Please help with big decision

[Dinah Doll]

I have always tamed ferals (a little anyway) by standing by them when they are eating, leaning over and stroking them, or trying at least in the beginning, they are fast! Usually they eventually let you touch them, my outside Jet even lets me run my hands up his tail and over his face now. Mama cat is so feral she won't even let me close, but she comes running for food! She also rolls all over the place when IU talk to her, I guess I get what I get and should be thankful.....

Thanks di and bob! Since Callie has been here (not quite 2weeks) Dynah has let me get closer to her without running or retreating to a safe spot in that room. Today, she let me stand just 2 feet from her while she ate catgrass. But she was facing me. That's the difference with her. Always has me in her sights. As soon as I would reach down to pet her she always scoots away.

But yesterday I did do the trick I think Kwik mentioned. While I opened a window I just grazed Dynah's shoulder. She did a quick tiny hiss as it surprized her, but the hiss was short lived as she seemed to take it as a mistake and she stayed right in the spot she was in!

Anyway, TY for chiming in

 

[Dinah Doll]

I thought those back legs were long, too.
And I'm also intergrating my partner's cat, they are here most of the time. Elwood is 10 years old and an Egyptian Mau mix. He's lived with other cats all his life, he likes other cats, and it's going well except that he really wants to greet my cats too energetically, so we are going slowly. What a housefull!

What a great houseful you have indeed! And I know it is a lot of work too. But it is so worth the effort! Good luck with your new boy Elwood

 

[Dinah Doll]

Hi guys! I put a video together (link below) of Callie so you can see her in action. She is doing great, gaining weight, much more comfortable in her new home. She and Dynah are still avoiding each other and with only a few hissing sessions, no fur has flown, so they are showing respect. Callie is sleeping in her computer room upstairs the last few nights now. She is claiming that room and living room as her own it seems at least during the day as Dynah sleeps most of the day away.

Dynah has become over weight. I really noticed this since Callie has entered the picture. So Dynah is now on a diet. I only give her a 1/4 cup of dry food plus aliitle more at night instead of leaving a whole bowl out for her to eat 24/7. She usually only "drinks" gravy from wet food, so I have begun giving her just a large tablespoon of wet food in the morning and again when she wants to eat at night. SHE lets me know when she wants "din-din" as she comes into her bedroom, and starts throwing marbles around the room

Since Dynah has not used her cat cave in her bedroom, that room name must be changed to her dining room now. I could easily move her food to her back room but I want her to leave that room as much as possibly during the day. And I wont put her litter box in her room either. That stays in her "dining room as both cats use that box and the one in the kitchen. The third box that I put in my bedroom for Callie will probably be moved back on the porch if Callie continues to sleep upstairs.

Dynah is getting more used to me trying to interact closer to her as I try to touch her nose and graze pet her. But she is still fighting me but at the same time tolerating me more. Yesterday, she smelled my finger as I put it near her in her cattree. Great step forward there.

So here is the new Callie video. It is a few from her making biscuits, having a bad dream and snoring, playing, 1st time in other cat tree that matches her fur coat, more play, laying with me in my recliner, and a chair ride!!

Hope you enjoy it: Callie Video
Oh...last from the video is a pic from today showing Callie's belly filling out and her rear hips are looking fuller too

 

[pearl99]

I love this news. I was just thinking "I hope Greg has posted on Dynah and Callie." It's going so well! Love that you can get closer to Dynah. A nose/finger greeting!! Yay!
Nice that they are both using the same litter boxes. Scent familiarity.
Ziggy also licks just the gravy in gravy wet food so I stopped giving her gravy wet food. Luckily she loves all the other wet food consistencies.
Wow, Dynah getting fat, a contented kitty. I'm sure she feels more secure with that, all the food she needs .

 

[tabbytom]

Dinah Doll

 

[Kwik]

Thanks di and bob! Since Callie has been here (not quite 2weeks) Dynah has let me get closer to her without running or retreating to a safe spot in that room. Today, she let me stand just 2 feet from her while she ate catgrass. But she was facing me. That's the difference with her. Always has me in her sights. As soon as I would reach down to pet her she always scoots away.

But yesterday I did do the trick I think Kwik mentioned. While I opened a window I just grazed Dynah's shoulder. She did a quick tiny hiss as it surprized her, but the hiss was short lived as she seemed to take it as a mistake and she stayed right in the spot she was in!

Anyway, TY for chiming in

Yep- that's exactly how it's done Greg-you just go about your business and accidentally " graze" them - if you observe felines that are interested in getting to know another feline it is just what they do- and theyre initial bumps are typically from the side- where they are less apt to get a smack in the face- cats will ":head bump" a bit later on when they feel a little less vulnerable to approach - and they respect the " give me space ' little hiss but they keep making attempts,don't they,when they are not getting smacked on harshly

Close proximity,that's the trick_ actually the closer you are ,instead of a cats arm length the less likely you are to get scratched - they will need to turn or position themselves better for that and you can better read the signal because they are pretty darn fast - lol

The more you do it the more comfortable and confident you'll get- cats surely sense confidence as well as they can sense insecurity and hesitancy.....the more comfortable we are the more comfortable they are.

Love your photos and videos.Oh ,if I were you I'd get a 4th box for the patio but I'm a litter box nut- I have one in every room,2 in one room and one outside....I like for my kitties to have every convenience I can possibly give them, especially with 5.Giving them no reasons to be competitive and many reasons to feel their territory is big enough to share

 

[pearl99]

and they respect the " give me space ' little hiss but they keep making attempts,don't they,when they are not getting smacked on harshly

That's exactly what Waffles did toward Ziggy after I adopted Ziggy, so sweet watching Waffles gradually give Ziggy the confidence he wouldn't harm her. It worked with me doing that to Waffles when I adopted him 8 years ago (although he didn't smack me harshly )

 

[Dinah Doll]

So I have this large feather from a Crow that Dynah sometimes plays with. I started using it to stroke her when i can and so far she is not hissing at me but seems to be surprised and not sure how to react! But does not retreat further into the rear of her cubby hole.

But I think she may like it at the same time. I will continue this interaction from time to time. I will report back!

 

[Kwik]

So I have this large feather from a Crow that Dynah sometimes plays with. I started using it to stroke her when i can and so far she is not hissing at me but seems to be surprised and not sure how to react! But does not retreat further into the rear of her cubby hole.

But I think she may like it at the same time. I will continue this interaction from time to time. I will report back!

Love it- that puts you nice n close

 

[Dinah Doll]

BIG NEWS! Hey guys I just had to share this. 1st, Callie approached Dynah as Dynah was upside down in the hallway, I mean within 3ft of her and they just looked at each other. Then Dynah gave just the tiniest little hiss but they stayed right where they were.

But here's the BIG NEWS. DYNAH met my finger halfway and let me rub the bridge of her nose

This is a great day folks. Really it is the first time that she let her guard completely down for me. What a feeling. It has been almost a year that she has been with me. So I just had to share this with you because everyone has been so helpful.

And here are a few more pics of content Callie. She has certainly made herself a new home!

 

[pearl99]

But here's the BIG NEWS. DYNAH met my finger halfway and let me rub the bridge of her nose

I hope she decides she just can't get enough!! The BEST news. Your work and patience is rewarded.

 

[Kwik]

Yay!....it's smooth sailing now!

Love the photos Greg- adorable

 

[Dinah Doll]

Thanks guys!

 

[tabbytom]

BIG NEWS! Hey guys I just had to share this. 1st, Callie approached Dynah as Dynah was upside down in the hallway, I mean within 3ft of her and they just looked at each other. Then Dynah gave just the tiniest little hiss but they stayed right where they were.

But here's the BIG NEWS. DYNAH met my finger halfway and let me rub the bridge of her nose

This is a great day folks. Really it is the first time that she let her guard completely down for me. What a feeling. It has been almost a year that she has been with me. So I just had to share this with you because everyone has been so helpful.

And here are a few more pics of content Callie. She has certainly made herself a new home!

Your patience is paying off!

 

[Dinah Doll]

A couple of pics to show just how Dynah has really filled out (getting fat) and I have her on a diet. And one closeup of my newest girl Callie who has also gained weight which for her is a really good thing!

 

[pearl99]

They look so completely content.

 

[Kwik]

They look so completely content.

They really do..... 2 beautiful and very content ladies!

 

[Avery]

Dynah and Callie have the sweetest little faces! You are doing such a great job with them. Thanks for the photos!

 

[tabbytom]

A couple of pics to show just how Dynah has really filled out (getting fat) and I have her on a diet. And one closeup of my newest girl Callie who has also gained weight which for her is a really good thing!

 

[Dinah Doll]

Thank you so much guys! I love to share with you our lives here!