Congratulations, You Won a Cat

Parent Cafe
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<p>Well, SBmom, we could do an even trade :)</p>

<p>Justamom, we are now a family of two with four addresses. We own a home in a city on the gulf coast of Florida; we live most of the time in Miami; I am in Washington 10 days or so out of every month; and D now has a new sublet in Chicago, where she will be working for the summer - she leaves tomorrow. I am in Miami the rest of May, but on travel most of June, and, we recently came to the decison to rent our primary home on the gulf coast, so, my summer plans look like Chicago/Washington most of June, our primary home part of July and August with trips back and forth re Washington, getting it ready to rent, and moving most of our belongings to our rental in Miami, and then, we’re both scheduled to be in different places in Europe end of August. September is anyone’s guess. </p>

<p>We assumed all along one cat, and, we have a long roster of people we know very, very well, and who also know our cat very well, who are committed to cat-sitting this summer (we have had him for ten years). Plans did not include a second cat and the potential for conflict and consequences of that conflict and I do not see how we can work that all out. </p>

<p>Having said that, my daughter told me this morning that she did laundry all night last night (the laundry room is off the deck), and, the cat spent the entire night curled up on our deck table. D said it was the saddest and most pitiful thing she’s ever seen. She also remained resolute that the cat cannot come in the house until cleared by a vet - and I agree. We went through our combined roster of names of people we know, and could not come up with even one person who we thought would be a viable candidate to take in this cat. There’s something wrong with everyone - this one has three dogs, that one travels as much as we do, the other one has never own a pet ever and is unlikely to start now, yet another one I cannot even stand the person and don’t understand why they’re in our address book so no way am I offering them a cat, and so on…</p>

<p>Anyway, I fed her breakfast this morning - she’s just the sweetest creature, and, I called the vet, and made an appointment for tomorrow morning. It’s not too bad - for only $125, they’ll check for a microchip, and do all the tests to make sure she is o.k. to come inside. So, after I hung up with the vet, I went outside and explained it all to her - she looked at me and gave me one of those little meows, and then bounded off the chair where she was curled up and ran to the door and waited. I think she misunderstood and she thought I said she could come inside today! </p>

<p>Anyway, assuming nothing happens at the vet to change anything, when we’re done there tomorrow I’ll bring her home and into my bedroom, and start the process that MaryTN and others have posted. I’m not looking forward to it because I hate disruption in my house, and, I really do not see how our lifestyles can possibly accomodate this, but, she’s outside, there are bugs, tropical rainstorms this time of year, it’s terribly hot and humid for her during the day, and the last two mornings when I fed her breakfast I had to scare off a possum that kept coming out of the foilage, so, this situation is not good for her and it cannot continue, and in just a few days it is evident how much being outdoors in Miami weather is having an effect on her. </p>

<p>So there really is no choice and that is what we are going to do, but, I really would like to find her a nice, happy, safe, permanent home.</p>

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<p>this has been fun to read … the only thing I wanted to add is bringing a new cat into your house (after the vet check) probably would work out if you decide to go that route. Over the last 20 years we’ve typically had 4 cats at a time … 8 different cats in total … when a couple cats have dies we’ve brought in 2 new kittens. We followed the advice given earlier … start with the new cats shut in a separate room … then let the “old” cats check out the “new” cat room when they aren’t there … then open the door … etc. It always starts with hissing (which always makes us question our sanity for doing this again) but so far, in our experience, the cats always at least get along within 2-3 weeks … some as best buds some as cats that tolerate each other. Punchline, I wouldn’t let fear of the cats always fighting drive your decision. (PS - we’ve also always had a dog in the house when we’ve brought kittens home … major league opportunity for meltdowns … and it always works out OK)</p>

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<p>But, 3togo, what happens if I’m far away in one city, D is in another, and they get into a fight and one or both of them get injured, and the cat sitter is the one who has to try to figure out how to get everyone to the vet, and then the vet bill is like a zillion dollars, plus the frustration - our incumbent cat is my D’s pet that I brought home to her as a lost little kitten ten years ago. He has no earthly idea how to defend himself and he’s basically clueless. It will upset my daughter terribly if something happens to him, so, what is the chance that they will not hurt each other?</p>

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<p>good questions … </p>

<p>In our experience if they are going to fight it will happen in the first 2-3 weeks. Once they have settled in I’d guess you have little to worry about … after the first 2-3 weeks when someone travels as long as someone comes in to make sure they have food and water and, hopefully, give them a pet or two they should be fine. We’ve always had 2 or more cats in the house and never had a problem with fighting while we’re away (or if they are fighting we can’t tell by the time we get home … no injuries, no blood, no fur balls, and no cats cowering in corner).</p>

<p>The one thing you’ve mentioned that would make me think longer about this is that current indoor cat is 10 years old … so he’s very established in his ways. There is some chance he just won’t tolerate a new cat in the house. You and your D know your cat the best … and have the best guess if he would be OK sharing the house.</p>

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<p>Well, then, I think this could go one of two ways - either cat #1 is completely stressed out by the combination of cat# 2, plus his best friend and playmate, my daughter, being gone all summer, and he is very miserable, OR, cat #1 misses D very much, needs someone to play with, and attaches himself to cat #2…</p>

<p>Both cats have delightful personalities, are very outgoing and appear to love people. So, I wonder which way it will be?</p>

46

<p>You’re doing a good thing… congrats. :-)</p>

<p>I think the chances are extremely remote that they will be come to blows. They’ll be happy to have each other when you’re travelling.</p>

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<p>Many years ago (more than 25) I had an indoor cat. He was my “baby”, and he knew it. My mom also had her “baby” (also an indoor cat). Both were male. I don’t recall why, but I ended up adopting her cat. Neither boy seemed unsettled by the other. Not in the least. I even had their food bowls next to one another. A very straggly, dirty, hungry stray came calling. I made friends with him over time (he was an outdoor cat) and he would come in and hang with the other two. Never a cross “word” between them. I had all three bowls side by side, and they were so cute together, with the stray staying mostly outside (he was happiest there). </p>

<p>I never even thought for a second the three might fight or not get along. They were all well behaved, all the time.</p>

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<p>Okay, I’m just going to say it - we have 5 cats. They range in age from 20 years to 3 years. The newest addition, a 4 year old, came to us from the humane society in February (that’s what happens when you volunteer the time you once spent with the kid now in college!)</p>

<p>I’ve always had cats and have never had indoor only cats cause each other any real harm. Yes, the spit at each other and chase around alot. The newest one is a real pistol who LIVES to chase the 3 year old kitty we already had and some days they sound like they’re ripping each other apart - never a scratch on either one.</p>

<p>Buy a cheap kid’s water pistol. When you hear the fussing/fighting, walk up behind the one who looks like she’s winning, call her name. When she turns around, squirt the gun. After 3-4 episodes, all you’ll have to do is point your finger like a gun and offending kitty will run from the room.</p>

<p>Works like a charm. No one gets hurt and kitty will then be busy having a bath to remove the water!</p>

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<p>LOL. First a cat I did not ask for and do not actually want shows up. Then she runs away. Then comes back. I had to change the vet appointment to Monday - she sees the cat carrier and takes off running. It’s impossible to catch her, so, I have spent the weekend outside, petting her and trying to get her to not be afraid of the cat carrier. If I cannot get her into it by tomorrow morning’s appointment I am going to have to move the appointment again, and keep trying. LOL.</p>

50

<p>Can you put some little kitty treats in there? That’s a good way to get them used to it when you have time… </p>

<p>Or maybe you can thread some yarn or something through the cage window and pull on it to entice the cat to follow it into the cage.</p>

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<p>I’m hoping by tomorrow morning it works - if not, I’ll wait until it’s time to leave to give her breakfast, then, put a small amount on a dish in the carrier, and hope to get her in that way. But I’ve been outside with her & the carrier all day, getting her used to it, so, we’ll see. LOL what a way to spend a weekend, not what I had in mind…</p>

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<p>Good luck! I’d love to be a fly on the wall and watch the melodramatics from the cat. </p>

<p>Wonder if she’s a good car traveller? My parents’ cat used to howl for hours in the car, you know, that loud unearthly meow nonstop. Then couldn’t make a sound for days afterward, haha.</p>

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<p>I’m seriously hoping she does not decide to go to the bathroom. I am NOT excited about putting her in my new car, but, D’s car is parked at the garage on campus for the summer, and I lost my set of keys to it…so, it’s the cat into the Mustang, I hope this works out. LOL. </p>

<p>She’s very, very cute though. I have been playing with her off and on all day, and, when I pet her, she gets excited and does actual summersalts, and rolls around in the grass.</p>

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<p>Our cats refuse the carrier. We always take them to the vet on a leash.</p>

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<p>I love this thread - brings back memories. The cat may run from the carrier because she knows what it is and associates it with going to the vet! One of our cats fought being put in the carrier (splayed all four paws out wide), and the other would hide whenever she spotted it.<br>
Good luck tomorrow, and keep us posted!</p>

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<p>Binx how in the world do you get them cooperate for a leash? rotfl…</p>

<p>Meanwhile, I’m wondering, assuming I am actually able to get her to the vet, and assuming there’s no microchip and she comes back home with me, I am wondering how she is going to like being inside. When she’s outside, she has all sorts of fun, interesting things to play with. There are dozens of varieties of birds, butterflies, lizards, snakes, bugs, and even snails and other sorts of creatures, and so she has near constant stimulation. Coming inside, comparatively, there’s no one to play with except me - and I’m busy - and another cat - who isn’t going to be very welcoming. I sure hope she’s not going to be miserable…</p>

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<p>Stock up on cat toys - rattling balls, catnip mice, etc and leave a couple in each room. Here’s a really cheap toy - paper grocery sacks! I remember my dad had to get a feisty cat to the vet without mom’s calm influence to help him - he put out a grocery sack which the cat promptly jumped into. He rolled the top down and carried her to the vet that way. Idk, would the aspca have a problem with that these days?!</p>

<p>She’ll find something to do…and will definitely pick a favorite window to perch in.</p>

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<p>Cooperate? who said anything about cooperating! They are CATS! :wink: They wear collars, so we just have to clip on the leash. They have all been indoor cats, but enjoy going for a walk in the yard, or to nibble some grass, so they have some good associations with the leash, too. (That’s a way you can give “your” new kitty some outdoor time.)</p>

<p>The leash simply gives us a way to hang on to them when they try to bolt. (Make sure the collar is tight enough. One of our cats was a regular Houdini. We had to use a harness with him.) In the vets office, they are usually content to sit in a chair, watching. Or stalking the door, hoping someone lets them escape.</p>

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<p>latetoschool, I’ve been following your thread with interest. I’m a cat lover too, although right now we are a dog family. Our vet’s office will not allow cats unless they are caged.</p>

<p>When I was growing up we always had three or more cats and it wasn’t that big a deal when a stray showed up and became part of the menagerie. Lots of howling and hissing, even tussling but no real damage. Our cats were raised when it was common to have inside-outside pets. If they wanted out, you opened the door. I know that’s not done now but it worked for us and our last cat lived to be hmmm 17 or 18 and moved several times.</p>

<p>I think that she will be happy indoors with the cat toys that zimmer07 mentions and maybe she’ll bring some new life into your older cat. I have a feeling that they will get along fine.</p>

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<p>Well…if we can EVER get there - I wish I had some progress here but unfortunately not. She refuses to get in or stay in the cat carrier. I actually had her in it twice, with the lid on, and was in the process of closing all the latches and twice she houdini’d her way out of it. I spent an hour trying and trying, and then finally had to call the vet and reschedule AGAIN, for tomorrow morning. The only useful thing the vet’s admin said was that if I can get her into it sometime today/tonight, it’s not going to hurt her to leave her in it overnight. I said, no way, if she needs to go to the bathroom that’s going to be horrible. I can live with if she is stuck in a mess for the few minutes it will take to drive to the vet’s office, but, overnight, no way. And, the vet will only accept “new” animals in the morning, and, only in proper carriers. </p>

<p>It’s very unfortunate because the original appointment was for Saturday, and, I had a full calendar of business commitments this morning, which I moved into tomorrow, which I will now have to move again. Plus, I was hoping for some progress - either this cat has a microchip and presumably could be reunited with her original owners - who have obviously taken very good care of her and who I am sure must miss her terribly - or - I would be able to have her health verified, and have any fleas etc. removed, and begin the process of trying to intregrate her into our house. Either way she would finally not have to be outside all alone. But for now, still stuck in this situation. </p>

<p>I did leave the cat carrier outside on the deck, with food in it, and, I won’t provide any more food unless it’s in the carrier, plus, tomorrow morning I will get started like four hours early, so maybe there will be a chance of succeeding. I also tried to explain it all to her, but, she isn’t listening to me lol.</p>