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#1
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New Female & 2 Existing Males - Please Help!
Last weekend I found a little female that was living outside and being
fed by a neighbor. That person didn't want to take her in even though she was really sweet and let the woman pick her up. It was 20 degrees F - I couldn't leave her out there so I took her in and then to the vet. By Wednesday the vet had contacted someone based on her microchip and determined no one wanted her. I have had Calvin and Claude since they were 8 weeks old. While they come from different litters, they are just like brothers. Both are very laid back. After getting her up to date with shots, I brought her home. It has been crazy ever since. Cate, when alone is ok. She'll come sit on my lap, purr like crazy and when she's really happy will curl over onto her belly. But without warning she'll turn and hiss, bite or hit. When she even thinks that she can sense the "boys" she is 10 times worse. It has gotten to the point that I cannot even touch her without a hiss and growl. I am scared to pet her. She wants to sit on my lap but doesn't want to be pet. My boys have seen her and do not really care. They sit by the door and purr. She sits on the other side and just hisses and growls. The boys interact with me like she isn't here - they smell her on me I know but just let me pet them and treat them as normal. If she hisses loudly, my shy guy (Claude) will hiss back but I haven't seen Cal or Claude initiate anything. Everything I read says its the existing cat that is the problem and the new cat will just adapt - this is the exact opposite. I went to the store today and got Feliway - lots of it. I use it when going to the vet, but I bought two of those plug in versions - one in the living room and one in her room (hall bathroom). I'm hoping the Feliway will at least take the edge off. What am I doing wrong here? I have NEVER had a cat on such a hair trigger before. Before Cal and Claude, I had Boris who was 19 when he passed. The only time Boris acted like this was when I was 8 and accidentally shut his tail in the door. Are there any recommendations for books or articles on how to gain a cat's trust? I'm not sure how long she was outside, but she does know how to use a litter box, eats well and uses the scratching post so she was in a house environment for a while. I do not want to dump her like everyone else has. I'm willing to be as patient as needed, but I'd feel better if I had a bit of a game plan because playing by ear isn't working so well. Thanks! |
#2
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New Female & 2 Existing Males - Please Help!
You need to isolate the new cat in a room by herself with bed, food, water,
and litter. Quietly sit inside the room with her and feed her. She will gradually feel safe in the room and safe with you. Let the boys smell a towel that has her smell on it. You must integrate her SLOWLY into your household. She is very scared and this is why she is having this reaction. Over time, you can open the door to the room and let her go outside of the room by herself. Always supervise her and put her back into the room after a time. Time and patience is the key. You are wonderful to take her in. Gail wrote in message ups.com... Last weekend I found a little female that was living outside and being fed by a neighbor. That person didn't want to take her in even though she was really sweet and let the woman pick her up. It was 20 degrees F - I couldn't leave her out there so I took her in and then to the vet. By Wednesday the vet had contacted someone based on her microchip and determined no one wanted her. I have had Calvin and Claude since they were 8 weeks old. While they come from different litters, they are just like brothers. Both are very laid back. After getting her up to date with shots, I brought her home. It has been crazy ever since. Cate, when alone is ok. She'll come sit on my lap, purr like crazy and when she's really happy will curl over onto her belly. But without warning she'll turn and hiss, bite or hit. When she even thinks that she can sense the "boys" she is 10 times worse. It has gotten to the point that I cannot even touch her without a hiss and growl. I am scared to pet her. She wants to sit on my lap but doesn't want to be pet. My boys have seen her and do not really care. They sit by the door and purr. She sits on the other side and just hisses and growls. The boys interact with me like she isn't here - they smell her on me I know but just let me pet them and treat them as normal. If she hisses loudly, my shy guy (Claude) will hiss back but I haven't seen Cal or Claude initiate anything. Everything I read says its the existing cat that is the problem and the new cat will just adapt - this is the exact opposite. I went to the store today and got Feliway - lots of it. I use it when going to the vet, but I bought two of those plug in versions - one in the living room and one in her room (hall bathroom). I'm hoping the Feliway will at least take the edge off. What am I doing wrong here? I have NEVER had a cat on such a hair trigger before. Before Cal and Claude, I had Boris who was 19 when he passed. The only time Boris acted like this was when I was 8 and accidentally shut his tail in the door. Are there any recommendations for books or articles on how to gain a cat's trust? I'm not sure how long she was outside, but she does know how to use a litter box, eats well and uses the scratching post so she was in a house environment for a while. I do not want to dump her like everyone else has. I'm willing to be as patient as needed, but I'd feel better if I had a bit of a game plan because playing by ear isn't working so well. Thanks! |
#3
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New Female & 2 Existing Males - Please Help!
wrote in message ups.com... Last weekend I found a little female that was living outside and being fed by a neighbor. That person didn't want to take her in even though she was really sweet and let the woman pick her up. It was 20 degrees F - I couldn't leave her out there so I took her in and then to the vet. By Wednesday the vet had contacted someone based on her microchip and determined no one wanted her. You're an angel to take her in. What kind of cretin has the cat chipped then abandons her? Ugh. What Gail says has merit. Confining her will ensure she is clear on where her box is, and will probably comfort her as she will not have to contend with other cats as well as a new owner and place to live. Make her a nice little space, and visit her but let her come to you. Patience is all you need. You are her guardian angel. She might have frozen to death without you. |
#4
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New Female & 2 Existing Males - Please Help!
On Jan 27, 8:07 pm, wrote:
[...] I'm willing to be as patient as needed, but I'd feel better if I had a bit of a game plan because playing by ear isn't working so well. ------------------ You are WONDERFUL! As the prior folks have mentioned, it takes t.i.m.e. Good news is, your boys aren't beating up on her--you are all very lucky. It's just a matter of helping her adjust, and isolating her then reintroducing her slowly will teach her over time that she's not in danger. Don't worry about petting her right away. Sit with her, let her climb on you, and leave the petting for later, when she seems to invite it. Even then, don't overdo, or she'll show you when she's had enough! If you get clobbered a couple of times, don't take it personally-- she's going to be skittish for a while. My Butch was a shelter fellow. He was always a love, but would get spooked out of nowhere even months after I had him, and I have scars to prove it. He seemed to realize mid-bite or scratch that he was attacking the wrong creature, and he'd run off quickly--you could almost hear him swearing, "Oh, $hit! I did it agAin!" Sympathy never stopped me from yelling after him, "Now I know WHY you were in a shelter!" ...but not once did I consider sending him back. Enjoy your new challenges--and embrace the boys often. They're making this all a lot easier on you than most cats would. |
#5
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New Female & 2 Existing Males - Please Help!
On Jan 27, 8:07�pm, wrote:
Last weekend I found a little female that was living outside and being fed by a neighbor. *That person didn't want to take her in even though she was really sweet and let the woman pick her up. *It was 20 degrees F - I couldn't leave her out there so I took her in and then to the vet. *By Wednesday the vet had contacted someone based on her microchip and determined no one wanted her. I have had Calvin and Claude since they were 8 weeks old. *While they come from different litters, they are just like brothers. *Both are very laid back. After getting her up to date with shots, I brought her home. *It has been crazy ever since. *Cate, when alone is ok. *She'll come sit on my lap, purr like crazy and when she's really happy will curl over onto her belly. *But without warning she'll turn and hiss, bite or hit. * When she even thinks that she can sense the "boys" she is 10 times worse. *It has gotten to the point that I cannot even touch her without a hiss and growl. *I am scared to pet her. *She wants to sit on my lap but doesn't want to be pet. My boys have seen her and do not really care. *They sit by the door and purr. *She sits on the other side and just hisses and growls. *The boys interact with me like she isn't here - they smell her on me I know but just let me pet them and treat them as normal. *If she hisses loudly, my shy guy (Claude) will hiss back but I haven't seen Cal or Claude initiate anything. *Everything I read says its the existing cat that is the problem and the new cat will just adapt - this is the exact opposite. I went to the store today and got Feliway - lots of it. *I use it when going to the vet, but I bought two of those plug in versions - one in the living room and one in her room (hall bathroom). *I'm hoping the Feliway will at least take the edge off. What am I doing wrong here? *I have NEVER had a cat on such a hair trigger before. *Before Cal and Claude, I had Boris who was 19 when he passed. *The only time Boris acted like this was when I was 8 and accidentally shut his tail in the door. Are there any recommendations for books or articles on how to gain a cat's trust? *I'm not sure how long she was outside, but she does know how to use a litter box, eats well and uses the scratching post so she was in a house environment for a while. *I do not want to dump her like everyone else has. *I'm willing to be as patient as needed, but I'd feel better if I had a bit of a game plan because playing by ear isn't working so well. Thanks! Be careful that you do not allow your other kats to eat or drink or even come face-to-face with the new arrival. She may very well have feline leukemia or feline AIDS. Both of which can prove mortal. It almost happened to us. We found the cutest and happiest little stray. I wanted it really bad, but my ever-mindful wife put her hand out like a traffic cop. And she was right. We got him tested and he pas positive for AIDS. A real bummer. Good luck...... And next time, keep your post brief, would you please?? We ain't got all nite here... IBen |
#6
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New Female & 2 Existing Males - Please Help!
On Jan 31, 6:10 am, "IBen Getiner" wrote:
[...] Good luck...... And next time, keep your post brief, would you please?? We ain't got all nite here... ---------------- Your point about the feline leukemia is valid and should be well taken by anyone who does not wish to infect their cats. Your sling about brevity, however, fails to recognize that anything posted or read here is entirely voluntary.... |
#7
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New Female & 2 Existing Males - Please Help!
On Jan 31, 6:33�pm, "LB" wrote:
On Jan 31, 6:10 am, "IBen Getiner" wrote: [...] Good luck...... *And next time, keep your post brief, would you please?? We ain't got all nite here... ---------------- Your point about the feline leukemia is valid and should be well taken by anyone who does not wish to infect their cats. Your sling about brevity, however, fails to recognize that anything posted or read here is entirely voluntary.... Yes. And may I also remind you that this kind of angry retort is also voluntary. Agressive and judgmental dialog in these here discussion groups kan get quite nasty, and rather quickly, too. Especially when pointed at the wrong poster IBen Getiner |
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