New Kittens? Help.

[Guest]

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We've succumbed.

Two neglected kittens from next door have just taken up residence in our home.

It has been an ongoing saga but we decided a few days ago adopt the kittens. We were figuring out the logistics but finally went ahead with it today because the heat index is going to be more than 110 F.

They need to be in the A/C - dangerously hot.

At present, new kitties are locked in bedrooms with children to imprint and get accustomed to the house. But it's been a long time since we've introduced a new pet to an established household of pets.

Anyone have any suggestions to help ease the transition? It would be nice to not have kitty WW III.

It's just too damn hot.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

http://www.smileyarchiv.net/smiley/sendungen_tv0223.gif


We've succumbed.

Two neglected kittens from next door have just taken up residence in our home.

It has been an ongoing saga but we decided a few days ago adopt the kittens. We were figuring out the logistics but finally went ahead with it today because the heat index is going to be more than 110 F.

They need to be in the A/C - dangerously hot.

At present, new kitties are locked in bedrooms with children to imprint and get accustomed to the house. But it's been a long time since we've introduced a new pet to an established household of pets.

Anyone have any suggestions to help ease the transition? It would be nice to not have kitty WW III.

It's just too damn hot.

The best advice I have is make sure you lavish such attention on those already in residence as they will take. Cat are territorial and invading their turff is bad news, but they are more apt to share with kittens than new full grown cats. Pecking order, however, will be established and you can keep that to a minimum of battles if you reasure those already in line they haven't lost favor.

As an aside, I already thought the world of you, but even more so now. People who are klind to animals are the best kind of people IMHO

 

[Guest]

The best advice I have is make sure you lavish such attention on those already in residence as they will take. Cat are territorial and invading their turff is bad news, but they are more apt to share with kittens than new full grown cats. Pecking order, however, will be established and you can keep that to a minimum of battles if you reasure those already in line they haven't lost favor.

As an aside, I already thought the world of you, but even more so now. People who are klind to animals are the best kind of people IMHO

Thank you, Colly.

The kittens are solid black, quite adorable, and their personalities seem to fit those of their "chosen" kid. Our daughter's kitten is a lap sitting purrer while our young wild son's kitten is a fireball (nicknamed - ankle biter).

To see the kitties curled up sleeping on our children's beds already is a very good thing.




(Meanwhile, the established cats have taken turns scowling at the closed doors, yelling at us, and stalking through the house. As long as they don't decide to start marking their territory we'll be in good shape. )

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Thank you, Colly.

The kittens are solid black, quite adorable, and their personalities seem to fit those of their "chosen" kid. Our daughter's kitten is a lap sitting purrer while our young wild son's kitten is a fireball (nicknamed - ankle biter).

To see the kitties curled up sleeping on our children's beds already is a very good thing.




(Meanwhile, the established cats have taken turns scowling at the closed doors, yelling at us, and stalking through the house. As long as they don't decide to start marking their territory we'll be in good shape. )

Mom always had cats. Sudey Ann was the meanest, toughest, just plain bitchiest siamese ever to stalk the face of the planet. At 18, she had cataracts in both eyes, one fang left and one claw. But the negiborhood animals feared her and with good reason.

New neighbors, big, mean rotty. It got out, was strolling down the block and saw Sudeyann sitting in our yard. He charged, growling and snapping. She didn't move, mom said later she was afraid the old dear had gone deaf and didn't realize her danager. Alas for the poor rooty, she knew precisely what she was doing. When he was almost upon her, she darted between his legs, Hung her claw in his balls, and just went limp. When he finally manged to shake her, he took off like he forgot something back in Idaho.

But she allowed mom to bring two new cats into the house without a complaint. I guess she knew she was the baddest of the bad and felt no threat.

After she passed (it took getting hit by a car at 19) one of those kittens, Puddy became mistress of all she surveyed. She wasn't as mean as Sudeyann, but when mom brought Rufus into the house, she beat him like a red headed step child. Never did, until the day she died, accept him as anything other than a punching bag and nuicsance.

Hopefully yours will be the secure kind

 

[Dar~]

are these kittens still at the age where they need to nurse? Until they are six weeks they are supposed to be nursed. If they are you will need to get a bottle and they will need to be fed regualarly.

Another way to keep from having wars (or potty mishaps) is to buy new litter boxes so the cats won't get territorial. when you do, make sur ethat you put the kittens in there so their smell will get in there b4 the other cats. They are established litter box users and will adapt, the kittens may be frightened of the new cats smell and choose to toilet elsewhere.

I also agree with Colly, pay lots of attention to both the older cats. let the older cats smell the kittens on you also, as they will adapt better.

 

[cantdog]

If anyone wants a brief recommendation as to whether Colleen can write, I will direct them to that Sudey Ann story above.

You, Miss Thomas, can write.

 

[variable Xy]

kittens are more easily introduced to an established pet household. give them a week too sniff them out and the older pets protective insticts will kick in.

 

[BlackShanglan]

This is the best advice I've encountered on introducing animals to each other:

http://www.hssv.org/LIBRARY/PDF/Behavior/cattocat.pdf

I followed it when introducing a new cat to a home in which there was both a dog and a cat who was raised alone and who still dislikes everyone but me, including the SO. Just before we began the process, the cats saw each other for half a second and the original one immediately hissed and arched.

When we were through the steps and let them out together, not a single problem. Ever. They've lived together peacefully for years now.

It takes some time, but it is very much worth it.

Shanglan

 

[Guest]

This is the best advice I've encountered on introducing animals to each other:

http://www.hssv.org/LIBRARY/PDF/Behavior/cattocat.pdf

I followed it when introducing a new cat to a home in which there was both a dog and a cat who was raised alone and who still dislikes everyone but me, including the SO. Just before we began the process, the cats saw each other for half a second and the original one immediately hissed and arched.

When we were through the steps and let them out together, not a single problem. Ever. They've lived together peacefully for years now.

It takes some time, but it is very much worth it.

Shanglan

Shang - thank you!

Those are excellent suggestions - it's kind of nice to know we've actually started matters off on the right track.

We are well-acquainted with these kittens because they've been spending all of their time in our back yard or under our front porch or wherever our kids have been.

So, we're progressing to step two at suppertime. Trading kitty scents on washcloths near feeding dishes.

I think our established kitties will have a care for the little ones.

That, or it's going to be a looong transition.