Newt’s young’un picture! He was so slender. Does Maxi still tolerate her, um, kitten?
(My favorite Newt picture, just because.)
I actually updated the compatibility chart, FINALLY, and had to ask Fred’s opinion on how Maxi feels about Newt. He said he thinks she LURVES him, because she runs over to rub against him when she sees him come outside. So she still loves her little boy, at least until he annoys her, and then she smacks him. He’s never too old for a smack!
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I’ve heartily enjoyed lurking for about two years now. Today I found myself in a bit of a pickle, and I was hoping I could get some input from you and/or the lovely Love&Hisses community on the feasibility of my plan.
My amazing 11-year-old intact traditional Persian male, Darwin, lives with my parents because I seem to be allergic to him. He is highly active when he wants to be – he often scales the outside walls of our small summer home to peek in on whoever’s working on the upper floors – but seems really bored of having the same old people around. On the other hand, he is an attention hog, displaying jealousy both of his girlfriends over us, and of us over his girlfriends, when they’ve visited. Many people have recommended getting a kitten to keep him company without threatening his current position as High Lord of Everything.
I was recently asked to foster Grey, a neutered, timid 7yo silver tabby, who does not seem to trigger my allergies. Four days after he arrived, he’s a confident, cuddly lovebug, but he prefers to play without my help, and he seems absolutely desperate to greet and cuddle with the stray cats that sometimes perch on my windowsill. He runs trilling to them and rubs the window lovingly whenever they’re here. The organization I got Grey from fear that the strays may be infected with feline herpes, and that Grey might shoot out of any open window and get lost, so I can’t let them play together.
1. I’m guessing I’m actually allergic to the FrontLine-like substance we treat Darwin with, rather than Darwin himself.
2. Is it feasible to attempt to bring these two together at my place, which smells more of Grey than it does of Darwin right now? Can males turn from strangers to buddies? Any tips for accommodating elderly males in particular?
Any and all opinions are welcome and greatly appreciated!
P.S. I’m unsure about neutering Darwin, partly because of potential complications due to his age, and partly because I have yet to find a vet around here I’d trust with performing the operation.
P.P.S. It says on Grey’s passport he’s a Siberian, but his coat is too short and he was found on the streets, so I don’t think that’s likely.
P.P.P.S. Yes, I am falling into the trap of wanting to adopt my foster cat.
I think they certainly can become friends or they might hate each other – it sounds like Grey desperately needs a friend, so I say go for it.
If you do decide to give it a try, I would suggest you take it very very slow. Don’t throw them together – confine one of them to a room for at least several days, let them sniff at each other under the door, feed them on either side of the door, then room-swap. The tips on this page are pretty much what I would suggest. I can’t think of any specific tips for elderly cats, just follow the tips on that page, take it slowww, and let us know how it went!
I will say that until you know for sure that it’s the Frontline you’re allergic to, I’d wait. There’s no point in introducing them and making them friends if Darwin can’t stay with you. Unless you’re planning to home both of them at your parents’ house? Maybe I need clarification on this.
You guys, please chime in!
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I’m going to tell my husband about Crooked Acres when I make my pitch for us to adopt my one remaining foster kitten. Yes, I kept one from the first litter. No, I’m not going to keep doing this with fosters. But my little girl was just so scared at her adoption event, and just so happy and relieved to come home. Anyway, this would just bring us to six permanent residents.
I am happy to be the one y’all point to and say “But Robyn and Fred have ELEVEN cats and they’re fine.” I have used the “So-and-so have FOURTEEN cats and they’re fine!” It didn’t work for me (this was several years ago), but hopefully it’ll work for you. Good luck!
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Frankie and Dennis on the bed at the same time! Okay, it’s POSSIBLE Fred put Frankie in that bed, but still. He stayed there!
Frankie discovered this bed (which has a heated pad on it) and decided it was a swell place to snooze for a bit.
That FACE.
Frankie seems to be doing well – he’s more alert and moving around than he has been, and he’s been eating fairly well. It seems like he’s been screaming less, and pilling him is a little easier for Fred than it has been.
I FINALLY finished the foster room (which I repainted the exact same color), got everything hung back up and the room vacuuming and rearranged, and so Frankie got to spend last night in the foster room instead of in the upstairs bathroom. We wondered how he’d deal with it, and as it turned out – he dealt with it just fine. He looked out the window for a while, tried the four different beds, and settled in on the Fancy Sofa.
He’s been getting the run of the house during the day and it’s going well. I figure we’ll give him a few more private overnight stays in the foster room, and then leave him out overnight and see how it goes.
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Archie, unimpressed.
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Previously
2016: “You gonna come in here and serve up those snacks, lady?”
2015: “Okay, lady. Time for the belly rubbing!”
2014: “They have really pretty kittens in there,” thinks Dennis.
2013: No entry.
2012: Alice Mo approves of Everett’s form.
2011: Okay, so, the story on Reacher.
2010: Oh, M’Lynn. Break my heart, why don’t you?
2009: Miz Poo will put up with the kittens as long as they don’t get TOO much in her space.
2008: No entry.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.