Kitten to multi-cat household introduction not progressing

[Alldara]

I agree with everything you both posted!

 

[Sarah M]

Hello everyo,

I have an update!

I moved this Saturday and the kitties are loving the new place. The move itself was very stressful, even with all my prep, but that was to be expected. It's not easy to move with cats. But the worst is over!

Momo seems to be taking it a little bit harder than the rest, she yowls starting from 3am to 5am daily (I had tried the anxiety spray, cat calming music and even Momo's recorded purr, but it doesn't seem to be working when she decides to yowl, so I'm just letting it happen), although it was less last night compared to the first day. So she is also getting better and adjusting. I have taken leave from work so that I can manage on little sleep cause I expected at least one cat to have an issue. But Momo is otherwise well-adjusted and loves to catch birds at her own special window.

I have done the family scent thing as well, with my old face towels and rubbed each cat and then along the baseboards of the new home and have just kept them around.

I will share some of my catifications and plans as well. Give me your suggestions on what is working and what is not and what I can do better.

So I have set up Momo's enclosure like this. (There are additional blankets inside, that I have removed for washing).

It is covered by net like this (with Momo enjoying her meal) (I had removed the top part of this tree cause Momo kept missing the mark and hitting it and it was just not working inside the enclosure)

I have set up the main cat tree of the three cats like this. I wanted it near the enclosure, so that they get that much more exposure with each other. And btw, Kaiya sleeps in the little basket at the foot of the tree, which is also near the enclosure.

I also have a bookshelf that doubles as a their perching spot near the window (Please excuse the mess) I have additional bowls of food around the house, this pic only captures the two.

Now, on the other side, I have these shelves (yellow marks planned additions)

Here are Snow and Kaiya using the shleves and Nayla just lounging.

There are additional cardboard boxes scattered around and I will be adding more scratching posts and additional trees in the future.

Today, I had placed the three cats in their respective carriers and let Momo explore the home. She was exploring and all that, but then she did something that brought tears to my eyes. She went inside one of their littler boxes!!!!! She did not use it, but she went inside and dug a little, probably covering up one of the other cats' business. But it was so amazing because she would always run away when she would go near their litter boxes.

The dynamics have changed a lot since the move. Nayla and Kaiya are so much more relaxed about Momo. Snow had forgotten all about her, but is now back to being a bully. I do think its because of redirected aggression. Snow has gone thru so many changes lately what with mom going back and us moving. So it's quite a significant shift for her and she seems to be taking it out on Momo. What can I do to help Snow overcome any grief or sadness she might be feeling? I do give her lots of pets and treats and all that. But what else can I do?


That's about it. So, what are your thoughts?

And how should I now proceed with the intro? What should I look out for?

Also, how should I structure play now? Earlier, I used to play with Momo first (since she was always contained in a separate room) and then once she was done, I would play with these three. Now that its a studio apartment, what can I do? I have played with them since move and really want to get back on track with that.

 

[Kwik]

Hi Sarah!!
I'm in a bit of a rush ATM but I'll be back,I didn't read all of your update yet but I'm writing because we talked about Momo yowling and I did notice it looks like you don't have her corner against a wall - that might have something to do with it ,remember when she was first a scaredy girl and how she liked the corner?

Okay I'll be back after I finish up outside,I ran in for one minute to use MY litter box- rofl

 

[Kwik]

Looks great Sarah- I'd love to see extra brackets on both ends of your shelves,if somebody comes pouncing down on a shelf & that center bracket comes out they will not only get a terrible fright and might not trust the shelves but can get hurt.....I have double and triple brackets on all their shelves ,even the tiny ones ( for cats) thst came with one bracket- one came flying out of the wall once and it was secured with the proper anchors - took Graycie alot of coaxing after thst and thankfully she was not hurt....

So Snow is getting comfy again and now starting to fixate on Momo or who?

Did I mention you're doing a fantastic job ( as usual)?Your plans for the shelves look wonderful,12- 18 inch spacing maximum for jumping safely vertically and 12 to 16 inches for horizontal jumps..... that's considered " safe" spacing for cats( not kittens)

 

[rubysmama]

Congrats on the move. Glad it went as smoothly as possible. I can't really advise on your questions, but things look good, and it shows you're putting a lot of thought into the layout of everything.

 

[Sarah M]

Hi Sarah!!
I'm in a bit of a rush ATM but I'll be back,I didn't read all of your update yet but I'm writing because we talked about Momo yowling and I did notice it looks like you don't have her corner against a wall - that might have something to do with it ,remember when she was first a scaredy girl and how she liked the corner?

Okay I'll be back after I finish up outside,I ran in for one minute to use MY litter box- rofl

Take your time!

So corner wall against the enclosure is not possible in this home because of the way the windows are spaced. If I have to put her in a corner then she will not have access to the window. I could cover the tree side of the enclosure with a blanket or cardboard?

The shelves, yes they are not supported only by the bracket, they are invisible shelves that are screwed onto the wall. I have added the bracket as an additional support. But yes, I will be adding more brackets on all the shelves to make them that much more stable.

 

[Sarah M]

Snow is fixating on Momo again

 

[Kwik]

Take your time!

So corner wall against the enclosure is not possible in this home because of the way the windows are spaced. If I have to put her in a corner then she will not have access to the window. I could cover the tree side of the enclosure with a blanket or cardboard?

The shelves, yes they are not supported only by the bracket, they are invisible shelves that are screwed onto the wall. I have added the bracket as an additional support. But yes, I will be adding more brackets on all the shelves to make them that much more stable.

Perfect- like you did before with the cardboard - see if that helps

Oh goody with the shelves - the vertical space is GREAT!

 

[Kwik]

Snow is fixating on Momo again

Okay so definitely need the cardboard for Momo and I think it would be good to get back to your work with Snow on his lead ,the correction/distraction as well .... Also might want to swap him out with Momo in the enclosure so they are getting their scents in both areas as it will be all one territory eventually- kwim?

 

[Sarah M]

Okay so definitely need the cardboard for Momo and I think it would be good to get back to your work with Snow on his lead ,the correction/distraction as well .... Also might want to swap him out with Momo in the enclosure so they are getting their scents in both areas as it will be all one territory eventually- kwim?

I'll get right on that! As always, thank you so much for your input!

 

[Kwik]

And as always it is my pleasure my friend

 

[Alldara]

Does your bathroom have a door that closes?

I'm wondering if just say your calmest one can stay out with Momo while she plays.

You could do perhaps a treat time in thr bathroom for the others while Momo plays?

Everything really looks amazing so far!

 

[Sarah M]

Does your bathroom have a door that closes?

I'm wondering if just say your calmest one can stay out with Momo while she plays.

You could do perhaps a treat time in thr bathroom for the others while Momo plays?

Everything really looks amazing so far!

Yes I do. I can try that.

Although choosing the cat that can potentially stay with Momo out and about is a challenge. Calmest one so far is Nayla, but she is a little unpredictable. Doesn't do too well on a leash.

I would rather take it very slowly. I will start with swapping the cats in the enclosure now. So I will have two of the cats crated, and put one cats in Momo's enclosure and take Momo out. This will allow for better scent swapping also.

I think I'm also too much in my own head because just the thought of keeping Momo out with a cat is giving me flashbacks of when she was attacked.

 

[Kwik]

It's okay- NO HURRY-temember how you started out all panicked with the pressure of time lines?You have all the time in the world,your own time,their pace,your comfortability- one day at a time

 

[Alldara]

Yes I do. I can try that.

Although choosing the cat that can potentially stay with Momo out and about is a challenge. Calmest one so far is Nayla, but she is a little unpredictable. Doesn't do too well on a leash.

I would rather take it very slowly. I will start with swapping the cats in the enclosure now. So I will have two of the cats crated, and put one cats in Momo's enclosure and take Momo out. This will allow for better scent swapping also.

I think I'm also too much in my own head because just the thought of keeping Momo out with a cat is giving me flashbacks of when she was attacked.

Wonderful ideas.

Yes youll have to build your own confidence again too.

 

[Sarah M]

Yeah, I'm taking it one day at a time. I have already seen a huge progress from all the cats and I don't want to rush anything that will make it back to square one. All of the cats are mine and so I'm prepared to go for as long as it takes.

I think when I put each cat in Momo's enclosure, I will also guage who is the most comfortable in her space.

 

[Kwik]

Yeah, I'm taking it one day at a time. I have already seen a huge progress from all the cats and I don't want to rush anything that will make it back to square one. All of the cats are mine and so I'm prepared to go for as long as it takes.

I think when I put each cat in Momo's enclosure, I will also guage who is the most comfortable in her space.

You'll never go back to square one Sarah- I told you from the start " you are a natural" ,you always give 100%,you've great instincts and I'm so very proud of you..... Look how hard you worked to recondition Momo from a little scardey cat to such a confident girl,not an easy task - not everyone could have accomplished all you've done and will continue to do

You had way more obstacles than most,so much going on yet you still managed to press on and now nothing and no one is in the way..... look out world!Trust your instincts

 

[Sarah M]

You'll never go back to square one Sarah- I told you from the start " you are a natural" ,you always give 100%,you've great instincts and I'm so very proud of you..... Look how hard you worked to recondition Momo from a little scardey cat to such a confident girl,not an easy task - not everyone could have accomplished all you've done and will continue to do

You had way more obstacles than most,so much going on yet you still managed to press on and now nothing and no one is in the way..... look out world!Trust your instincts

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement always

Today I put Snow in the enclosure, had Momo out in the house, and Nayla and Kaiya were crated. Snow was unsure at first, but then ate Momo's food, and used her litter!

After some 30 mins, I decided to not overload Snow. Crated Momo for safety and then let Snow out. She approached Momo's crate and they both had a very short but very calm interaction for about 2 seconds. They each smelled each other thru the door of the crate. Only for 2 seconds, then they started meowing. But I'll take those two seconds.

Here they are some 10 mins later.

Btw, all four cats are so much more in tune with me now. They listen to my commands in one go. Even Kaiya

 

[Kwik]

Fantastic- that's great scent swapping and easy ,relaxed interaction ..... you would not have gotten 2 seconds a couple of months ago,keep up the wonderful work

Is that Snow up top- so glad you made that outer roof with supports,nice and sturdy and they love it up there!

Your studio looks really big- I love the rounded wall- so cool

 

[Sarah M]

Fantastic- that's great scent swapping and easy ,relaxed interaction ..... you would not have gotten 2 seconds a couple of months ago,keep up the wonderful work

Is that Snow up top- so glad you made that outer roof with supports,nice and sturdy and they love it up there!

Your studio looks really big- I love the rounded wall- so cool

Yeah exactly! I was literally holding my breath (not that hard for 2 seconds, lol, but just saying) when they interacted.

Thank you! So blessed to have found this place. Its huge for a studio and I love the curve and the windows as well. I have plans of decorating the place, which I can do as soon as Momo is out of the enclosure.