- Joined
- Jul 13, 2014
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- 25
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So the opportunity stumbled upon me to get another cat - ultimately, despite the challenge, I decided to take up the opportunity. The kitty I received is a small female, no more than 10 pounds, and possibly less, named Venus. Venus is an EXTREMELY SWEET tortie, who is about the most carefree kitty in the world. She's friendly with other cats of all personalities (more aloof and playful alike), is great about not using her claws, loves to be picked up and petted, and is great with keeping herself entertained on toys. Her overall pleasant personality lead me to decide to take the chance of seeing if my resident cat, Adonis, would get along with her. As this is the first day, obviously not much has happened. I had placed the carrier down on the floor with Adonis for a moment, and as expected, he did hiss after a few sniffs of the carrier (cardboard carrier, so he couldn't see Venus), whereas Venus didn't react much. I now have Venus in my room with the door closed, and her own litter box and food bowl and some toys as well. Adonis had free reign of the rest of the apartment as of this moment.
While I have read many tip sites on how to introduce cats, I would like some input from the TCS community as to how they introduced their cats, and maybe how long it took? Adonis' personality is more reserved and nervous, and to be honest, I don't know if he's better off being an only cat or not, but I decided I just don't know if I don't try. Like I said, Venus is happy around any kitty, and she's non-confrontational.
I also face a unique problem, in that I am the only one in my apartment. My apartment is decent size, around 650 sq feet, but I only have one room that I can close off at the moment, and that's my bedroom. (The bathroom is much much too small to host my kitty's litter box and food bowl, plus the constant in-and-out might frustrate her.) Since I sleep in my bedroom, and my cats will be separated for an unknown amount of time, do you think it might be smart for me to spend every other night rotating between sleeping in my bedroom and then in my living room on the couch? (Don't worry! It's comfy!) Adonis is used to having free reign of my apartment, including at night, and I don't want him feeling as if he's losing out on being able to climb on me and sleep every night until this ordeal is done.
I also a gone from the apartment for around 11 hours a day. (Which is exactly why I was thinking of a companion cat for my frazzled Adonis.) Is there anything I should know about handling this introduction for when I am gone for the day? Or is it simply let the cats be?
Lastly, how often should I spend time with my kitties each? I am trying to find the right balance between the both of them. Venus seems less bothered by the lack of my presence than Adonis, but that could just be because she's new.
While I have read many tip sites on how to introduce cats, I would like some input from the TCS community as to how they introduced their cats, and maybe how long it took? Adonis' personality is more reserved and nervous, and to be honest, I don't know if he's better off being an only cat or not, but I decided I just don't know if I don't try. Like I said, Venus is happy around any kitty, and she's non-confrontational.
I also face a unique problem, in that I am the only one in my apartment. My apartment is decent size, around 650 sq feet, but I only have one room that I can close off at the moment, and that's my bedroom. (The bathroom is much much too small to host my kitty's litter box and food bowl, plus the constant in-and-out might frustrate her.) Since I sleep in my bedroom, and my cats will be separated for an unknown amount of time, do you think it might be smart for me to spend every other night rotating between sleeping in my bedroom and then in my living room on the couch? (Don't worry! It's comfy!) Adonis is used to having free reign of my apartment, including at night, and I don't want him feeling as if he's losing out on being able to climb on me and sleep every night until this ordeal is done.
I also a gone from the apartment for around 11 hours a day. (Which is exactly why I was thinking of a companion cat for my frazzled Adonis.) Is there anything I should know about handling this introduction for when I am gone for the day? Or is it simply let the cats be?
Lastly, how often should I spend time with my kitties each? I am trying to find the right balance between the both of them. Venus seems less bothered by the lack of my presence than Adonis, but that could just be because she's new.