Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Bee on June 10, 2013, 16:28:39 PM
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After 4 months, a lot of grieving and some wonderful remembering of little Bass face we went to Battersea at the weekend and came home with a new family member. A very very nervous 13 wk old kitten.
He's been with us now since yesterday and we are past the first night, he is currently separated from Drum in his own room and is mostly hiding behind the sofa but he is eating and drinking (although has a touch of the kitty runs, not too worried though, it's been quite stressful for hi & we have some sensitive canins from the vet) He is very nervous and under-socialised though, he wasn't handled much but he has in the last 24 hrs batted a ping pong ball, taken some food almost from OH's hand and purred a bit. He hisses if we try to pick him up though.
Drum seems ok, suspicious and eager to get into the room but not too put out. Yet.
Just wondering if anyone has experience of bringing home a very nervous kitten and of bringing him out of himself? We really want to help the little fella feel better about being here and we know it will take a while but realistically we can't keep them apart for weeks as it's a one bed place! I must admit to being slightly confused about leave him be vs handling a young kitten. Not sure what's best?
Aaah yes, his name. Well... we thought it best to stay on theme after we named our girls Drum & Bass so we have named him Motown, but you can call him Mo :-)
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Congratulations on you new kitten.
Charlie was a nervous kitten, and is still nervous of anyone other than his mummy and daddy!
He hid a lot, behind the sofa being favourite at the time, until they discovered how to pull out the drawers under the bed.
I tend to lay down on the floor in the same room, and let them come to me, pretending to be asleep usually works for me, they feel safer, Charlie still lays on me if he thinks i'm in the land of nod, but at no other time does he do this.
Sit on the floor and read a book or something, pretend he isn't there, hard I know with so much cuteness.
Good luck.
Nicky
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Thanks Nicky, we have been doing that actually, and I have had a few slow blinks back from him so think he is coming around, he also came out today and ate in front of my OH who works from home.. but not too near him!
Did you have other cats already when you got him? Curious about when to try and introduce Drum... I don't want to freak him out more but also wonder if keeping them apart too long is detrimental too...
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Motown LOL, pleased you have now got Mo, cant advise sorry but sure there are loads on here who can ;D ;D
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OH Bee I'm so pleased for you. Little Mo will bring new highlights into your life. :)
The best thing to do is relax and let him do the exploring, your nerves will affect him so the more calm and normal you can be will make him feel more at ease.
However, I haven't met a kitten yet who can resist a game of feather onna stick, so maybe a little more play before meals will help to expend some of the kitten energy and rushing around a room helps them gain confidence in their surroundings. ;D
:opinion: is it ever too young for cooked chikkun training - in tiny teeny pieces mind. ;)
I also like to have a heatpad for their bed when they are newly separated from their litter mates as it can be a cold and lonely place away from Mum. When can li'l Mo come to bed with you?
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Aw Bless him. Great name!
He'll be fine, just keep him fed and calm and he'll be swinging from the curtains in no time ;D
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Motown- brilliant!
Has Mo got somewhere he can run and hide if he feels the need? Just an upturned cardboard box with a whole cut in the side will probably do. Or is there a cupboard or wardrobe you don't mind him taking refuge in for a few weeks till he's feeling braver?
Oh, and I can recommend a Feliway plug-in. Brilliant stuff! Animed sell the cheapest.
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Aaaah thanks guys! Just had a bit of success with some ping pong football after some behind the couch fish dangler action, he still runs if you get too close but getting there! Drum is being amazing, she's even waiting patiently outside the room now as she knows she isn't allowed in. She's such a little star :) will try post pics soon but he's a bit nervy now...
Lots of hiding places and a big laundry basket bed to bury himself in.. He's favouring behind the couch right now... I tried feliway for Drum but it didn't work, might be worth a go though....
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Ok new update, Mo ventured out to sit by the door and had a swipe at Drum under it who hissed back... Now she's obsessed by the door and won't stop staring at it! Not sure where Mo is as we stayed outside to reassure Drum.. Back behind the sofa probably.. Sigh.
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Charlie and his sister came to live with us 4 and a half years ago, Poppy is much more outgoing, I wanted another cat so we rescued Wordy, he was about a year when we brought him home, I thought Poppy would be good with him, but it was Charlie that welcomed him more.
Someone for him to play chasin with.
When we rescued Harry(RIP) last July, he was 5 months old, he was wary of us but good with the other cats, especially Charlie.
Patience and time really, I have friends who introduce kittens to their adult cats no bother, but others try and keep them separate I suppose it depends on your older cat.
She seems interested, and there will be hissing, I used a wedge to have the door open a crack so they could see each other.
Good luck, looking foward to some photos.
Nicky
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I dont know about introductions, but when we got our two as kittens, they hid under the sideboard for the first day or two. Even tho the downstairs is open plan, they didnt venture out of the living room for about a week if I remember rightly.
Good luck, and yes, photos please!!!!!
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Ok, excellent progress last night, Mo slept on the car tree all night and is still there! He came down for his food today and we had a good 20 minute stroking session... I think we will now try and introduce them tomorrow evening as they have seen each other under the door and Drum has now been away from her cat tree for two days. I think tonight we will swap them over so Drum can fo back in the front room and smell where he has been and he will come in with us then tomorrow we will try intros... :scared:
So, pictures? Ok then....
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He is very sweet and agree with what you have just said ;D ;D
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:wow: Beautiful :Luv2: He will look amazing with Drum.
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What a cutie! :Luv:
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Mo says thanks ;-)
Big swap has happened. Drum currently sniffing everything in the front room!
Mo currently scaling the clothes horse.
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He's lovely. Looks a bit like my Cleo in boy form. Does he have white roots to his fur?
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What an adorable boy :Luv2:
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Oh he is a climber then..................good luck :rofl: :rofl:
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What a little sausage..... :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: He is going to be a little rogue, I can see it in his eyes :naughty: :naughty:. Got a touch of Siamese in him I think...... ;D ;D
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Haha he is a rogue.. a right little bundle of energy, he's like a differant cat to the one we bought home!
Well, intro under way.. and so far it's not too bad, Drum is hissy when he comes too close but she's not growling or swiping and they are both in the same room. He keeps going back to her everytime she hisses him away, he's a ballsy little fella. He's currently sat in the cat tree basket and Drum is on the floor looking up at him... she's blinking lots and Mo is chirping and purring.... all in all it's a decent start we think...
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Hmm ok, Drum just made a swipe... but then Mo ran away and 30 secs later came back to her with a hiss... he is standing his ground and chirping away... I guess this is all part and parcel? We are trying not to get involved but it is hard ...I'm nervous about bedtime, do we separate them again or just hope for the best? :scared:
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sorry Louise, just saw your post! :innocent: he doesn't, no but he does have a fair bit of chocolatey brown through him...
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Exhausted but worried... :scared:
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He sounds lovely.
How have they been?
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It's not awful but Drum is less than impressed, not sure if I should seperate them for the night?
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You need to supervise them, if there is trouble you need to be there to watch how it develops so you know what triggers are there for them both. I wouldn't leave them alone until Drum has shown tolerance of the newcomer.
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Thanks Sheila, we will separate them nightly and keep Drum with us. We just had a litte accident... Moved the litter tray, :doh:
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I'm keeping a watchful eye on this thread as we'll be doing intros next week I think.
Good luck :hug:
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Well, we are keeping them apart at night, Drum is in with us for reassurance. Mo has become a right playful happy chappy, even got a hello in bed this morning! Drum still hissy and stroppy, following him everywhere watchfully but no major incidents. Off to take Mo for his second vaccination now...
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Hope Drum gets to love him :hug: :hug:
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Thought I'd update and it's all good news! Mo is very happy, there has been much less hissing, only a little when needed! Last night was the first night we didn't separate them and it went really well. Mo slept on the bed and Drum in her usual place on the wardrobe. There has been some nose touching and bum sniffing so all good signs! Obviously Drum is being the grown up to Mos kittens behaviour but she lets go every now and then for a chase about! Mo is getting very brave too!
In other news I noticed that Mos undercoat is striped like a tiger, like chocolate and black stripes, quite defined in the sunlight... Wondering if he doesn't have a little Bengal in him... :sneaky:
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Sounds very promising indeed ;D
I'm so pleased you chose little Mo - his life could have been so very different... being black, older than the usual 8 weeks most people seem to want and also being very shy/wary of people means he could have ended up growing up at the rescue like so many other kittens do :( Instead he has a wonderful loving home where he can find his confidence, two doting slaves and a beautiful big sister to chase! Makes my eyes go a bit moist! :)
I think the tabby markings are called 'ghost markings' well, that's what I call them anyway :evillaugh: He might grow out of them as Riley looked very stripy when he was a baby (he is a very dark grey, almost black) but now you can only see the rings on his tail. When it's very sunny you can notice the ones on his sides but only in direct sunlight.
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Oh we are too! We did think about it as we didn't want to put undue pressure on Drum with a difficult kitten but we didn't have to think for long, poor little chap was the last one left of his litter and we just couldn't leave him there... So glad we risked it, it seems he really just needed some proper love and attention as he's come on leaps and bounds... Literally ;D
You're probably right about his markings, they are faint... :)
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What's under the blanket?!
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Awwwww. :Luv2: Those photo's are fabulous. Mo is a wee stunner and it sounds like he's coming on in leaps and bounds. Reading through this has just made my day!
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Aaah thanks RM :)
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I'd forgotten just how gorgeous Drum is!
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...she really is isn't she ?Gosh I miss Bass too, two of the most beautiful little girls ever! I need to resurrect my blog which kind of fell to the wayside after Bass died...
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So happy everything's working out, it just needs time thats all. I'm sure that they are or will be the best of friends.... Both are little cuties...... :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
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so, Mo has followed Drum everywhere today... Wouldn't leave her side... It's love :Luv:
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How sweet!
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So glad everything is working out for the kitties and you!
Seems like you made a good decision all round ;D
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:)
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Awwww, that is sweet - and very good to hear!
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Sorry, cross posting from general chat for some help, cheers guys...
Ok guys I need some help. Its all been quite smooth sailing so far but Drum just hit Mo with claws out and Mo hissed and hit her back... bit worried. They are both purring away again now and Mo is playing with the OH, should I be worried, they've been together now for a week.... I'd hate to think either are unhappy, do I let it play out as long as it isn't a full on fight... it's is just smacking but should claws be out? I'm not sure, this is my first intro... :(
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Bee, am delighted to learn that Mo has joined you, and to read how well things are going. ;D
Dont be dismayed by the incident where Drum walloped Mo - it's just a case of setting boundaries. Kittens tend to be over exuberant, and it's natural Drum will react by "disciplining the young usurper". This should only be problematic if it becomes default behaviour.
Ross and Dickie are devoted to each other, but Ross (the oldest and the biggest) will often play a little too rough with Dickie. Dickie protests verbally, and gives as good as he gets, but if things get too hectic, he lets Ross know by deftly removing Ross's collar. I have no idea why or how, but this works, and Ross then backs off. sometimes fur has flown in between times, but they'll still be found together later, curled up on the spare bed, a tangle of limbs and tails and contented dreaming.
Just keep an eye on things generally, as you have been doing, and I suspect all will be well. :hug:
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Thanks Sue, this has really reassured me. I suspected as much and keep telling the OH not to get involved but needed to hear it was ok!
They do seem to also touch noses and be around each other a lot too so I think it's just a process... This morning Drum was on the top of the cat tower swinging her tail below where she knew Mo was so that he would try to catch it... she let him play with it for 5 mins and then walloped him when he got too over zealous!
She's such a wind up!
It seems fine, my OH over worries and then it makes me doubt myself! :doh:
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Hi Bee. I wouldn't worry about this incident as like Sue P says it's just Drum putting Mo in his place. I think in every multiple cat household it happens as in our house it starts all playful and wacky races then Blue will get over excited and whack Dotty pulling fur out which I go mad at as she is the baby of the 2. Dotty hisses when she has had enough and Blue backs off but does sometimes goes back for more but thats when I step in.....Big Mama rules....... :briggin: :briggin: :rofl: :rofl:
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Thanks Dotty:) seems to be ok, Drum even washed Mo yesterday :Luv:
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Mutual grooming - always a great sign. :Luv:
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Washing a very good sign. It's there way of saying I love you really..... I love seeing that, blue does that to dotty and her face is a picture because his tongue is very rough and she is semi longhaired, it looks like he's pulling her cheek off...... :rofl:
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:rofl: Drum and Bass used to wash each other a lot so I think it's a great sign Drum is accepting him. They are currently playing by one hiding at the bottom of the stairs and one in a box at the top and waiting it out to see which one charges the other one first.... :rofl:
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That's great. They seem very happy to me from what you have said, no need to worry anymore. I had wacky races at 4am this morning but it's the same every morning as this is the time I get up for work. I wish they could tell the time..... :rofl:' :rofl:-
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So pleased this is all working out so well :) He is a lovely little fella isn't he :Luv2: (I have a bit of soft spot for black uns :innocent: ) and Drum is indeed very beautiful :Luv2:
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Thanks Rosella, I think the fish torch has a new fan ;) I can't believe the change in him since we brought him home... He is still very nervy of new people and won't be picked up but he's so curious and loving, a real lap cat and bed hogger. Just shows what a little TLC can do :Luv2:
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Had to post this :Luv2:
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Aww she loves him. :Luv:
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Awwww, that is so sweet!
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:blow kiss:
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Yes, she definitely loves him. How sweet is that?! :wow: :Luv: :Luv:
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I know! We are super super chuffed :)
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:Luv: :Luv:
Wish that's how it was at my house sigh...