cans 3 oz cans - without the dry food - would be pretty close to his
maintenance diet. For him to lose weight *safely*, you'll need to reduce
his daily caloric intake by no more than 25% - or to about 214 kcal/day - or
about 2 cans. You can leave out about 1/4 cup of dry to fill in the
remaining kcals. I could give you a more accurate estimate if you let me
know which canned and dry foods he's eating.


When I get the new cat (an adult female) after I take her to the vet right
away for bloodwork, when she gets the clear and I can bring her home, I
need
some suggestions for introducing them to each other.


Randi has just lost a life-long companion. Are you absolutely sure he's in
the right frame of mind to handle the introduction and presence of a new
cat(s)? Some cats take longer than others to go through the greiving
process - especially if they were very close.




With Randi, he was
only 9 weeks old and Elvis was mad at me for a day and then he mothered
him.
I kept Randi in a separate room for a couple days and then they were fine.
Just would like to get
your suggestions.

If you feel Randi is ready, the best way to begin the introduction process
is one sense at a time -- let them adjust to each other's scent before
actually seeing and meeting each other. Set up a 'sanctuary room' for the
new cat. Put her food and water bowls and a litterbox and a *new*
scratching post in the room and make sure the room has a few hiding places
and cubby holes where she can hide and feel safe when she needs to. You can
also put a towel over the carrier and leave the gate open. This allows her
to adjust to her new home in security and also doesn't make Randi feel like
his tuff is being invaded. Initially, keep the door to the sanctuary room
closed. After a few days, switch the cats.

Once you see that the cats are adjusting to each others' scent, you can
stack 3 gates in the doorway (which you can return after the introduction)
so the cats can see each other and approach each other as closely as they
feel comfortable. Don't try to force or entice the cats to approach each
other - let them approach each other through the gate in their own time. If
things get nasty, you can still close the door with the gates in place (just
make sure you place the gates on the inside of the door frame.

http://www.maxshouse.com/introducing_cats.htm

Once you see the cats approaching each other in peace - a few hisses and
spits are normal - start placing their food and water bowls on the far side
of each room and gradually inch them closer to the gate. When the cats are
able to eat with both bowls touching the gates - you can start letting the
cats approach each other 'in person' without the gates but closely
supervised. Keep a blanket handy in case of a fight. The first few
meetings should be short and gradually increase the time together. If you
see one or both cats getting nervous or aggressive - put the new cat back
in the sanctuary room before a fight develops. A serious fight at the
beginning can cause permanent damage to their relationship.

I'm sure others can add to this, this was just the basics.



Thanks, Carol Oh, and my vet has KITTENS available
in a couple weeks! They aren't ready yet but
I think I am going to get two. Or three. lol

Littermates and young kittens are great to watch grow up together! Many
become *very* close and best buds for life. The only problem is that they
usually ignore *us* and would rather play with each other!

Best of luck.

Phil.