maybe getting new cat

[hilaryfrances]

:grin: someone at work is looking for a new home for her new cat!! Her toddler is tormenting the poor thing to death. I have said I will have her, (the cat not the toddler) I dont know what my current cat and dog will have to say about it.... or my hubby for that matter. Dont really care either they will all have to get used to her!! I love puddy tats.

[Dodgy Geezer]

I thought you said you were getting a new coat.

I was going to ask if you were getting a new hat as well ?.

[Tezcatlipoca]

I dont know what my current cat and dog will have to say about it...

 

I like the Freudian progression of importance here. Cat first, then dog, then husband.

 

On a more serious note, I'd say the most important consideration is likely to be your current cat, specifically its age and the length of time you've had it.

If you have a young cat, then the chances are it will be in a better position to accept another cat being around. If the cat is older, and more importantly if it's been - if you'll excuse the pun - Top Dog for a few years, it may be unwilling to share its domain.

 

The dog, by virtue you already have a cat, will be relatively easy to deal with. Plus, of course, dogs are more empathic that cats (not to mention probably cleverer) so it won't take an especially long time for the dog to understand that new cat is part of the family and behave accordingly.

 

And the husband, by virtue of his gender, will put up with the situation as you dictate it.

 

Perhaps bringing the new cat home of a trial period, or on and off for an increasing amount of time each visit over the course of a week or two, will better climatize the existing family to its presence (not to mention giving Tiddles mark II a chance to climatize to you)?

[lexis200]

I love your interpretation of the situation Tez:D

 

I would just say that with the other cat it's likely to be whether or not it is in it's character to accept a newbie rather than specifically it's age. Some cats, like humans, just like to be alone. Others are more willing to accept (or at least tolerate) invadors:)

 

My friend has a 14 year old huge tabby who has just had two kittens lumped on him. He's been an only cat for as long as he can remember and he just stays out of their way. If they get close he walks off (you can practically see him shaking his head in disbelief at the gall of them).

 

Of course he could have just as easily been a hissy spitty ball of hate when they arrived. He's obviously just a gentle old man in nature:)

[Desperate Daniella]

If you have a glass door anywhere in the house it's quite a good idea to separate them either side of it so they can see each other and get used to the idea.

 

I lost a very old cat last year and the remaining one is about 13 now. We got a six month old kitten and let them see each other through the glass. When they finally met it was quite clear who was in charge. The kitten watched her ps and qs! They have the occasional squabble but no more than cats who have lived together for years. We also have a visiting tom cat who lets himself into the house. They have the occasional squabble with him too, but generally they all get on very well. As Lexis says, it's down to the character of the individual cat.

 

One other tip I have used in the past is when the new arrival comes give them both fresh fish - most cats love fish! - unfortunately my budget doesn't stretch to this on a regular basis, but frozen fillets will do. This means the new arrival brings something good with him or her.

 

DD

[hilaryfrances]

Thank you for your tips, I have only had current cat for a year, I got him from the RSPCA so I have no idea how old he is, he is as soft as putty but he does seem to team up with other cats in the nieghbourhood so I guess he will not take a lot of convincing he needs a new friend.

 

The dog like the hubby does as it is told

[Tezcatlipoca]

The dog like the hubby does as it is told

 

You have a dog-like hubby? And you refer to this creature as "it"?

 

I suspect you have an interesting home life...

[Desperate Daniella]

[lexis200]

I

One other tip I have used in the past is when the new arrival comes give them both fresh fish - most cats love fish! - unfortunately my budget doesn't stretch to this on a regular basis, but frozen fillets will do. This means the new arrival brings something good with him or her.

 

DD

Have you ever tried raw food? If you can get over the idea of feeding them raw meat it really is great.

 

I was put onto it (well my kitten was, not me:D) by my sister who has been using it for years for her menagerie. It's a completely natural diet as it's exactly what they'd have in the wild, and they love it. As a bonus for us it's made our kitten's coat really shiny and soft. It's just like mince but with bone and offal left in from whatever animal it happens to come from, so that it's just like if they were eating something they'd killed.

 

The best bit though is that it's cheap as chips! A 400gm pack of it (which lasts my kitten about 3 days) costs about 55p!

 

Ideal food at bargain basement prices - you can't beat that:D

[Spamalot]

I'm looking for a new home... my owner keeps trying to shoot me every time I come through the window.

[lexis200]

spam

 

I had to come in through the window today as I locked myself out:D

 

Our house looks out onto a main road, and I had to climb through the kitchen window at the front of the house by tipping a wheelie bin over to give me the extra height (not one of the people/cars passing thought this was a little odd!), then clambering over the split pane window. It was a little further down than I anticipated and I think I've broken my, ahem, self in the process.

 

OH just laughed till he snorted when I told him the pain I was in:)

[SOD'EM]

Who said dogs were cleverer than cats?

 

LiveLeak.com - Moscow Cat Theatre

[hilaryfrances]

New cat going to vets tonight for her jabs, the vet is just around the corner from me so I am going to ask current owner to pop in with her to see what my cat thinks, I cant take new cat, named Cissy, until Monday.

 

Fingers crossed there will not be too much fur flying, my puds, Jake is a big softy, I dont want Cissy to knock him about, I am assured she is as soft though

[hilaryfrances]

well trial run went fine, my Jakey defended his teritory by hiding in a corner! What a coward, Cissy (soon to be christened Chrissy) sat on my knee having a cuddle. No hissing, no scratching, just sat on my knee looking very puzzzled

 

Will be able to adopt officially on Monday

[maroondevo52]

I love threads like this, good stuff

[hilaryfrances]

Tonights the night!!

[labrat]

get one like this, nice and quiet

 

http://static-p4.fotolia.com/jpg/00/15/70/65/110_F_15706518_cfKCA5jmvVioCNmbqhcnTjZyDXsISf1u.jpg

 

sorry cant img it its a stock photo website

[hilaryfrances]

OK I will have that one as well!

[Spamalot]

Tonights the night!!

 

I'm almost as excited as you are.... I hope you're going to upload photies:D

I have 2 cats.. getting on a bit now.. 14 yrs old the pair of them, they always look after each other,and they're a right couple of old biddies

[mazbck]

We have 4 cats, the youngest 2 just coming up to a year old and would be without them now, even though they can be a pain at times, like climbing up your leg for attention when you are wearing thin trousers or shorts!!!! OUCH!!

 

Hope the latest arrival settles in well, and enjoy all the ensuing chaos and fun!!

[hilaryfrances]

Well she is here, hiding under a cupboard at the moment, I am sure she will be fine once she gets over being so "shy". She has not met the dog yet,I will leave that until she gets a bit more couragous. the cat, Jake stalked off in disgust but he will be back when he is hungry.

[hilaryfrances]

She is still very shy, but at least she has eaten and used the litter tray, Jake and Meg just ignored her last night, and as Jake is still top cat I think he has forgiven me!

[Desperate Daniella]

I am sure she will be fine. If only all cats could find a second loving home so easily. She was very lucky.

 

DDxx

[hilaryfrances]

I love animals as long as they are softys and she is as soft as butter, even though she was scared out of her wits, her claws remained in her paws. No sign of bad temper

[hilaryfrances]

:DWe actually got a purr from her this morning, she is still very frightened, I feel so sorry for her, I only hope she does not expect tins of tuna and fish from fish shop once she has settled! I could not find her anywhere when I was going to work, eventually found her at the back of the airing cupboard. Ho Hum I hope she likes dust