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Kitten/older cat update



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 4th 10, 12:12 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
cybercat
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Posts: 4,212
Default Kitten/older cat update

Back in November we adopted the 8-week-old Bella, a rambunctious and funny
black shorthair with a few tortoiseshell markings. Our Gracie is now nearly
11, and had been slowing down, sleeping more, etc.

I reported on the initial distress the kitten's constant stalking caused
Gracie. I have her plenty of "time outs" putting the kitten in another part
of the house. We kept their claws trimmed and were ready to step in if the
frequent skirmishes got too bad.

They never did. Now the kitten is 8 months old, bigger than Gracie who is
about 7 lbs, and they are old buddies. They don't cuddle but they do hang
out, sleeping a foot apart on the bed, or one sitting under a kitchen chair
while the other sits on top, occasionally poking a paw down to play. They
share food, no kidding. It works out because Bella is a chow hound and
Gracie is pretty indifferent to food. I put it down and Gracie gets what she
wants, the kitten stays away until she is finished, then hoovers it up. I
watch carefully to make sure Gracie is not getting intimidated by the
kitten's vigor. She holds her own, wheeling like a grizzly and slapping the
snot out of the air, which makes the kitten run away happily.

They are both gentle girlycats, very polite. All cats really are different,
and this politeness, lack of irritability, even-temperedness, is certainly
the key to our success. Now when I put the baby away if she is too
rambunctious Gracie seems to look for her until I let her out. I think I
wrote a while back about how Gracie watches and sometimes mimics the kitten,
lately jumping up to inspect what we are eating, stealing a lick if she can
get it and running away.

The kitten sits tall and stares in earnest at anything we are eating. She
gets a little. Cantaloupe and yogurt, cottage cheese and pasta with buttery
sauce are her favorites. I check everything with the vet before she gets
anything, and then she only gets a little. She is long and lanky with a
narrow head and very powerful haunches as we play "jump for the feather"
every day. But she has this hilarious little pot belly. It is the typical
flap some cats have--it has to be hereditary, as it seems to make no
difference if they are fat or skinny, spayed before or after babies--but
just a little jiggly. It wobbles when she runs and she runs a lot.

The kitten squeaks. She yips like a puppy if we shut her out or in, and
utters an indignant, long squeak if we pet her or hold her too long. As she
runs around the house, she utters occasional squeaks as she, say, jumps up
on something, or as she passes by in a flash. She is also a burrower.
Starting at our toes, she burrows up under the covers, pops out at our
chins, then backs up and cuddles unde the covers, goes to sleep, squeaks
when we move to remind us she is there. Or we are awakenend to a moving,
squeaking lump under the bottom sheet that twists and turns like a deranged
mole. She was extremely proud of herself the first time she weaseled under
the bottom sheet.

One of the best tips, if you are an affectionate, hands-on cat person: make
sure you make a serious effort to make over, love on, pet, give treats to,
your older cat every single time you do so for the kitten. Pay her extra
attention, the kitten will not mind. I think this has helped Gracie adapt to
the baby.


  #2  
Old June 4th 10, 02:07 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
MaryL
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Posts: 2,779
Default Kitten/older cat update


"cybercat" wrote in message
...

One of the best tips, if you are an affectionate, hands-on cat person:
make sure you make a serious effort to make over, love on, pet, give
treats to, your older cat every single time you do so for the kitten. Pay
her extra attention, the kitten will not mind. I think this has helped
Gracie adapt to the baby.


Nice message, and the information in this last paragraph is great advice.
That is what I did with Holly when I adopted Duffy, and I think it is key to
establishing a good relationship (just as with hoomin siblings). It is all
too easy to shower attention on the new kitten, and it is easy for the older
cat to quickly become jealous.

MaryL

  #3  
Old June 5th 10, 01:43 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Cheryl[_3_]
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Posts: 1,078
Default Kitten/older cat update

"cybercat" wrote in message
...
Back in November we adopted the 8-week-old Bella, a rambunctious and funny
black shorthair with a few tortoiseshell markings. Our Gracie is now
nearly 11, and had been slowing down, sleeping more, etc.


I know she has a long time ahead of her of sleeping in the sun and playing
with her new sister.

One of the best tips, if you are an affectionate, hands-on cat person:
make sure you make a serious effort to make over, love on, pet, give
treats to, your older cat every single time you do so for the kitten. Pay
her extra attention, the kitten will not mind. I think this has helped
Gracie adapt to the baby.


Good advice. I'm so glad this has worked out for you all! It's amazing
sometimes, isn't it, how they can surprise us!

  #4  
Old June 5th 10, 09:08 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
cybercat
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Posts: 4,212
Default Kitten/older cat update


"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
"cybercat" wrote in message
...
Back in November we adopted the 8-week-old Bella, a rambunctious and
funny black shorthair with a few tortoiseshell markings. Our Gracie is
now nearly 11, and had been slowing down, sleeping more, etc.


I know she has a long time ahead of her of sleeping in the sun and playing
with her new sister.


Thanks, Cheryl, I really hope she does. Gracie is the sweetest cat I have
ever known.


One of the best tips, if you are an affectionate, hands-on cat person:
make sure you make a serious effort to make over, love on, pet, give
treats to, your older cat every single time you do so for the kitten. Pay
her extra attention, the kitten will not mind. I think this has helped
Gracie adapt to the baby.


Good advice. I'm so glad this has worked out for you all! It's amazing
sometimes, isn't it, how they can surprise us!


It's really true. I love getting to know their different personalities. You
know, I almost walked out of the SPCA with a baby boy at the same time we
got Bella, he was an orange tabby. But he hissed at Bella and my FIL
talked me out of it. For me, I think it was the right thing, because this
was my first kitten. Two would have been a little much.


  #5  
Old June 8th 10, 06:48 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Rene
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Posts: 117
Default Kitten/older cat update


One of the best tips, if you are an affectionate, hands-on cat person: make
sure you make a serious effort to make over, love on, pet, give treats to,
your older cat every single time you do so for the kitten. Pay her extra
attention, the kitten will not mind. I think this has helped Gracie adapt to
the baby.


You are so right! Thanks for posting this great story. I'm glad they
are getting along so great. It's fun to have multiple cats, isn't it?

Does Bella happen to like steamed (plain) broccoli? Two of ours adore
it and will get a tiny piece when we make it.

Rene
  #6  
Old June 8th 10, 08:43 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
cybercat
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Posts: 4,212
Default Kitten/older cat update


"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
"cybercat" wrote in message
...
Back in November we adopted the 8-week-old Bella, a rambunctious and
funny black shorthair with a few tortoiseshell markings. Our Gracie is
now nearly 11, and had been slowing down, sleeping more, etc.


I know she has a long time ahead of her of sleeping in the sun and playing
with her new sister.


You know I was not saying we got a kitten because Gracie has turned into a
dud, right?

lol Just making sure. I adore her. She gets to looking like Gollum when
she needs a depo shot, but then I guess I have my moments too. One thing the
kitten's wide open personality has done--because Bella is so relaxed and
open and cuddly, it kind of hurts my feelings when Gracie runs from us,
which she does everywhere in the house except in one room. Then I remember
all she went through, being a stray in a nasty trailer park, pregnant before
she was a year old, 4 months in a shelter where she was packed in like a
sardine. I adore her for herself.


  #7  
Old June 8th 10, 08:44 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
cybercat
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Posts: 4,212
Default Kitten/older cat update


"Rene" wrote
Does Bella happen to like steamed (plain) broccoli? Two of ours adore
it and will get a tiny piece when we make it.


I have not checked this, but I will! Although, we do not want to start the
behavior that made us dub her "Pootie Jane" when she first got here. Man,
could that 2-lb kitten clear a room.


  #8  
Old June 9th 10, 02:08 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Cheryl[_3_]
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Posts: 1,078
Default Kitten/older cat update

"cybercat" wrote in message
...

"Cheryl" wrote in message
...



I know she has a long time ahead of her of sleeping in the sun and
playing with her new sister.


You know I was not saying we got a kitten because Gracie has turned into a
dud, right?

Never crossed my mind. Gracie had her sister before, even if they didn't
get along the greatest, she knew she wasn't the "only".

lol Just making sure. I adore her. She gets to looking like Gollum when
she needs a depo shot, but then I guess I have my moments too. One thing
the kitten's wide open personality has done--because Bella is so relaxed
and open and cuddly, it kind of hurts my feelings when Gracie runs from
us, which she does everywhere in the house except in one room. Then I
remember all she went through, being a stray in a nasty trailer park,
pregnant before she was a year old, 4 months in a shelter where she was
packed in like a sardine. I adore her for herself.


Bonnie is like that and will probably never not run from me. I'll take her
affection on her terms.



  #9  
Old June 9th 10, 08:26 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
cybercat
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Posts: 4,212
Default Kitten/older cat update


"Cheryl" wrote
Bonnie is like that and will probably never not run from me. I'll take
her affection on her terms.


Yeah, I know what you mean. I love kittens now that I have had one, but I
will always have a special spot in my heart and in my home for adult
rescues.


  #10  
Old June 10th 10, 09:03 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
-L.
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Posts: 521
Default Kitten/older cat update

On Jun 8, 12:43*pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"Cheryl" wrote in message

...

"cybercat" wrote in message
...
Back in November we adopted the 8-week-old Bella, a rambunctious and
funny black shorthair with a few tortoiseshell markings. Our Gracie is
now nearly 11, and had been slowing down, sleeping more, etc.


I know she has a long time ahead of her of sleeping in the sun and playing
with her new sister.


You know I was not saying we got a kitten because Gracie has turned into a
dud, right?

lol *Just making sure. I adore her. She gets to looking like Gollum when
she needs a depo shot, but then I guess I have my moments too. One thing the
kitten's wide open personality has done--because Bella is so relaxed and
open and cuddly, it kind of hurts my feelings when Gracie runs from us,
which she does everywhere in the house except in one room. Then I remember
all she went through, being a stray in a nasty trailer park, pregnant before
she was a year old, 4 months in a shelter where she was packed in like a
sardine. I adore her for herself.


FWIW, Mimi used to have eosinophilic granuloma when she was younger,
but after about age 13 (?), she quit having it altogether, and I never
had to give her another Depo shot. Not sure why. Her diet didn't
change, and she was indoor, so there wasn't really anything different
in her environment. She just quit breaking out. Very weird.

As a side note -- I just popped in to say hi to all the old rpch&b
peeps. I was reading and posting at alt-true-crime (there is a
missing little boy in our area, who I am afraid was kidnapped) and
thought I'd stop by. I mainly hang on FB now -- if any of you old
timers are on there, and want to friend me, send me an email and I
will send you my link. This address is valid.

We are all doing well -- no kitties, but still have our old dog,
Tessa. She's 12, fat, sassy and happy.

Peace out,

-L.
 




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