- Joined
- Dec 1, 2014
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- 517
- Purraise
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Hey guys, so I'm a little new here. I joined about a month ago and have really enjoyed reading through some of these threads, especially the ones that recorded the progress of introducing another cat or taming a stray. I don't know if anyone will want to read this but I really wanted to start a thread of my own to record the introduction of my two kitties, Sasha and Kyubi. Hopefully by the end of it, they'll be best buds! But we'll see how it goes. I'll seriously settle for them just coexisting.
So some history. I have had Sasha for about 8 years (named after a fictional dog, haha). I got her for Christmas when she was about 6 months old and since then we have gone through high school and college together, lived in 2 different cities, and moved from apartment to apartment. She's a little princess. She is shy at first but won't hesitate to demand some cuddles once she gets to know you. Sasha has been an only cat all her life, which may present as a challenge.
I have had Kyubi for about two days now (named after Ninetails in Naruto, or the Japanese myth of fox spirits). He is 8 months old and was a stray in my family's neighborhood. My sister-in-law and brother took to feeding him and eventually got him into the basement. Since they're not really pet people, they asked if I wanted to take him in. Since I am a recent grad living in a smallish flat with my bf and Sasha, I really hesitated to. However, the alternative was letting him back outside or sending him to the Humane Society. I had a hard enough time saying no in the first place since I LOOOOOVE all animals, but I just couldn't pas up the opportunity to take in the poor little guy.
Anyways, Kyubi has been neutered and given a clean bill of health from the vet other than some roundworms. He is in my bathroom right now and seems to be adjusting well. He likes to hang out in his box with a blanket, uses his litter box, and has a heathy appetite. I'm trying to fatten him up a bit as I can feel way too many bones. He seems curious about Sasha and the rest of the house. I have spent some time with him everyday and sometimes leave Music My Pet on for him. I am also using Feliway.
Kyubi is a really curious cat but can also be timid. I assume this is from living on the streets and having to watch out for cars, wild animals, other cats, etc. Sasha, on the other hand, is really mellow. She is shy and timid at first, but has proven to be able to adjust to many situations such as moving, living with roommates, etc. She is really comfortable and self-assured once she's settled in. They both love to sit on my lap, so hopefully Kyubi will take to my bf since he's jealous that Sasha always chooses me over him! (I'm slowing but surely converting him into a cat person.)
For the first day, Sasha seemed unaware of Kyubi. She ate and interacted with us normally. I wasn't sure if she was oblivious to the new addition or just didn't care. Well, we're sure that she is aware of Kyubi's presence now! She has been waiting at the door and hissing as we open the bathroom to leave. This only happened twice and has been the only hissing so far. She eats by the bathroom door fine, if a little warily. Also she is acting a bit jealous. She is more clingy and vocal than usual, but I'm sure it's from feeling threatened about another cat in her territory. So far, so good.
I know that we will have to take it slowly as Kyubi still needs to take his last dose of roundworm meds in a week and there is a possible ringworm scare, although it is probably nothing. We will try to reassure Sasha and will keep feeding them by the door. So far, we are at the Isolation stage. I don't want to start scent swapping yet until we're sure about the ringworm.
I'm already super attached to Kyubi! I'm a worrier but I am going to think positive thoughts (a furry, snuggly ball of orange and gray, please!)
I've done a lot of research about the introduction process but if you have any advice you want to add, that would be awesome too!! I will update this when/ if anything changes.
So some history. I have had Sasha for about 8 years (named after a fictional dog, haha). I got her for Christmas when she was about 6 months old and since then we have gone through high school and college together, lived in 2 different cities, and moved from apartment to apartment. She's a little princess. She is shy at first but won't hesitate to demand some cuddles once she gets to know you. Sasha has been an only cat all her life, which may present as a challenge.
I have had Kyubi for about two days now (named after Ninetails in Naruto, or the Japanese myth of fox spirits). He is 8 months old and was a stray in my family's neighborhood. My sister-in-law and brother took to feeding him and eventually got him into the basement. Since they're not really pet people, they asked if I wanted to take him in. Since I am a recent grad living in a smallish flat with my bf and Sasha, I really hesitated to. However, the alternative was letting him back outside or sending him to the Humane Society. I had a hard enough time saying no in the first place since I LOOOOOVE all animals, but I just couldn't pas up the opportunity to take in the poor little guy.
Anyways, Kyubi has been neutered and given a clean bill of health from the vet other than some roundworms. He is in my bathroom right now and seems to be adjusting well. He likes to hang out in his box with a blanket, uses his litter box, and has a heathy appetite. I'm trying to fatten him up a bit as I can feel way too many bones. He seems curious about Sasha and the rest of the house. I have spent some time with him everyday and sometimes leave Music My Pet on for him. I am also using Feliway.
Kyubi is a really curious cat but can also be timid. I assume this is from living on the streets and having to watch out for cars, wild animals, other cats, etc. Sasha, on the other hand, is really mellow. She is shy and timid at first, but has proven to be able to adjust to many situations such as moving, living with roommates, etc. She is really comfortable and self-assured once she's settled in. They both love to sit on my lap, so hopefully Kyubi will take to my bf since he's jealous that Sasha always chooses me over him! (I'm slowing but surely converting him into a cat person.)
For the first day, Sasha seemed unaware of Kyubi. She ate and interacted with us normally. I wasn't sure if she was oblivious to the new addition or just didn't care. Well, we're sure that she is aware of Kyubi's presence now! She has been waiting at the door and hissing as we open the bathroom to leave. This only happened twice and has been the only hissing so far. She eats by the bathroom door fine, if a little warily. Also she is acting a bit jealous. She is more clingy and vocal than usual, but I'm sure it's from feeling threatened about another cat in her territory. So far, so good.
I know that we will have to take it slowly as Kyubi still needs to take his last dose of roundworm meds in a week and there is a possible ringworm scare, although it is probably nothing. We will try to reassure Sasha and will keep feeding them by the door. So far, we are at the Isolation stage. I don't want to start scent swapping yet until we're sure about the ringworm.
I'm already super attached to Kyubi! I'm a worrier but I am going to think positive thoughts (a furry, snuggly ball of orange and gray, please!)
I've done a lot of research about the introduction process but if you have any advice you want to add, that would be awesome too!! I will update this when/ if anything changes.