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- Mar 14, 2016
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AGREED!!!Duncan is gray, but everyday is simply CAT Appreciation day in this household.
AGREED!!!Duncan is gray, but everyday is simply CAT Appreciation day in this household.
I'm thinking yesI think Tuesday or Wednesday. And now you are more prepared and work on distracting in a positive way and reassuring him that everything is ok.
I will definitely be on the lookout for that. Duncan didn't seem at all bothered, though, when he was watching Indy. His body language was really relaxed, and it was more like he was fascinated by the creature looking back at him. I was more concerned about Indy getting excited to see Duncan and trying to jump the gates.I bet exciting! How great!! Indy sounds just so cutel
With the laser focus stare when treats or a toy doesn't work I've used a sound they don't hear very often- like tapping on the wall or floor (if it's not carpeted), snap my fingers, blow a little on a tin whistle I have, play a bird song clip on my phone, even start to sing a song in a high voice, or other funny noises. To get them to look away from each other. Or just end the encounter. I've had "the stare" and not moving a muscle turn in to a charge. Just a little info for future encounters!
Cool! That sounds great, and you said he did turn his back to the gate, awesome!I will definitely be on the lookout for that. Duncan didn't seem at all bothered, though, when he was watching Indy. His body language was really relaxed, and it was more like he was fascinated by the creature looking back at him. I was more concerned about Indy getting excited to see Duncan and trying to jump the gates.
Sorry, I am having computer issues today.I can't edit my post since it's been too long. Sorry for a 2nd one.
I just tried again, and it went so well!
I put Indy in his area with his food bowl, and then I went around and raised the sheet to the same height as before. Duncan came right over and immediately upon seeing Indy, he let out just the smallest little meow, nothing at all threatening. That was it. I'd say we sat down there for maybe 5 minutes. I was unable to distract Duncan with his favorite toy, but it didn't really seem to matter.
Indy wasn't hungry, so he sat on the other side of the gate, and the two of them checked each other over. Duncan, once again, didn't actually go up to the gate, but he did get fairly close to snag a treat.
Since treats are a fun thing for them, they both got 3. Indy purred the whole time.
At one point, Duncan was sitting with his back to the gates, maybe for 45 seconds.
After 5 minutes or so, I put the sheet down, and Duncan and I walked away. I took Indy back into the bathroom and sat with him for a few minutes. He was so happy and snuggly. Then I made my way back out to Duncan, who is acting perfectly normal.
This is so exciting! While I'm sure it's not going to be 100% perfect, I really think this is going to work.
Yeah, I was moving his bowl out, but he wasn't interested. Maybe I'll try moving it further next time. The way it was, I would say it was up to 5 feet away, maybe more. I kept moving it to where he was.C calicosrspecial will come in with info/what-to-do, but one thing I've done is see if there is a distance that the resident cat will eat at the other side of the gate at same time as the newcomer with the sheet raised however much- 5 feet from the gate, 3 feet from the gate, 7 feet from the gate- whatever the line of comfort is for Duncan. Maybe that will work?
You're sure there's nothing here that will work?With the laser focus stare when treats or a toy doesn't work I've used a sound they don't hear very often- like tapping on the wall or floor (if it's not carpeted), snap my fingers, blow a little on a tin whistle I have, play a bird song clip on my phone, even start to sing a song in a high voice, or other funny noises. To get them to look away from each other. Or just end the encounter. I've had "the stare" and not moving a muscle turn in to a charge.
"We went through it again before I left for class. This time, Duncan hissed a couple small times" - Totally expected and normal. A hiss is communication, the reaction (how the other cat responds) is what is important.We went through it again before I left for class.
This time, Duncan hissed a couple small times, but I swear, I think Indy decided that was a show of love, so he got even closer to the gate, if it was possible. He was already smashed up against it. Nothing will deter him from receiving Duncan's love and approval!
For Duncan, he got one treat, I think. I can't remember now. Other than those 2 small times of hissing, which were actually nothing, he kind of milled around the area, sometimes closer to the gate than others. He wasn't stressed or anything. And again, he turned his back to the gate, and another time, he streeeeeeetcccccchhhhed out. I'm usually sitting no further than a foot from the gate, and he's always just on the other side of me, sometimes on the side closest. So he's not far at all during these moments.
"Duncan hissed a few times" - Totally normal and expected.We just got done with another round, and then there was one right before the gym.
To sum up both sessions -
They did pretty well. Duncan hissed a few times, and Indy just doesn't seem to care. He meowed happy little meows at Duncan. Sometimes, Duncan would meow back, though not as happily as Indy did. He took swipes at the gate a couple times. I think Indy may have tried to take a swipe or two in response.
But honestly, it wasn't bad. I was able to get Duncan's attention quickly, and right after one bout, Duncan stood about a foot from the gate and stretched right toward the gate. Both times today, he turned his back on the gate for bits at a time. AND he's eaten two times with Indy on the other side. I would say it's about 3-3.5 feet away, and it's in a way that they can't really see each other. The second time, his bowl was closer than the first.
So a couple little hissy fits and swipes taken, but Indy was unaffected, and Duncan was over it as soon as I distracted him. I should also say that, when Duncan was pitching his fits, he's done it with his tail straight in the air and tipped over on the end.
Right after, I put Indy back in the bathroom. I snuggled with him for a few minutes, and he was just as sweet as he could be.
I came out, and Duncan was sitting patiently on his side of the gate, like he was ready for more. Cats. Go figure.