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Post by gianna on Jan 17, 2023 10:03:26 GMT -5
Little Kitty has been inside now for more than a week. I visit him multiple times per day. He seems quite content being inside, appears far less nervous, and sleeps a lot. The back door to the garden is in that room, and he has not even made an effort to go outside when I do. He is eating less inside probably because he is warmer and less active and no longer underweight. After about 5 months of being regularly fed, he certainly can no longer be called thin, just average healthy weight. He's a luxuriant critter now. He will play basic string on a stick. And he will let me pet him, even vigorously, but still only when he's eating. He does seem to enjoy the petting, even minimal brushing. He invites me to get closer by rolling on his back and kneading the air, but is still too nervous to let me get close when I actually approach. The lady across the street told me there were 3 coyotes in their backyard the day before yesterday. The existing house cats know something is up and are suspicious... I expect they would play footsie under the door if they could get close.
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Post by desertwoman on Jan 17, 2023 10:58:02 GMT -5
Wow 5 months already! I love these updates. The progression has been wonderful. Lucky kitty Lucky you! gianna,
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Post by gianna on Jan 18, 2023 12:48:23 GMT -5
Wow 5 months already! I love these updates. The progression has been wonderful. Lucky kitty Lucky you! I'm more or less using this thread as Little Kitty's Log. Until I checked when I started the thread, I would not have thought I've been feeding him since mid August! The house cats and LC have clearly seen each other the past couple days, but kept separate with a partition. They have been eyeing each other through the outside windows for several months already, so while there is a reaction, it's not major. Yet. The house cats have however been giving me the stink-eye lately, lol. But I've been giving them lots of attention too. I was able to lightly check LC for fleas again with a flea comb, and did not see any. Still want to give him another treatment. I also was able to visually check one of his ears and saw no symptoms of ear mites. I'll check the other when I can. He does not allow full handling. He's been more active lately too, awake more, less prone to hide, sleeping in my chair, and wanting to play. He is very close to breaking out in 'pet me' mode without having food as a catalyst. And I'm pretty sure I heard a soft, intermittent purr while he was eating yesterday.
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Post by breezygardener on Jan 18, 2023 17:53:56 GMT -5
He's been more active lately too, awake more, less prone to hide, sleeping in my chair, and wanting to play. He is very close to breaking out in 'pet me' mode without having food as a catalyst. And I'm pretty sure I heard a soft, intermittent purr while he was eating yesterday. I am absolutely SURE that he's more grateful than you could ever imagine. He just has to continue to beat down the "trust/self-preservation" thing from a cat that's been living outside for a long time.
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Post by gianna on Jan 21, 2023 12:17:18 GMT -5
I am absolutely SURE that he's more grateful than you could ever imagine. He just has to continue to beat down the "trust/self-preservation" thing from a cat that's been living outside for a long time. I think he really likes it inside. He does seem more relaxed than when outside. There he seemed hyper vigilant all the time, aware/alert of every little noise, sight. As for how long he's been outside, I really don't know. Here, he has not been outside that long because when I first saw him, his 'being too thin' was not something I noticed. As a guess, I'd think not much longer than 6 months living outside. But here with the coyotes and other predators, that's an accomplishment. There are no strays in this neighborhood. So today may be his big day. He's met the 3 resident house cats through the screen, and I may lift that so he can investigate the rest of the house. I'm only able to close off 4 of the rooms to limit him a bit. The 'big cat' and new Little Kitty have met, and don't seem to have any issues. His mirror image (the young orange tabby) aren't bosom buddies yet (growling), but I think will amicably work it out in time. They both have gentle temperament. The big worry is the black/tan tabby, who is very animal-like. I'm afraid there will be some fights between those two. I hope it won't be too bad. Let the games begin.
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Post by breezygardener on Jan 21, 2023 17:21:43 GMT -5
What are the sexes of all the felines involved?
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Post by gianna on Jan 21, 2023 20:08:49 GMT -5
What are the sexes of all the felines involved? The 3 resident cats are all males, between 2 and 3 yrs of age. New Boy is also a male. Young, maybe 3? I didn't care what gender any of them were - they just came that way. The youngest two were acquired during the first year of Covid, and I was very lucky to get them. Back then the local shelters were closed... The introduction is going very well. I'm very pleasantly surprised. He's been out and about in several rooms, slowly and bravely. New boy even was cautiously involved in a game of string on a stick with the others. Minimal hissing. No fights yet, but even the resident boys get into it on occasion, so it's just a matter of time. Right now everyone is napping. One nice thing is that New Boy is familiar with neighborhood sounds and scents. And he's looked into the house from the outside for some time. And vice versa. Could be why everyone is more calm. Since New Boys name is actually LouC., I'm thinking of trying out 'Ricky' as the name of his twin orange tabby. I've never been pleased with his original name, so we'll see.
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Post by breezygardener on Jan 21, 2023 22:35:32 GMT -5
It will be interesting to see how the pecking order works out.
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Post by desertwoman on Jan 21, 2023 22:54:13 GMT -5
It looks like New Boy is fitting in. That's great news gianna !
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Post by gianna on Jan 30, 2023 15:37:19 GMT -5
The introduction is going very well. I'm very pleasantly surprised. And I was wrong. It just took them a while to warm up to their conflicts. They are still adjusting to one another. But no truly injurious fights. Hissing, deep growling, waiting, watching, staulking, chasing. I thought yesterday it was nearly over. Until this morning... It will take time for everyone to get used to each other. They all seem to be sleeping now. New Boy seems to really prefer living inside and has not made any moves to go back out. I once adopted a cat who wanted to be outside and he would sit by the door and whine incessantly to go out. He was also sneaky quick and impossible to stop. I eventually had to let him decide his own fate. Eventually the coyotes got him.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 23, 2023 21:01:10 GMT -5
I need my Giana and the kitties fix How are New Boy and the gang doing? gianna,
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Post by gianna on Feb 26, 2023 19:18:42 GMT -5
How are New Boy and the gang doing? The answer to that depends on which hour you ask me. Right now it's great - they are all sleeping, lol. I think pretty good however. There were some fights, but not much direct contact lately. The black and tan tabby did develop an abscess, which he took care of nicely himself. Still growling and hissing going on, but also more not caring about the stranger in their midst, unless 'he' gets close. Cooties, don't-cha-know. There has been some almost play between the 'white cat' and 'new boy'. Those two get along the best. Yesterday I was surprised to see those two napping on the same couch. Not touching of course, but close. New Boy is like the new kid at school - wanting to fit in, but some of the other kids ain't having it. He now however knows the house better, and can get out of harm's way easier. No one is going anywhere. There is enough room for everyone to find some peace. There are still 3 rooms closed off, and at night, the bedroom . but I do want them to get used to one another. They just need more time.
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 26, 2023 23:16:10 GMT -5
It sounds like it will work out just fine. Been there, done that. At one point we had ten, yes TEN, cats in the house - all adopted, dumped, or just having shown up at the door, & everyone worked out the pecking order/hierarchy without any or much fisticuffs/bloodshed overall.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 27, 2023 10:02:38 GMT -5
Yup- sounds good. Good to hear there continues to be progress and that New Boy is safe and happy to be out of the wild.
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Post by gianna on Mar 2, 2023 10:45:07 GMT -5
It sounds like it will work out just fine. Been there, done that. At one point we had ten, yes TEN, cats in the house - all adopted, dumped, or just having shown up at the door, & everyone worked out the pecking order/hierarchy without any or much fisticuffs/bloodshed overall. There are ups and downs, more than I'd like, but in general going the right way. Yesterday New Boy was freely running around the house with gusto, without as much hissing or dirty looks as usual. This morning I found him sleeping in the location where I usually sit, lol. He still won't let me pet him freely, or even get that close to him, except for the initial feeding area in the back room. But that will come in time. I'm not rushing it. He really does seem happy to be inside. You had 10 cats??? Impressive. Except for the litter box, 4 is not seeming too many. I had a friend who volunteered at a shelter, as well as fostering kittens, ...who ended up with 13 cats before her family drew the line in the litter about keeping more.
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