I just adopted a new kitten as a playmate for my 5 year old tabby (Freyja), and I am really anxious about this whole process. I think I just need a little encouragement and advice right now. Sorry for the very long post, and for any rambling that may occur.
About 2 months ago, my husband and I adopted a bonded pair of cats, Freyja and Tyson (not litter mates). They were really good friends, and I was looking forward to spending a long and happy life with them. Unfortunately, Tyson was really sick and after only a week of having him as a part of our lives, he crossed the rainbow bridge. My husband and I were absolutely devastated, and Freyja seemed a little down. She was kind of needy to begin with, but she was not enjoying being our only cat. My husband and I both work, so she spent most of her days by herself. As soon as we get home in the evenings, she is yowling at us, and it sounds like chastising! It's kind of cute, really. But, I feel bad for her.
This is Freyja's third (and final!) home. The first two, she spent with her litter mate sister. When their second owner was unable to care for them, they were given to a kill shelter, and Freyja was rescued, but they were too late for her sister. Sometime in her travels, Freyja contracted feline herpes and had a pretty bad outbreak when we first brought her home.
Anyway, yesterday, we brought home a beautiful little 5 month old kitten. He came with the name Sid Vicious, but we may change that. He and a litter mate sister were found in a teenager's closet, and put up on craig's list. Both Sid and his sister were taken in by a lady who could only keep the sister and gave Sid to the shelter. Right now, we have Sid isolated in our second bedroom, and my husband and I have been on "kitty shifts" switching between hanging out with Freyja and Sid. When we brought Sid home yesterday, Freyja was a little concerned, until I let her sniff the carrier we brought him home in. She calmed down after that, but took some convincing to go play string. Each kitty also has a box with a towel to sleep on and we are switching those out, so they can get used to each other's scent. Sid managed to escape a couple of times yesterday and the cats have touched noses, but didn't seem to react one way or the other. Freyja is hanging out by the door and seems very curious as to what is going on inside. I've heard that's a good sign!
Sid has spent pretty much all day today sleeping on a blanket, and hasn't seemed interested in any of the toys that we have. He has been sneezing, but I don't see any other signs of a respiratory infection (runny eyes, labored breathing, sneezing fits, etc.). Freyja has been acting almost normal today, but she is definitely wanting more attention than usual. She doesn't want to play as much as she just wants one of us to sit next to her.
I am just feeling very anxious about the whole thing. When I am sitting with Freyja, I feel bad that the kitten is shut up in a little room and am concerned that he isn't playing. When I am with the kitten, I am concerned that Freyja is feeling left out and may get jealous of the new cat. Not to mention, I'm completely paranoid that this kitty is going to get sick like Tyson was, and that Freyja is going to have another outbreak. And, I am also very worried that when they do meet, they aren't going to like each other. The vet said to keep them separated for a week, but I may go mad before that happens. I know I am being neurotic and that although this week may be rough, it will have great results. Anyone else have new kitty anxiety?
Thanks in advance!
About 2 months ago, my husband and I adopted a bonded pair of cats, Freyja and Tyson (not litter mates). They were really good friends, and I was looking forward to spending a long and happy life with them. Unfortunately, Tyson was really sick and after only a week of having him as a part of our lives, he crossed the rainbow bridge. My husband and I were absolutely devastated, and Freyja seemed a little down. She was kind of needy to begin with, but she was not enjoying being our only cat. My husband and I both work, so she spent most of her days by herself. As soon as we get home in the evenings, she is yowling at us, and it sounds like chastising! It's kind of cute, really. But, I feel bad for her.
This is Freyja's third (and final!) home. The first two, she spent with her litter mate sister. When their second owner was unable to care for them, they were given to a kill shelter, and Freyja was rescued, but they were too late for her sister. Sometime in her travels, Freyja contracted feline herpes and had a pretty bad outbreak when we first brought her home.
Anyway, yesterday, we brought home a beautiful little 5 month old kitten. He came with the name Sid Vicious, but we may change that. He and a litter mate sister were found in a teenager's closet, and put up on craig's list. Both Sid and his sister were taken in by a lady who could only keep the sister and gave Sid to the shelter. Right now, we have Sid isolated in our second bedroom, and my husband and I have been on "kitty shifts" switching between hanging out with Freyja and Sid. When we brought Sid home yesterday, Freyja was a little concerned, until I let her sniff the carrier we brought him home in. She calmed down after that, but took some convincing to go play string. Each kitty also has a box with a towel to sleep on and we are switching those out, so they can get used to each other's scent. Sid managed to escape a couple of times yesterday and the cats have touched noses, but didn't seem to react one way or the other. Freyja is hanging out by the door and seems very curious as to what is going on inside. I've heard that's a good sign!
Sid has spent pretty much all day today sleeping on a blanket, and hasn't seemed interested in any of the toys that we have. He has been sneezing, but I don't see any other signs of a respiratory infection (runny eyes, labored breathing, sneezing fits, etc.). Freyja has been acting almost normal today, but she is definitely wanting more attention than usual. She doesn't want to play as much as she just wants one of us to sit next to her.
I am just feeling very anxious about the whole thing. When I am sitting with Freyja, I feel bad that the kitten is shut up in a little room and am concerned that he isn't playing. When I am with the kitten, I am concerned that Freyja is feeling left out and may get jealous of the new cat. Not to mention, I'm completely paranoid that this kitty is going to get sick like Tyson was, and that Freyja is going to have another outbreak. And, I am also very worried that when they do meet, they aren't going to like each other. The vet said to keep them separated for a week, but I may go mad before that happens. I know I am being neurotic and that although this week may be rough, it will have great results. Anyone else have new kitty anxiety?
Thanks in advance!
