Update on cat pooping in house

I had initially separated them but not long enough I guess. I first got
Natasha and then a year and a half later rescued Rocky from an owner who
wasn't taking care of him. This was before I was married. I had to keep
them separated until Rocky's feline leukemia tests came back (2 days).
However, they had no trouble getting along - Natasha just made sure Rocky
knew the rules of the house.

I had Rocky for 8 years after that until I had him put down when he was
suffering too much from his bone cancer. Natasha was also diagnosed with
lymphoma several years later and was put down 2 years after that when it
became obvious that digestion was getting too painful for her.


On 11/9/06 6:37 AM, in article ,
"Wendy" wrote:


"Deborah Trujillo" wrote in message
...
Also, it wasn't Natasha who didn't like Fussbudget but rather the other
way
around. He physically attacked her several times to a point where I had
to
keep them separated and took over one of the litter boxes and wouldn't let
her use it.


This reply isn't for you as you aren't going to have to worry about
introducing cats but for others who might be reading this thread.

When introducing adult cats it's a big mistake to just put them together.
They need to be separated to begin with and the introduction needs to be
done gradually. The personalities of the individual cats involved will
dictate the pace but it's not inconceivable that they might not have even
laid eyes on each other 2 weeks into the introduction. Mary L has some
wonderful pictures illustrating her successful introduction of her two cats
and I'm sure many good tips can be found in a web search for introducing
cats.

If adopting from a rescue group or from someone who knows the personality of
the cat ask their advice on bringing the cat into your home and then try
following their suggestions. Some cats are shy or more 'sensitive' than
others and might need special care to introduce them to their new
environment. It's stressful on the cat to be re-homed in the best
circumstances and can be more stressful if the individual cat's temperament
isn't taken into account.

If you live in the Las Vegas area and would like to adopt a very nice
cat (and maybe his brother as well - they are both nice), Tumbleweed
will be at the PetSmart at Tropicana and Fort Apache. His name at the
Shelter had been Ooster and that is the name he will go by again.
There is a chance that Donna who is in charge of the cats at this
location might not be offering him for adoption again for a couple
weeks, as she will not be offering his brother Mike for another couple
weeks.

They both went through separation anxiety when Tumbleweed came to live
with us (although I didn't at the time realize that was what it was -
just was concerned he wasn't eating). I only learned about Mike's
separation anxiety last week.

Tumbleweed has a chip implant so you will only need to notify HomeAgain
(the shelter will have this information).

The name of the organization is Heaven Can Wait and the woman in charge
of cat adoptions is Elaine. The number is 702-227-5555.

"Deborah Trujillo" wrote in message
...
I had initially separated them but not long enough I guess. I first got
Natasha and then a year and a half later rescued Rocky from an owner who
wasn't taking care of him. This was before I was married. I had to keep
them separated until Rocky's feline leukemia tests came back (2 days).
However, they had no trouble getting along - Natasha just made sure Rocky
knew the rules of the house.

I had Rocky for 8 years after that until I had him put down when he was
suffering too much from his bone cancer. Natasha was also diagnosed with
lymphoma several years later and was put down 2 years after that when it
became obvious that digestion was getting too painful for her.



I took approximately 6 weeks for the full introduction (that is, before I
left the two cats alone together when I was out of the house all day). I
did it in very slow, careful increments -- and their relationship is now
wonderful. It can be done in a shorter time than that in many cases, but it
is always better to take *more* time than to try to rush it and take too
little time.

Here are the pictures Wendy mentioned in her post. They are a "pictorial
history" of introducing Holly and Duffy. Incidentally, Holly had been my
little "black tornado" before this because she had always reacted violently
to any other cat in my presence, and Duffy is a blind kitty who was in a
shelter for several months before I adopted him. He is truly remarkable,
and the most lovable little guy imaginable. The two would not have blended
so well if I had just placed them together without this slow introductory
period.

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

MaryL

on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:38:40 GMT, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-
LITTER wrote:

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 posting these. The door cutout and screen are brilliant! And
following the photos in sequence was like reading a love story. 3

--
Lynne


"Every once in a while, the tables are turned and we get to share our lives
with an animal who takes care of their human." - Tara, rpdb

"Lynne" wrote in message
m...
on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:38:40 GMT, "MaryL"
-OUT-THE-
LITTER wrote:

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 posting these. The door cutout and screen are brilliant! And
following the photos in sequence was like reading a love story. 3

--
Lynne


Thanks! What a great description.

MaryL

On Tue, 07 Nov 2006 15:01:39 +0000, Deborah Trujillo wrote:

My husband told me this morning that his allergies have really been acting
up since Tumbleweed came to live with us. He didn't tell me before because I
had loved the cat so much. I've had him at the vet's since yesterday to
treat his diarrhea and find out of any physical causes of this. I bought a
new box.

I've decided it would be best to take him back to the shelter. It's no-kill
and Tumbleweed is still young. I learned his brother went through some
separation anxiety when we brought him home and wouldn't eat so he's been
staying at the house of the woman running the adoptions for cats at this
location. Maybe they'll be reunited.

This is breaking my heart so I've told my husband he has to come with me so
I don't have to do this alone.

We're going out of town Friday but we'll take him back before we leave.

I know I will probably get flamed for this decision but I'm doing what I
think is best for all concerned.


Some people are just very allergic to cat dander. My son and one of his
kids are in this class. Perhaps a small dog could fill the void. But
then, again, he could be bothered by that too. I am allergic to dust
-- but just try to avoid that! MLB