Another cat introduction thread!

  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #61

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
I'm not terribly worried about the interaction with Bastian and Orion either. My husband is probably more nervous after it but he hasn't been spending hours watching cat interactions and learning about cat behavior like I have so he's just a bit more iffy with any interactions that aren't calm and completely positive. But they were both pretty calm afterwards. As usual I expect Bastian was trying to play and Orion was just "naw, dude." They probably would have been fine if we had distracted Bastian and left Orion out but we were trying to eat dinner and couldn't supervise as closely so separating it was.

I also think the same strategy as has been helping as far as him biting me less may apply in this situation. He's generally looking for attention/play so removing that he learns that biting (or jumping on another cat) ends up being no fun. You pounce on brother, brother goes away. You bite mommy, mommy goes away.

Last night Orion was I think playing with him under the door. I'm not 100% sure it was play cause he was hissing at Bastian when Bastian would bat at him, but he was staying there and swatting back and his body language didn't seem aggressive or defensive. It also didn't go on for long.

Tonight my husband brought Bastian to visit me on the couch for a couple minutes. Splenda was on my lap, he was holding Bastian and sat next to me. As usual Splenda ignored him. He sniffed her a little bit was fine. Annnnnddddd! Caspian was laying down in the same room and ignored Bastian. This was great cause he usually approaches and supervises what Bastian is doing so this is a great improvement. Orion was elsewhere in the house. My husband brought him back to his room when he got wiggly.

Honestly he gets wiggly cause he's just not a being held for long kind of cat. He wasn't trying to go after any of the other cats he most likely just wanted to find a window to look out of instead.

Earlier today I was handing out with him in his room and he was being SO CUTE leaning his head on my leg all snuggled up to me. Till he turned his head and bit my leg 🙄 he hasn't done that in a while. It wasn't very hard and I think it was more a love bite than anything but I removed myself from the room and the poor guy was meowing at me like "come back!" I felt bad but it seems to really be making a difference when I remove myself after a bite so I'm just gonna keep doing it and at this point he at least doesn't bite and scratch and draw blood and I can respond more calmly.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
I'm not terribly worried about the interaction with Bastian and Orion either. My husband is probably more nervous after it but he hasn't been spending hours watching cat interactions and learning about cat behavior like I have so he's just a bit more iffy with any interactions that aren't calm and completely positive. But they were both pretty calm afterwards. As usual I expect Bastian was trying to play and Orion was just "naw, dude." They probably would have been fine if we had distracted Bastian and left Orion out but we were trying to eat dinner and couldn't supervise as closely so separating it was.

I also think the same strategy as has been helping as far as him biting me less may apply in this situation. He's generally looking for attention/play so removing that he learns that biting (or jumping on another cat) ends up being no fun. You pounce on brother, brother goes away. You bite mommy, mommy goes away.

Last night Orion was I think playing with him under the door. I'm not 100% sure it was play cause he was hissing at Bastian when Bastian would bat at him, but he was staying there and swatting back and his body language didn't seem aggressive or defensive. It also didn't go on for long.

Tonight my husband brought Bastian to visit me on the couch for a couple minutes. Splenda was on my lap, he was holding Bastian and sat next to me. As usual Splenda ignored him. He sniffed her a little bit was fine. Annnnnddddd! Caspian was laying down in the same room and ignored Bastian. This was great cause he usually approaches and supervises what Bastian is doing so this is a great improvement. Orion was elsewhere in the house. My husband brought him back to his room when he got wiggly.

Honestly he gets wiggly cause he's just not a being held for long kind of cat. He wasn't trying to go after any of the other cats he most likely just wanted to find a window to look out of instead.

Earlier today I was handing out with him in his room and he was being SO CUTE leaning his head on my leg all snuggled up to me. Till he turned his head and bit my leg 🙄 he hasn't done that in a while. It wasn't very hard and I think it was more a love bite than anything but I removed myself from the room and the poor guy was meowing at me like "come back!" I felt bad but it seems to really be making a difference when I remove myself after a bite so I'm just gonna keep doing it and at this point he at least doesn't bite and scratch and draw blood and I can respond more calmly.
"I'm not terribly worried about the interaction with Bastian and Orion either." - Great, agreed

" My husband is probably more nervous after it but he hasn't been spending hours watching cat interactions and learning about cat behavior like I have so he's just a bit more iffy with any interactions that aren't calm and completely positive." - Yes, agreed. It is hard for people without experience to understand the nuance. BUT he is doing great.

" But they were both pretty calm afterwards." - THAT is the key and tells us about the encounter and what they really thought of it.

" As usual I expect Bastian was trying to play and Orion was just "naw, dude." " - Agreed. Bastian doesn't seem mean AND often the new cat wants to play with his new siblings while the resident cat is still a bit cautious.

"They probably would have been fine if we had distracted Bastian and left Orion out but we were trying to eat dinner and couldn't supervise as closely so separating it was." - It is fine, you did well.

"I also think the same strategy as has been helping as far as him biting me less may apply in this situation. He's generally looking for attention/play so removing that he learns that biting (or jumping on another cat) ends up being no fun. You pounce on brother, brother goes away. You bite mommy, mommy goes away." - Agreed

"Last night Orion was I think playing with him under the door. I'm not 100% sure it was play cause he was hissing at Bastian when Bastian would bat at him, but he was staying there and swatting back and his body language didn't seem aggressive or defensive. It also didn't go on for long." - Ok, and how did they act after? Like it wasn't a big deal?

"Tonight my husband brought Bastian to visit me on the couch for a couple minutes. Splenda was on my lap, he was holding Bastian and sat next to me. As usual Splenda ignored him. He sniffed her a little bit was fine. " - Perfect

"Annnnnddddd! Caspian was laying down in the same room and ignored Bastian." - GREAT!!!! Caspian is the key I believe. That is great and what we want to see.

" This was great cause he usually approaches and supervises what Bastian is doing so this is a great improvement. " - Agreed a sign of some acceptance.

"Orion was elsewhere in the house. " - Great

"My husband brought him back to his room when he got wiggly." - Yep

"Honestly he gets wiggly cause he's just not a being held for long kind of cat. He wasn't trying to go after any of the other cats he most likely just wanted to find a window to look out of instead." - Agreed. Cats typically want to do things on their terms, not ours.

"Earlier today I was handing out with him in his room and he was being SO CUTE leaning his head on my leg all snuggled up to me." - Awwwwwww

" Till he turned his head and bit my leg 🙄 he hasn't done that in a while." - Yes, one of my ferals will do that. Love bite.

" It wasn't very hard and I think it was more a love bite than anything" - Ahhhh, yep, agreed

" but I removed myself from the room and the poor guy was meowing at me like "come back!" I felt bad but it seems to really be making a difference when I remove myself after a bite so I'm just gonna keep doing it and at this point he at least doesn't bite and scratch and draw blood and I can respond more calmly. " - That is good. We want the cat to know that it is something not acceptable. I tend to act emotional, sad, etc and the cats realize that and stop. Other do what you do. Whatever works is the right thing.

Well, that sounds like a great update!!! Keep up the great work!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #63

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
Not a ton to update with but slow progress! Yesterday I took Bastian out to snuggle with me on the couch and he actually settled down leaning on my leg for maybe a good ten minutes and just relaxed. The other cats ignored him mostly other than Caspian looking at him from across the room at one point but most of the time the other two boys were just laying on the floor doing their thing.

Today my husband decided to have the second door open during their lunch. I was nervous because Bastian eats the fastest and I knew he was going to go for the other cats food he can't have. He did go towards Caspians bowl bit was OK being blocked from it and didn't really try again. He actually went and sniffed Caspians tail while Caspian was eating and Cas totally ignored him so that was great! Then Bastian walked around downstairs a little and looked out the windows I opened for him in the kitchen. It was only a few minutes then my husband put him back in his room. Overall it was good! Ignoring is perfect.

I wish we were more consistent with giving them "supervised visitation" I think they're going to do pretty well once we can commit more time to that. It's hard with my husband's schedule and I much prefer doing it when we're both home so there's more eyes on the cats to see who is where.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Not a ton to update with but slow progress! Yesterday I took Bastian out to snuggle with me on the couch and he actually settled down leaning on my leg for maybe a good ten minutes and just relaxed. The other cats ignored him mostly other than Caspian looking at him from across the room at one point but most of the time the other two boys were just laying on the floor doing their thing.

Today my husband decided to have the second door open during their lunch. I was nervous because Bastian eats the fastest and I knew he was going to go for the other cats food he can't have. He did go towards Caspians bowl bit was OK being blocked from it and didn't really try again. He actually went and sniffed Caspians tail while Caspian was eating and Cas totally ignored him so that was great! Then Bastian walked around downstairs a little and looked out the windows I opened for him in the kitchen. It was only a few minutes then my husband put him back in his room. Overall it was good! Ignoring is perfect.

I wish we were more consistent with giving them "supervised visitation" I think they're going to do pretty well once we can commit more time to that. It's hard with my husband's schedule and I much prefer doing it when we're both home so there's more eyes on the cats to see who is where.
"Not a ton to update with but slow progress!" - Ok, progress is great at any speed. Let's take a look.

" Yesterday I took Bastian out to snuggle with me on the couch and he actually settled down leaning on my leg for maybe a good ten minutes and just relaxed." - Great

" The other cats ignored him mostly" - PERFECT!!!

" other than Caspian looking at him from across the room at one point" - That is not a big deal. As long as it is positive it is good.

" but most of the time the other two boys were just laying on the floor doing their thing." - PERFECT, EXACTLY what we want to achieve.

"Today my husband decided to have the second door open during their lunch." - Ok

" I was nervous because Bastian eats the fastest and I knew he was going to go for the other cats food he can't have." - Yes BUT try to keep your emotions positive as cats take on our emotions. If we believe it is not a big deal often they will as well.

"He did go towards Caspians bowl" - Ok, expected

" bit was OK being blocked from it and didn't really try again." - GREAT!!! VERY positive.

" He actually went and sniffed Caspians tail while Caspian was eating" - Awwwwwwwww

" and Cas totally ignored him so that was great!" - Perfect

" Then Bastian walked around downstairs a little and looked out the windows I opened for him in the kitchen. It was only a few minutes then my husband put him back in his room. Overall it was good!" - FANTASTIC!!! Exactly what we want. GREAT job!!!

"Ignoring is perfect." - EXACTLY!!!! :)

"I wish we were more consistent with giving them "supervised visitation" I think they're going to do pretty well once we can commit more time to that. It's hard with my husband's schedule and I much prefer doing it when we're both home so there's more eyes on the cats to see who is where. " - Yes BUT you are doing great. Just do your best, keep doing what you are doing. I think it is going absolutely great!!!

Keep up the great work, fantastic update!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #65

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
Another good day! Bastian was able to come sit on the couch with us twice. The first time he got antsy fairly quickly but the second time he snuggled with my husband for a good while, 30ish minutes? Maybe more. With Orion over on my foot rest the whole time. Then at dinner time I put Bastians wet food in the doorway so they could eat together and they did no problems :)

PXL_20211101_034322000.jpg
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Another good day! Bastian was able to come sit on the couch with us twice. The first time he got antsy fairly quickly but the second time he snuggled with my husband for a good while, 30ish minutes? Maybe more. With Orion over on my foot rest the whole time. Then at dinner time I put Bastians wet food in the doorway so they could eat together and they did no problems :)

View attachment 400246
:yess: :hyper: :clap2:

Look at that pic!!!!! PERFECT!!!! :)

My goodness are they GORGEOUS!!!

"Another good day! Bastian was able to come sit on the couch with us twice." - Great

" The first time he got antsy fairly quickly" - Understandable

" but the second time he snuggled with my husband for a good while, 30ish minutes? Maybe more." - FANTASTIC!!!

" With Orion over on my foot rest the whole time. " - :)

"Then at dinner time I put Bastians wet food in the doorway so they could eat together and they did no problems :) " - I am guessing that is the pic!! What can I say? PERFECTION!!!

GREAT JOB!!!! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #67

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
Well we managed to make it a point to give them face to face time today. Even though we didn't necessarily want to spend our evening supervising cats we know we have to invest the time if we want them to be all together. At first Bastian wanted to hang out upstairs and the others stayed downstairs. Caspian explored Bastians room a little. When Bastian came back downstairs Splenda hid behind the couch but I think that's as much because my husband was following behind Bastian as anything. Bastian looked at Orion on the couch and at once point my husband did block him from jumping up since he looked like he was thinking of pouncing on Orion. He and Caspian looked at each other right next to each other and that went OK. Bastian was raising his paw just barely off the ground but it didn't go anywhere, we distracted them both briefly and then I grabbed a toy and got Bastian playing. For a short time I was playing with Bastian in a tunnel while petting Caspian as he watched Bastian play. It was quite a nice moment and I intended to put Bastian back in his room when he came out of the tunnel since it had been about 20 minutes. Unfortunately he left the tunnel and went straight to staring at Caspian and jumped on him. Definitely some fur flying :/ but they were broken up fairly quickly and didn't jump back on each other. My husband put Bastian back in his room and kept him company for a few minutes. It took not even 2 minutes for Caspian to come up to me at Bastians gate and purr while I pet him. And Bastian ended up right on the other side of the gate and it was just fine. So as much as I don't like the fur flying ESPECIALLY when it's old man Caspian, at least it calmed down quickly. I think we need to make a point to keep having more time with them together so Bastian can get the hint that Caspian doesn't want to be jumped on. I do like how quickly Caspian was able to calm down but I don't think that would have been the case if Bastian has stayed out.

I am hopeful that we will be able to start trying treats with Bastian again soon. His poo has finally started to show improvement, though it's still on the soft side it's more formed. This despite him getting into things he shouldn't have gotten a couple times a few days ago (once he managed to get into a bag of treats we now have behind a door and another time I forgot there was an open can of food on the counter and he got into it.) It's only been a couple days starting to look more formed but I'm choosing to be hopeful that it will continue to improve. Once we have a more healthy consistency for at least a few days we can try out the occasional treat again which will likely help with the supervised visitation since I know both he and Caspian are highly treat motivated.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Well we managed to make it a point to give them face to face time today. Even though we didn't necessarily want to spend our evening supervising cats we know we have to invest the time if we want them to be all together. At first Bastian wanted to hang out upstairs and the others stayed downstairs. Caspian explored Bastians room a little. When Bastian came back downstairs Splenda hid behind the couch but I think that's as much because my husband was following behind Bastian as anything. Bastian looked at Orion on the couch and at once point my husband did block him from jumping up since he looked like he was thinking of pouncing on Orion. He and Caspian looked at each other right next to each other and that went OK. Bastian was raising his paw just barely off the ground but it didn't go anywhere, we distracted them both briefly and then I grabbed a toy and got Bastian playing. For a short time I was playing with Bastian in a tunnel while petting Caspian as he watched Bastian play. It was quite a nice moment and I intended to put Bastian back in his room when he came out of the tunnel since it had been about 20 minutes. Unfortunately he left the tunnel and went straight to staring at Caspian and jumped on him. Definitely some fur flying :/ but they were broken up fairly quickly and didn't jump back on each other. My husband put Bastian back in his room and kept him company for a few minutes. It took not even 2 minutes for Caspian to come up to me at Bastians gate and purr while I pet him. And Bastian ended up right on the other side of the gate and it was just fine. So as much as I don't like the fur flying ESPECIALLY when it's old man Caspian, at least it calmed down quickly. I think we need to make a point to keep having more time with them together so Bastian can get the hint that Caspian doesn't want to be jumped on. I do like how quickly Caspian was able to calm down but I don't think that would have been the case if Bastian has stayed out.

I am hopeful that we will be able to start trying treats with Bastian again soon. His poo has finally started to show improvement, though it's still on the soft side it's more formed. This despite him getting into things he shouldn't have gotten a couple times a few days ago (once he managed to get into a bag of treats we now have behind a door and another time I forgot there was an open can of food on the counter and he got into it.) It's only been a couple days starting to look more formed but I'm choosing to be hopeful that it will continue to improve. Once we have a more healthy consistency for at least a few days we can try out the occasional treat again which will likely help with the supervised visitation since I know both he and Caspian are highly treat motivated.
"Well we managed to make it a point to give them face to face time today." - Great. Though I get a feeling something wasn't great. :/

" Even though we didn't necessarily want to spend our evening supervising cats we know we have to invest the time if we want them to be all together." - Ok. Well, if you really aren't feeling it (feeling stressed, etc) then sometimes it is best to just do it when the timing is better since cats do pick up on our emotions.

"At first Bastian wanted to hang out upstairs and the others stayed downstairs." - Ok, that is fine

"Caspian explored Bastians room a little." - Great

" When Bastian came back downstairs Splenda hid behind the couch but I think that's as much because my husband was following behind Bastian as anything." - Ok, that isn't a big deal. Splenda actually likes and accepts Bastian from their history.

" Bastian looked at Orion on the couch and at once point my husband did block him from jumping up since he looked like he was thinking of pouncing on Orion." - Ok, good as long as it didn't escalate into something. Could it be Bastian just wanted to be on the couch?

"He and Caspian looked at each other right next to each other and that went OK." - Great, so far so good.

" Bastian was raising his paw just barely off the ground but it didn't go anywhere," - Great. SO there was some tension and it was diffused. Avoiding a negative is positive.

" we distracted them both briefly" - Great

" and then I grabbed a toy and got Bastian playing. For a short time I was playing with Bastian in a tunnel while petting Caspian as he watched Bastian play. It was quite a nice moment and I intended to put Bastian back in his room when he came out of the tunnel since it had been about 20 minutes." - Perfect!!!

" Unfortunately he left the tunnel and went straight to staring at Caspian and jumped on him." - Ok, he was in play/hunting mode so that can happen.

" Definitely some fur flying :/ but they were broken up fairly quickly and didn't jump back on each other." - GREAT!!! So it resolved itself. I am pretty sure Bastian was just amped up from the play and probably wanted to play with Caspian.

" My husband put Bastian back in his room and kept him company for a few minutes." - Great. How did he get him back in? Did he lead him?

"It took not even 2 minutes for Caspian to come up to me at Bastians gate and purr while I pet him." - GREAT!!! FAST rebound!!! Yep, Caspian is telling us it wasn't a big deal. GREAT!!!

" And Bastian ended up right on the other side of the gate and it was just fine." - GREAT!!! Tells me it was all play, not aggression.

" So as much as I don't like the fur flying ESPECIALLY when it's old man Caspian," - Yes agreed BUT I don't think it was due to aggression, etc.

" at least it calmed down quickly." - Exactly and their rebound was fast telling us that in their eyes it wasn't aggression, serious, existential, etc.

" I think we need to make a point to keep having more time with them together so Bastian can get the hint that Caspian doesn't want to be jumped on." - Yes. But Bastian is just being a playful social cat and I think he sees Caspian as a playmate.

" I do like how quickly Caspian was able to calm down" - EXACTLY!!! That tells me Caspian didn't think it was something with negative intentions.

" but I don't think that would have been the case if Bastian has stayed out." - Ok, maybe.

"I am hopeful that we will be able to start trying treats with Bastian again soon." - Ok, no need to rush since he is doing really well without them.

" His poo has finally started to show improvement, though it's still on the soft side it's more formed." - Great, progress

" This despite him getting into things he shouldn't have gotten a couple times a few days ago (once he managed to get into a bag of treats we now have behind a door and another time I forgot there was an open can of food on the counter and he got into it.) " - Oh my, mischievous.

"It's only been a couple days starting to look more formed but I'm choosing to be hopeful that it will continue to improve." - Sounds positive.

"Once we have a more healthy consistency for at least a few days we can try out the occasional treat again which will likely help with the supervised visitation since I know both he and Caspian are highly treat motivated. " - Yes but just take it slow. Bastian has been doing great and if you can just hang out with them, keep Bastian occupied, play with him, etc that might be the safest route (safest on the tummy).

I had a feeling from your first line things did not go well. BUT I would say it went very well. I didn't see it so maybe I am not seeing the whole picture but how they rebounded tells me that they didn't view it as an issue and really that is what matters.

So overall I am not at all phased and in fact am more positive as they were tested and passed with flying colors.

Keep up the great work and try to enjoy the supervision and not stress or be too focused on it. Kinda just let the love you feel for them to come out to them. :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #69

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
Nothing particularly bad to report. Some good, as usual! Yesterday my husband brought Bastian out for some couch snuggles and we got nearly ten minutes of family time with everyone relaxed and hanging out on the couch!
PXL_20211104_004938962.jpg


Today he wanted to explore and my husband let him for a few minutes which went mostly well though he jumped on Splenda. She was walking away from him (calmly, not running or slinking) and he just walked up behind her and jumped. My husband got the cardboard between them right away AND I didn't notice any flying fur. Splenda ran and hid behind the couch. My husband picked Bastian up but pit him back down, right near Orion even, and he just walked back to his room and got interested in the windows so we closed the door behind him. Splenda only took a few minutes to get over it. So of anything Bastian just learned again that Splenda isn't interested in playing like that.

Clearly none of the older cats is scared by Bastian since they all just hang out no problem on the couch with him and today Caspian jumped up on the couch to snuggle with me while Bastian was in my husband's lap next to me. Hopefully the next few days we'll get more supervised visits in for him to continue to learn to leave the old kitties alone.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Nothing particularly bad to report. Some good, as usual! Yesterday my husband brought Bastian out for some couch snuggles and we got nearly ten minutes of family time with everyone relaxed and hanging out on the couch!
View attachment 400672

Today he wanted to explore and my husband let him for a few minutes which went mostly well though he jumped on Splenda. She was walking away from him (calmly, not running or slinking) and he just walked up behind her and jumped. My husband got the cardboard between them right away AND I didn't notice any flying fur. Splenda ran and hid behind the couch. My husband picked Bastian up but pit him back down, right near Orion even, and he just walked back to his room and got interested in the windows so we closed the door behind him. Splenda only took a few minutes to get over it. So of anything Bastian just learned again that Splenda isn't interested in playing like that.

Clearly none of the older cats is scared by Bastian since they all just hang out no problem on the couch with him and today Caspian jumped up on the couch to snuggle with me while Bastian was in my husband's lap next to me. Hopefully the next few days we'll get more supervised visits in for him to continue to learn to leave the old kitties alone.
Well THAT is an AMAZING AND WONDERFUL picture!!!

"Nothing particularly bad to report. Some good, as usual!" - Ok, let's see. Seeing the picture makes me wonder what happened. Hmmmmmmm. The cats looks FANTASTIC in the pic.

" Yesterday my husband brought Bastian out for some couch snuggles and we got nearly ten minutes of family time with everyone relaxed and hanging out on the couch!" - Is that the picture? AMAZING!!! Fantastic. Positive association, positive encounter.

"Today he wanted to explore and my husband let him for a few minutes which went mostly well" - GREAT!!!

"though he jumped on Splenda." - Ok, I am guessing play but let's see.

"She was walking away from him (calmly, not running or slinking) and he just walked up behind her and jumped." - Ahhhh, ok. I would have had to see it but did it seem like play? Bastian seems to really like Splenda and vice versa. How did they act after?

" My husband got the cardboard between them right away AND I didn't notice any flying fur." - Ok good

" Splenda ran and hid behind the couch." - Expected.

"My husband picked Bastian up but pit him back down," - Great

" right near Orion even," - Wow. Unknowingly?

"and he just walked back to his room and got interested in the windows so we closed the door behind him. " - Well, THAT is AMAZING!!! Yep, he wanted to play with Splenda. And it sounds like he and Orion didn't get into it which is also AMAZING!!

"Splenda only took a few minutes to get over it." - :yess: :hyper: :clap2: So Splenda is telling us she is ok and thought it was play. Fantastic!!

" So of anything Bastian just learned again that Splenda isn't interested in playing like that." - Well, maybe he did and maybe he didn't BUT Splenda knows he is not a real threat and only wants to play which is the key.

"Clearly none of the older cats is scared by Bastian since they all just hang out no problem on the couch with him" - Exactly and not only not afraid but accepting him. :)

" and today Caspian jumped up on the couch to snuggle with me while Bastian was in my husband's lap next to me. " - WOW!! And if there was no attack, etc it is perfect!!!

Sounds like there is a lot of trust and acceptance already. Fantastic!!

"Hopefully the next few days we'll get more supervised visits in for him to continue to learn to leave the old kitties alone. " - Great BUT he is a young playful cat that seems to love his new family so........................................

BUT it sounds like they will work it out. You and your husband are doing such an amazing job!! REALLY WELL DONE!!!

Keep up the great work!!! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #71

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
We took a couple days off of fave to face time cause Caspian wasn't feeling too great. Sneezing, keeping more to himself, and refusing his kibble (still ate his wet food fine though.) I didn't want to add any stress to him so we kept them pretty separate. But he was back to his normal self yesterday so back at it! Started with just lunch time together today and it went PERFECT! Bastian ate right next to Caspian and though he looked towards Caspians food when he finished his he just walked right back into his room. No issues!

PXL_20211106_234540366.jpg
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
We took a couple days off of fave to face time cause Caspian wasn't feeling too great. Sneezing, keeping more to himself, and refusing his kibble (still ate his wet food fine though.) I didn't want to add any stress to him so we kept them pretty separate. But he was back to his normal self yesterday so back at it! Started with just lunch time together today and it went PERFECT! Bastian ate right next to Caspian and though he looked towards Caspians food when he finished his he just walked right back into his room. No issues!

View attachment 400811
I can see the pic. WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA YES!!!!

"We took a couple days off of fave to face time cause Caspian wasn't feeling too great. Sneezing, keeping more to himself, and refusing his kibble (still ate his wet food fine though.)" - :/ Poor guy

" I didn't want to add any stress to him so we kept them pretty separate." - Good job

" But he was back to his normal self yesterday so back at it! " - Great

"Started with just lunch time together today and it went PERFECT! Bastian ate right next to Caspian and though he looked towards Caspians food when he finished his he just walked right back into his room. No issues!" - AMAZING he respected Caspian's food. :)

FANTASTIC!!!

I saw the pic and smiled before I even read the message.

What can I say GREAT JOB!!! Keep it up!!! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #73

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
I saw the pic and smiled before I even read the message.
Yes it was SUPER cute! My husband was like, it wasn't really intentional just accidental positioning and Bastian didn't seem too happy about it (his back was a little twitchy) but they both tolerated it just fine! All togetherness without issues is a win, even accidental 🤣

Not much different today! Did much together again. This time instead of going back in his room when his bowl was empty I had to block him from going for Caspians bowl. Then he walked further put the door towards the stairs and sat there for a few seconds before running on upstairs. I had chores to do so I couldn't supervise gave to face so I just moved the other cats bowls into his room and swapped them until dinner time.
PXL_20211110_010052907.jpg


Bastian was extra snuggly and super cute but also a bit bitey. First fairly big bite in a while. He walked up to me when I was laying down, head bumped my hand super sweetly, looked for a second at my braid and/or the tie on my sweatshirt (both things he likes to think are toys) then turned and bit my wrist! No blood but he did. Not. Let. Go. I walked across the whole room carrying him while he just held right on to my wrist with his teeth and almost couldn't remove him from my wrist even with gently pushing into the bite. I did finally get him off though and put him down and shut myself in the room without him. He ran right back in when I opened the door later and was right back to just being sweet and continued the super adorableness with my husband when he got home.

In more positive news I've expanded his clicker training to using a stick to indicate where I want him to go and was able to use it to get him off the kitchen counter. He then proceeded to harass us for our dinners before finally curling up on the couch with us. I decided to give him some treats again since the time he got into the treats was right before his best BMs in weeks so I know they aren't hurting.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Yes it was SUPER cute! My husband was like, it wasn't really intentional just accidental positioning and Bastian didn't seem too happy about it (his back was a little twitchy) but they both tolerated it just fine! All togetherness without issues is a win, even accidental 🤣

Not much different today! Did much together again. This time instead of going back in his room when his bowl was empty I had to block him from going for Caspians bowl. Then he walked further put the door towards the stairs and sat there for a few seconds before running on upstairs. I had chores to do so I couldn't supervise gave to face so I just moved the other cats bowls into his room and swapped them until dinner time.
View attachment 401140

Bastian was extra snuggly and super cute but also a bit bitey. First fairly big bite in a while. He walked up to me when I was laying down, head bumped my hand super sweetly, looked for a second at my braid and/or the tie on my sweatshirt (both things he likes to think are toys) then turned and bit my wrist! No blood but he did. Not. Let. Go. I walked across the whole room carrying him while he just held right on to my wrist with his teeth and almost couldn't remove him from my wrist even with gently pushing into the bite. I did finally get him off though and put him down and shut myself in the room without him. He ran right back in when I opened the door later and was right back to just being sweet and continued the super adorableness with my husband when he got home.

In more positive news I've expanded his clicker training to using a stick to indicate where I want him to go and was able to use it to get him off the kitchen counter. He then proceeded to harass us for our dinners before finally curling up on the couch with us. I decided to give him some treats again since the time he got into the treats was right before his best BMs in weeks so I know they aren't hurting.
"Yes it was SUPER cute!" - AGREED!!!

" My husband was like, it wasn't really intentional just accidental positioning" - Interesting, I thought it was intentional.

" and Bastian didn't seem too happy about it (his back was a little twitchy)" - Really? He sure got over it.

" but they both tolerated it just fine!" - Exactly!!!

" All togetherness without issues is a win, even accidental 🤣 " - HUGE WIN!!! This is a big deal. Fantastic!!!

"Not much different today! Did much together again. " - I think "lunch"? That is the pic? Is so GREAT!!!

"This time instead of going back in his room when his bowl was empty I had to block him from going for Caspians bowl. " - Hahahahaha, yep, feeling more confident and part of the family. ;)

"Then he walked further put the door towards the stairs and sat there for a few seconds before running on upstairs. " - PERFECT!!!

"I had chores to do so I couldn't supervise gave to face so I just moved the other cats bowls into his room and swapped them until dinner time. - Sounds good. That is fine.

"Bastian was extra snuggly and super cute" - Awwwwwwwwww

" but also a bit bitey." - Ok :/

" First fairly big bite in a while." - Ughhhhhh, let's see

" He walked up to me when I was laying down, head bumped my hand super sweetly, looked for a second at my braid and/or the tie on my sweatshirt (both things he likes to think are toys)" - Ok, so so far pretty normal. Head bump is love. Yep, braids, ties are toys potentially.

" then turned and bit my wrist! No blood but he did. Not. Let. Go." - Ok, good no blood. So it wasn't aggressive. I wonder if his previous family used hands, arms as toys. :/

" I walked across the whole room carrying him while he just held right on to my wrist with his teeth and almost couldn't remove him from my wrist even with gently pushing into the bite." - WOW!!!

" I did finally get him off though and put him down and shut myself in the room without him. He ran right back in when I opened the door later and was right back to just being sweet and continued the super adorableness with my husband when he got home." - Yes, he doesn't want to hurt, it is either a love bite or viewing hands, arms as toys. :/ Do you ever try "no" or "ouch" in a way not to escalate but also to let him know he is "hurting" you.? Does he ever respond to that if so?

"In more positive news I've expanded his clicker training to using a stick to indicate where I want him to go and was able to use it to get him off the kitchen counter." - Great

" He then proceeded to harass us for our dinners" - Hahahaha, yep. He is definitely feeling at home!!! Comfortable, confident.

" before finally curling up on the couch with us." - Awwwwwwwww. Where were the other cats?

" I decided to give him some treats again since the time he got into the treats was right before his best BMs in weeks so I know they aren't hurting. " - GREAT!!! I am SO HAPPY to hear his tummy is better!!!

Keep up the great work!! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #75

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
I am SO HAPPY to hear his tummy is better!!!
It's not. I mean it is, but also isn't at the same time. There's some definite improvement but it's still not normal. The treats aren't making it worse though so at the moment there's no reason to keep him from having some. What has been making the biggest difference is I started giving him pumpkin. I've been gradually increasing it and things have started to get a bit firmer. And he likes it enough to eat it by itself even so super easy to give to him though we usually mix it in with his food.

Anyways we've mostly just been doing one or two meals together and no issues. Today at lunch when Bastian finished his bowl I distracted him with treats. Caspian and Orion also both checked out what was going on and I gave them some, too. Kinda tossed them in slightly different directions and there was no problem. Bastian did start to hone in on something outside though and at one point he darted across the room almost like he was startled. He came back for another treat but I decided to switch the other cats into his room which was easy enough since they all had food left so we just moved their bowls and Cas and Ori followed, we just had to grab Splenda to put her in.

Still pretty uneventful and positive.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
It's not. I mean it is, but also isn't at the same time. There's some definite improvement but it's still not normal. The treats aren't making it worse though so at the moment there's no reason to keep him from having some. What has been making the biggest difference is I started giving him pumpkin. I've been gradually increasing it and things have started to get a bit firmer. And he likes it enough to eat it by itself even so super easy to give to him though we usually mix it in with his food.

Anyways we've mostly just been doing one or two meals together and no issues. Today at lunch when Bastian finished his bowl I distracted him with treats. Caspian and Orion also both checked out what was going on and I gave them some, too. Kinda tossed them in slightly different directions and there was no problem. Bastian did start to hone in on something outside though and at one point he darted across the room almost like he was startled. He came back for another treat but I decided to switch the other cats into his room which was easy enough since they all had food left so we just moved their bowls and Cas and Ori followed, we just had to grab Splenda to put her in.

Still pretty uneventful and positive.
"It's not. I mean it is, but also isn't at the same time. There's some definite improvement but it's still not normal."- OK, understand.

" The treats aren't making it worse though so at the moment there's no reason to keep him from having some. " - Great

"What has been making the biggest difference is I started giving him pumpkin. I've been gradually increasing it and things have started to get a bit firmer. " - Yes, that is great and it does tend to help.

"And he likes it enough to eat it by itself even so super easy to give to him though we usually mix it in with his food." - Great

"Anyways we've mostly just been doing one or two meals together and no issues." - Great

" Today at lunch when Bastian finished his bowl I distracted him with treats." - Good job. At some point I would like to see if words, etc might distract.

" Caspian and Orion also both checked out what was going on and I gave them some, too." - Awwwwwwwww

" Kinda tossed them in slightly different directions" - Ok. Sometimes when we toss them it can trigger a "hunting" instinct in the other cats so just be aware.

"and there was no problem." - GREAT!!!! Really great sign.

"Bastian did start to hone in on something outside though and at one point he darted across the room almost like he was startled." - Towards or away from what might have been outside? How did the other cats react to his movement? That will be an interesting "tell" as to how much trust they have.

" He came back for another treat" - Great, where were the other cats?

" but I decided to switch the other cats into his room which was easy enough since they all had food left so we just moved their bowls and Cas and Ori followed, we just had to grab Splenda to put her in." - Great

"Still pretty uneventful and positive. " - Sounds like it is fantastic. There were a couple moments that could have gone negative but I am guessing it didn't which is terrific. They are doing great, keep it up. GREAT JOB!!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #77

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
We haven't had the time to do as much face to face time as I would like but they are consistently eating 2 meals a day together now and yesterday we had the three boys together eating treats! Caspian and Bastian have started playing under the door more and I swear they talk to each other. Orion was swatting with Bastian through the gate the other day, my husband doesn't think Orion was playing but I'm not convinced (I'm not sure his hissing is always an indication he's not playing but I also wasn't there.) There was also a time Bastian charged him at the gate and knocked part of the gate loose. Sometimes when they are eating Bastian sniffs Caspians backside and Caspian ignores him. Orion sniffed Bastian while he ate yesterday and that was fine too.

Overall going pretty good! I am finding it helpful being able to use treats to keep their attention and Bastian's digestive issues seem to be continuing to improve which is excellent!
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
We haven't had the time to do as much face to face time as I would like but they are consistently eating 2 meals a day together now and yesterday we had the three boys together eating treats! Caspian and Bastian have started playing under the door more and I swear they talk to each other. Orion was swatting with Bastian through the gate the other day, my husband doesn't think Orion was playing but I'm not convinced (I'm not sure his hissing is always an indication he's not playing but I also wasn't there.) There was also a time Bastian charged him at the gate and knocked part of the gate loose. Sometimes when they are eating Bastian sniffs Caspians backside and Caspian ignores him. Orion sniffed Bastian while he ate yesterday and that was fine too.

Overall going pretty good! I am finding it helpful being able to use treats to keep their attention and Bastian's digestive issues seem to be continuing to improve which is excellent!
"We haven't had the time to do as much face to face time as I would like" - OK, that is ok.

"but they are consistently eating 2 meals a day together now and yesterday we had the three boys together eating treats!" - GREAT!!!

" Caspian and Bastian have started playing under the door more" - Awwwwwwww

" and I swear they talk to each other." - I am sure they are!!!

" Orion was swatting with Bastian through the gate the other day, my husband doesn't think Orion was playing but I'm not convinced (I'm not sure his hissing is always an indication he's not playing but I also wasn't there.)" - Ok. Well, your husband's cat instincts are good. Sometimes gates can cause issues. Just keep an eye on them and we'll see.

" There was also a time Bastian charged him at the gate and knocked part of the gate loose." - Interesting. Something we need to keep an eye on.

" Sometimes when they are eating Bastian sniffs Caspians backside and Caspian ignores him. " - Awwwwwwwww

"Orion sniffed Bastian while he ate yesterday and that was fine too." - Great

"Overall going pretty good!" - AGREED!!

" I am finding it helpful being able to use treats to keep their attention and Bastian's digestive issues seem to be continuing to improve which is excellent! " - GREAT and GREAT!!!

Keep up the great work. Work a bit with Orion and Bastian, making positive associations using food.

But overall, sounds great. Keep it up!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #79

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
Trying this weekend to get in more face to face time. Bastian was in his room on my husband's lap and I opened the door to allow Caspian to go in if he wanted and at first he didn't but Splenda ran over and they both came in. They weren't in his room long, less than 5 minutes, but it went fine! Caspian used his litter box with no issues. Most of the time Bastian stayed on my husband's lap and after he jumped down he didn't go right for the other cats. He did crouch down like he was stalking Splenda a little so I blocked his sight of her which worked just fine then she and Cas sauntered out of his room and I closed the door behind them then gave treats to Bastian and Caspian on either side of the gate (Splenda wandered off and isn't big on treats anyways.)

Not a long encounter but the two chose to go in his room with him and chose when to leave and everyone was fine so yay!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #80

kakers

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2021
Messages
216
Purraise
225
Ended up letting Bastian out for a bit. He played mostly while Orion and Splenda hung out on the couch and Caspian went between watching him and going in his (Bastian's) room. Caspian started to approach him so I brought out the treats and Orion and even Splenda decided to join to get some! Bastian put himself back in his room after I put the treats away then Splenda went to sniff him and he pounced on her 🙄 so my husband pulled him off and Splenda ran off but didn't actually hide! Then we closed Bash back in his room.

20211127_154854.jpg


A second before he pounced
20211127_154921.jpg


Not perfect but nobody is hurt and nobody seems scared. I think it's going to take some time for him to learn by trying that the other cats don't like him doing that. About to do lunch with them together which I expect to go fine as usual.
 
Top