Mom took a lot of pictures of me during my first play session with my Oh Boy! Cat Toy syringe. Here I was rolling it back and forth. Look! I'm a model. I think this is so cool. Not much happened today. Our house got invaded by a stranger who stayed for a long time and I didn't get much play time with Mom.Karen Jo: That was my Mother's financial adviser and the man who wrote her trust. I signed lots and lots of papers and I think I am almost through with settling the estate.
What I like to eat is taking an interesting turn. Mom was eating Hawaiian chicken and rice and I wanted some. She offered me a little piece of chicken, but I refused it. Then she dropped some rice and I ate it. I really wanted to lick up the juice from her plate when she was finished eating, but she wouldn't let me.
Karen Jo: That juice was mostly apple juice and if there is anything you don't need, it's apple juice.
I really didn't want Mom to go to work today. I meowed and meowed at her when she was getting ready to leave. When she gave me my good-bye pat I tried to catch her hand to make her stay, but, unfortunately, I scratched her instead. She knew I didn't mean it and forgave me instantly, but she still left.
Karen Jo: I have to go get green papers to keep you in food. You are eating wonderfully well and I have to keep buying more food for you. You are getting just a tiny bit pudgy in the tummy and I love it.
I have a question. Due to my success with Herman, his foster Mom recommended me to a local shelter who is looking for people to foster FIV+ cats. All his life, Herman has been an only cat, except for the six months he spent in his foster home and there he was isolated from the other cats. He growled at any cat who stopped to sniff at his door. Have any of you had experience with introducing new cats into a home with a cat who has had very little contact with other cats?
23 comments:
No, and I'd be interested to know it myself. Sherkhan has always been an only kitty... and he does not take it kindly if he smells other cats on us... making me do a double take whenever I think of adopting another cat from the local shelter...
-Reenie
We don't have any advice... Inigo wanted me as a brother SO much, he was very lonely before I came. But we know your mummy will make the right decision. You're playing more, and you don't want your mummy to leave you for work, so maybe that's a sign you need a playmate?
*RUMBLEPURR*
My human feels for your human - she went through the same thing last year with the strange financial advisor guy. Except I never met him because she had to go out of town to do all that stuff.
Not every kitty is able to be part of a foster situation. You might give it a try once to see if there is any way it would work out. But I would not be surprised if Herman decided he preferred being an only kitty. Come to think of it, both Binga and I would have liked to be only kitties. Well, that didn't work out for us.
I don't have FeLV experience, but I DO have FIV... Do not introduce ANYTHING that may stress him. Stress itself can induce a chain reaction in his body that, because of his compromised immune system, he cannot recover from. The mere stress from moving killed my Snowflake within a month. Herman's gotten very comfortable and so there's no real reason to change it up & risk him getting sick all over again.
I’m not trying to scare you, just warn you of what CAN happen. Hugs!
We're glad to hear that your having such fun. Our Mom says she would be afraid to introduce another cat right now. We agree with Lynx217.
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
Sorry, I have to agree with Lynx217and Furkidsmom, don't do it, the stress alone could mean very bad things for sweet Herman.
So glad to hear Herman is eating so well and getting a little tummy! So wonderful!
We tend to agree with Lynx217, Furkidsmom and Brian.
If you wanted to try maybe a female kitten. Cats tend to do better with members of the opposite sex. But since Herman has never been around other cats we thinks it would be very stressful for him.
You would need to keep them separated for a time and gradually introduce them to each other. Make sure Herman had somewhere he could retreat to that the other cat wasn't allowed to go.
How cool that you are a model for the syringe toy! There are lots of very cool toys on that site.
Herman, you're looking fabulous and we aren't surprised you're a model!
Our Mom has had some experience with introducing a new cat to a previously isolated cat. She said the best way is to keep the new cat in a closed room for a few days so that they can get used to each others smells and then slowly introduce them while praising the resident cat so they feel comfy
Glad to hear that you are doing so well Herman. Our Mom has to agree with Lynx217 about introducing a new cat to Herman. It just might stress him out and he is doing so well, we sure don't want that to happen.
Have a super week.
We're with the cats above who comment about caution with the idea of fostering another cat with FIV.
Herman is doing really well now after a protracted battle to get his gut working well and healed up. The gut is a big centre of stress expression in mammals and the introduction of another cat would be a stress, no matter how well it's handled. You have Herman on the up now, he'll enjoy being himself again and you are enjoying him that way again too.
On the other paw to have another cat as companion would widen Herman's world. Does the shelter have someone you could talk with about this? Herman might get on with other cats, if it's never been tested outside of isolation/foster.
Now that Hchicken in apple juice sounds interesting!
Whicky
I agree with the others about not bringing in another cat due to stress on Herman when he is just getting better from a serious setback...It took my girls a while to get used to Sukki when she came to live with us and I know it caused extra stress on everyone...Good luck...Kisses to handsome Herman...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki
Some cats react well others don't. For certain it would be a stress to both cats which can impact Herman's health. Younger cats tend to do better than older cats (esp if Herman is the older cat)--they are less of a threat. Having worked so hard to get Herman stable, I would be very cautious about bringing in a second cat.
We think a trial foster might be worth a try, but you might want to wait and let Herman stabilize for a while yet.
Mommy has always had cats in multiples, so no good advice on a singleton.
We think Herman's little pudge is great news. Take pictures!!!
oh gosh, you should read the posts from when my mommeh first brought Baby Audrey home... i downright HATED her. but after a little time i grew to love her sooooooooooo much and now she is my bestest little furrend and sis-ter. only advice is go gradually.
Mac had been an only cat foe several years when he came here. He did not have a problem integrating. He is so laid back that he seemed to welcome the company! Kirby has accepted Mac and they have even been playing together. Angel is still hisses and growls at him.
WE hate to sound like we are putting a damper on something, but with all Herman has been thorough, we hate to add any stress to his life. A new kitty could do that. Is Herman an alpha? If so I would proceed with caution. It took months and months and a few more months before Abby was able to assimilate into the house with the (then) 3 other cats. She really wanted to be an only cat. She still fights with all of the others but it's only swats and meowing. No biting or real knock downs.
We are all so glad to see Herman doing so well.
Herman, we're glad you're having fun with your syringe!!
You look very good playing with your syringe toy Herman. We is so glad to sees you are doing so well.
I not knows about giving Herman a buddy.
We don't have any advice, but we are praying for you :)
That's a hard decision, wanting to 'give back' to the community and those kitties in need.
But to hear how well Hermans doing right now, you might wait a few months and then try it. If he is too upset, you can at least say you tried...
Here's a couple of links I recommend:
http://www.operationnoblefoster.org/multicat.htm
http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/introducing/info.html
http://www.abyssinian-rescue.com/advice.htm
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