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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2015 23:05:33 GMT
We have a mature cat already - she's about 9 yo, and the best cat - never scratches, bites or hisses, doesn't claw furniture, won't sit on the couches without a blanket first. Her main flaw is she isn't a lap cat and she dislikes and avoids my hubby. For that reason my hubby calls her a "waste of fur". Her only vice is my inventory - she feels obligated to fur it up if she can.
Someone at his office brought in a tiny kitten - maybe 5 weeks old, but able to eat food and use the litter box. He was a feral, but is quite socialized now. We had him over for a visit to see how Aggie would respond - she just watched him for a while and then walked off in disgust.
Anyhow, we will take ownership on the 22nd (going on vacay until then).
What do we need to do for this tiny little mite? The current idea to keep him in the kid's bathroom until we're sure he's potty trained, just letting him out while supervised to train him. I've never had a kitty this young, always got them from the shelter at around 4-5 months.
Any advice is appreciated! Especially about how to introduce him to Aggie without her feeling the need to mark or defend her territory.
Thanks!
Laurie
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Jun 10, 2015 0:03:18 GMT
Main thing you need..... patience.
It will take time for him to get used to his new digs, and for Aggie to get used to him. Expect to get the stink eye from her for awhile, and maybe a few hissy fits. They will get used to each other, it just takes time.
Separate dishes are usually a good idea so Aggie won't feel like he is stealing her food. Mine don't care and share with the kittens, but some cats just don't like to share.
At that age they are full of energy and like to explore and get into everything. So lots of toys and things to keep him busy, even if it's just empty boxes, are a must.
Just make sure to keep on giving Aggie attention so she knows you love her even though you dared to bring home a new baby.
Oh.... and post LOTS of pics.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 4:07:08 GMT
Yep, everything Shirley said.
And be aware that Aggie might have been trouble-free because she was Queen Cat. You might need patience with her, too.
Being so little, you might be able to train the new one to be a lap cat, if that's what you want. Pick him up and cuddle him, walk around with him (letting him know you won't drop him) ALL THE TIME. And, of course, have him on your lap (or DH's lap, lol) a lot.
I think your idea of keeping him n the bathroom for a few days is okay, but be prepared for some whining! I wouldn't worry about him and Aggie, they'll sort it out.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 15:09:18 GMT
We took in two very, very young kittens from a friends mom's property. They were TINY. We have a huge indoor dog that latterly could fit a whole kitten in her muzzle, not that she ever did! So we kept the kittens in a large dog kennel with a little litter box (disposable square aluminum pan for the first couple of weeks), water dish, blankets etc. We sat the kennel in the middle of our dining/living room area so they were around us all the time, even if we weren't playing with them. The dog actually whined because she wanted to play with them, but the kittens were perfectly happy to swipe at her from their safe little haven. It really worked out well.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Jun 10, 2015 15:11:24 GMT
Kitten will be litter box trained by nature but you have to do your part by keeping a litter box handy.
Kittens are just like little kids. They run and play and then all of a sudden, they have to pee. Kittens will not run through three rooms to find a litter box. They will pee in a litter box in the same room/area they are in but are not going to have time to hunt around for one in the laundry room on the other side of the house.
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Post by Tabby on Jun 10, 2015 15:28:08 GMT
Please remember that this is going to be a really hard change for Aggie to accept. The best description I've found is that bringing home a second cat is pretty much the same as a man bringing home a second wife and saying, "See how great she is, Honey? We're all going to be so happy together!"Yep, Aggie is gonna be like  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 15:33:31 GMT
Add a few scratching posts strategically placed to save your furniture.
I would ask if there's a feral brother or sister to go along with this little guy. Two kittens keep each other entertained and they're hysterical to watch. Nothing like waking up at 1 am wondering if a herd of elephants are running through your house.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Jun 10, 2015 17:32:45 GMT
My cats pretty much react in two extremes to a new cat. There is the group which is usually Daisy, Lucy, Tanji, and Yogi that give the new kitten a hiss or two and then either ignore it from then on or pin it down and groom it constantly.
The others just ignore it from the beginning and give the kitten a hiss or two if it wanders into their space.
But all of them have basically grown up in a herd so they don't have the "only cat on earth" syndrome.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 21:44:04 GMT
Thanks for all the advice!
Aggie is VERY territorial outside. She will chase and beat up any cat that ventures into her yard. Just one cat keeps coming back, even after she beat him up, and now they just ignore each other.
She also patrols the backyard daily, and I've seen her spraying out there. She is spayed.
Her fearsomeness outside is why we have not acquired a new cat until now...She has mellowed out a lot in the last year, so here's hoping.
Laurie
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