Always room for more loves in my heart

[Draco]

I was casually browsing Petfinder, none of the cats hit me until I saw a beautiful white cat. I applied, and in minutes the shelter owner contacted me. In a small world, I had adopted Cassie from her 14 years ago! She remembered me and I was instantly approved. However, the white cat had been adopted. My next on the list was a beautiful orange Maine Coon/Ragdoll mix. I thought about him all day, and she told me to hurry in to meet him because she had gotten a lot of applications; she wanted me to have first dibs.

So I went to the shelter. He was beautiful indeed, but we did not connect at all. It was alright, I just lost Monet, I have Cassie, I probably shouldn't adopt another cat. But my friend pointed to another cat. And I was smitten. He's beautiful, he instantly wanted love with lots of purrs and headbutts. After half an hour of deciding and checking other cats, I kept drawing back to this guy.

Then I found out he had a brother, and the shelter was extremely hesitant on separating them. Another 10 mins of consideration whether we should separate them; I decided not to; it would be sad if one or the other would become depressed and confused and I'd have to bring him back. Maybe a bonded pair would most likely leave my 14.5 year-old girl alone for the most part, sounded like a smart move.

Here they are. Rembrandt (The furrier, bigger boy) and Dali - keeping the tradition of famous artists' names (Cassie is really Picasso, Cassie is just easier to say)

Honestly, I didn't really look at Dali much at the shelter- he was easily passed over with him hiding and blending with the other cats with nothing to stand out. I didn't know they were brothers until I said I wanted to adopt. But I'm glad I did adopt them together, they really are bonded and loves one another! They're presently in the bathroom decompressing, but they are all over me with lots of love! I am excited to have cats that other people can enjoy (Monet would hiss and hit at anyone that tried to touch him and Cassie would hide).

Rembrandt and Dali hid under my cabinet. But Rembrandt came out a few seconds later for love which gave Dali the confidence to come out and see I am not a bad person. So much love they have to give!

They came from a hoarder's house who kept mix of Maine Coons and Ragdolls. I'm sure these guys are part Maine Coon (at least Rembrandt shows more Coon than Dali)

So far Cassie saw them in the carrier from a distance. No hissing or growling; a bit of staring before running off. I'm not sure if she realizes the boys are in the bathroom or if she cares; I'm sure she smells them on me and isn't reacting much (Monet would pitch a fit, hiss and growl at me when I brought Cassie home 14 years ago). I really hope this is a good sign of an easy transition, but we will see.

Now the questions:

They are in dire need of a brushing and claw trimming. Rembrandt has a mat behind his ear. As nice as these shelter people are, I wish they took more attentive to the long-haired cats furs and their claws. I've never had long-haired cats before, what's the best brushes to get for them so I can order them? I have a slicker brush, a rubber brush and a furminator- which is for short-haired cats. Should I get blunted scissors? Which kind? How do those cat wipes work to help clean them up?

I also noticed Rembrandt tasted the chicken crumble litter. He's probably confused and not sure it's litter. How can I help him understand it's not for eating, but for doing his business in? Is chicken crumbles okay for him to eat a bit of?

Happy to have any and all advice with these guys for safe introduction and long-fur grooming!

 

[Kflowers]

You may need to use scissors for the mats. The best thing is to buy a good pair of scissors made for human babies. These are small like embroidery scissors, but have blunt/rounded points which make it almost impossible to stab your cat. If the boys are calm about it, you can hold the mat, or slip a comb into the fur between the mat and the skin and clip the fur between the comb and the mat freeing the mat. Combing out mats takes forever and is about as painful as combing solid tangles out of your hair. The mat spot will fill in again quickly and cats are, generally, okay with a few bare spots.

 

[Norachan]

Congratulations on the new cats Draco



I`ve found that a greyhound comb works best on long haired cats. You can feel the matts starting to form close to their skin when you pet them. You need to start combing out the fur under the mat, then gradually work your way up to the matt itself. You can pull the matts apart with your fingers to make it easier. Pull sideways, rather than away from the skin, so as not to hurt the cat.

I don`t know what chicken crumbles litter is. I think it`s only the clumping kind that causes problems if swallowed. I use a litter made from a soy byproduct, which is totally safe to swallow. tabbytom can tell you more about soy litter.

 

[mani]

Draco I haven't had a long-haired cat, and don't know that litter..
I just wanted to say

Congratulations!


It's wonderful that you adopted these two..
I do hope Cassie agrees and your family is incredibly happy together.

 

[Draco]

I ordered some blunt rounded edged scissors (made for beards, reviews said they used it on their pets too), a deshedder (not furminator brand, reviews looked good too) and one of those pet rakes which I'm not sure if I will even use, I thought maybe it'd be easier to use than the scissors. I also got some pet wipes to help clean them up since they have crusty fur. I don't think a bath will be in order for them lol.

I am pleased to see they used the litter box! I was concerned that it wasn't the pellet litter they were used to at the shelter, but yay!
Seeing them together makes me see how devastating it would be to separate them. No regrets there. I hope, lol.
Still so far no blink from Cassie. She smelled my hand after I pet the boys and still no reaction. Still a bit nervous about it.

A bonus- their shelter photo!

 

[neely]

I`ve found that a greyhound comb works best on long haired cats.

Having had long haired cats mostly all my life I completely agree.

I couldn't be happier for Rembrandt, Dali and you. Be still my beating heart, they are both gorgeous. Congratulations and all the best of luck! Can't wait to hear updates and see more pics.

 

[rubysmama]

Congratulations! Two beautiful cats. I'm glad you decided not to separate them. Did the shelter have an estimate for their ages?

 

[Draco]

Congratulations! Two beautiful cats. I'm glad you decided not to separate them. Did the shelter have an estimate for their ages?

They think they're about 3 years old. When I take them to the vet for a quick look-over I will see what they guess too.
I decided their birthdays will be the day they've been saved from the hoarder house. I think it's perfect to celebrate their second chance at life that way.

Edit: Since this post my cat's been to the vet and she determined them to be older than what the shelter stated, 5-7 years old.

 

[betsygee]

Oh, what wonderful news! Congratulations.

 

[rubysmama]

They think they're about 3 years old. When I take them to the vet for a quick look-over I will see what they guess too.
I decided their birthdays will be the day they've been saved from the hoarder house. I think it's perfect to celebrate their second chance at life that way.

If they're 3, then they're about the same age as my new cat, Pretty. So expect lots of running around and mischievousness, once they get settled. I like that idea for their birthday, a true new beginning for them.

 

[DeesCats]

Congratulations on adopting Rembrandt and Dali together, the CDS was working overtime for you.

They are good looking boys but I'm sure once they get settled in, get on a good diet and the grooming goes well they will look stunning.

Also a big thank you for adopting them together and I hope Cassie adjusts well.

 

[Draco]

Is it normal for an existing cat (Cassie) to not want to eat, or feel nervous about eating with newcomers? She'd take a bite or two, look towards the door, walk away, come back for another bite. I think she's becoming aware there are new family members.
Still no hissing or growling, just uncertainty.

Edit: found some posts in regards to resident cat not eating. I will get some feliway to help calm her and give her lots and lots of love!

On flip side, the boys LOVE LOVE to be brushed! I used one of my hairbrushes since it was soft (and never use it). I got some of the Matts out too. Rembrandt must have some ragdoll in him by the way he just flipped over and exposed his belly for brushing!

 

[DeesCats]

I haven't experienced a resident cat not wanting to eat with new cats in the house but it is very possible she is feeling nervous as I'm sure she can smell the new boys.

Can you sit with her when she eats or be in the same room with her? Give her lots of encouragement to make her feel more comfortable.

 

[Draco]

I'm in the same room as her, encouraging her to eat. She keeps staring at the bathroom door. She did happily eat treats; maybe I should leave treats closer to the door for her to show that the boys are not a bad thing.

At least she's not hissing or growling, no ear flattening or fur proofing. She just seems uncertain and nervous. I did play with her a bit and we snuggled. Trying to keep the routine same as possible for her. Nothing's changed in our relationship, thankfully.

Hopefully the feliway diffuser will help her, it should arrive tomorrow.

taking a shower should be interesting, considering I only have one bathroom and no other room to put the boys. I hope I don't freak them out but Meowmy does need a shower!

 

[catloverfromwayback]

You may find you have supurrvisors! My two are always watching when I shower.

I hope this isn't going to be long-term stressful for Cassie. Be ideal if she and the boys bonded eventually.

 

[DeesCats]

Draco , do you already have an appointment with your vet to get the boys checked out? Do you know if the shelter gave them vaccines of any kind AND any chance they gave you their vaccine or medical records? Those would be extremely helpful so your vet wouldn't vaccinate them again during their appt.

Are you considering a screen door or similar on the bathroom door to let Cassie see them once they are fully vetted? I think that would go a long way to make her less skittish vs. just smelling them in the house.

 

[Draco]

Draco , do you already have an appointment with your vet to get the boys checked out? Do you know if the shelter gave them vaccines of any kind AND any chance they gave you their vaccine or medical records? Those would be extremely helpful so your vet wouldn't vaccinate them again during their appt.

Are you considering a screen door or similar on the bathroom door to let Cassie see them once they are fully vetted? I think that would go a long way to make her less skittish vs. just smelling them in the house.

They are fully vetted! I have records of their vaccines and such from the shelter. They were also tested for fiv and filv and all negative. The vet assured me I don't need to take them unless something seems wrong, but Im going to take them anyway to be sure. I’m actually going to see if petsmart still does free checkups for new adoptions, otherwise I will call my existing vet.

my sister has a baby gate she’s going to let me borrow.

Cassie ate her dinner last night and half her breakfast. She seems less focused on the door. The feliway arrived already (Amazon is amazing for delivering at 4am!) and I plugged it in two rooms. Hope it works soon!

Edit:
Rembrandt escaped the bathroom because I dumbly forgot to shut the door when getting the scooper. He found Cassie on my bed. She did so good. She laid there watching him- no signs of aggression at all, no running away. She did hiss once when he got too close to her (she did the same whenever Monet got too close to her, it's also typical of her). Aside from nervousness, she acted the same as she did around Monet. They both ate their treats in each others presence. He was more interested in finding her food (and he stole some of Dali's food. gotta watch them)

I do hope the introduction will be easy! I put him back after a minute or so, I don't want to stress either of them out. A little at a time.

 

[Draco]

I'm letting the boys roam the house under supervision. Dali is super skittish and nervous, but is brave enough when Rembrandt is around. He'd only come when I'm petting Rembrandt. I hope soon they'll realize it's home and become more confident.

I don't think they know Cassie exists, lol. She keeps to herself in the bedroom where she's usually at anyway.

I gave them a good brushing with a variety of brushes. they look so much better! Mat free too! Though they still smell like shelter and urine (I ordered pet wipes to help the smell). I may take them to petsmart for a nail trimming, I feel like Im scaring them too much when I try (only got a few nails of Rembrandt, failed with Dali). I figured petsmart would trim their nails, and I can work with them at a slower pace getting their paws used to being touched and squeezed.

 

[Kflowers]

have you thought of asking your vet to do the nail trim? Our vet has techs who do it, there is no see the vet charge, and your little one gets a chance to feel more comfortable with the people there. I've seen the kennel/techs and it's a major cuddle fest with one hand/foot at a time stuck out for the trim.

 

[Draco]

I can ask the vet what they charge for nail trim.
I have a coupon for Petsmart (got a coupon booklet with the adoption papers) so the price isn't so bad.