The Hooper and Ollie Show

[Twylasmom]

I may as well start this introduction thread now as I am already seeing some issues with Hooper. He has been a little high strung ever since Ollie first showed up on the patio. He is definitely aware that Ollie is in the house but is acting anxious rather than aggressive. This is mostly manifesting in a decrease in appetite, he is eating some, but definitely not his usual amount, which of course makes me worry. He has always been a bit of a picky eater (even though he is a big cat) and I am always trying to find things he will like. I am making sure he gets lots of love and positive reinforcement (he has always been an anxious cat who often spends the day under the bedcovers when I am not home.

Ollie is doing really well and would like to bust out of quarantine already. He is pottying, playing and eating. He is still gobbling up all food as soon as it is within reach. A friend came over to meet him and he went right up to her. By contrast, today was the first time in the 5 years I’ve had Hooper that he stayed on the couch when she came over, which was a huge surprise.

 

[Kris107]

I'm not sure I know the whole backstory re: Ollie, but do you think Hooper feels okay physically? Sometimes stress can lower their immune system and things will spring up. No eye/nose discharge? Sneezing? Sometimes a change in behavior (and appetite!) means they aren't feeling well and that should be ruled out. Otherwise, I think you're doing what you can in terms of giving Hooper extra love and attention.

 

[Annieca2016]

Anxious rather than aggressive is a good sign in my book! Just keep giving them both love! Where are you at in the introduction phase?

 

[Twylasmom]

I'm not sure I know the whole backstory re: Ollie, but do you think Hooper feels okay physically? Sometimes stress can lower their immune system and things will spring up. No eye/nose discharge? Sneezing? Sometimes a change in behavior (and appetite!) means they aren't feeling well and that should be ruled out. Otherwise, I think you're doing what you can in terms of giving Hooper extra love and attention.

Anxious rather than aggressive is a good sign in my book! Just keep giving them both love! Where are you at in the introduction phase?

Ollie is an unneutered two-year old stray who showed up on my patio this week. He is extremely underweight but overall healthy. He is staying isolated in an upstairs bedroom for at least the next three weeks (due to his unneutered status and to facilitate a slow introduction. He is extremely friendly and seems fearless.

Hooper is about 6 years old and is a large (16 lb) neutered male. He was a feral kitten and it took a long time to acclimate to being indoors and being around another cat (Twyla, who passed two months ago) though he eventually had a good relationship with her. Despite his size he tends to be a fearful cat and I am his security blanket. His overall health is fine, he is playful, his eyes are clear, tail up and alert, snuggles with me. He will eat a bit here and there, but he is definitely aware that there is another cat in the house so he is looking around and trying to figure things out. So anxiety seems to be the culprit. Ollie has only been inside for two days, but previous to that they had some interactions through the patio door and Hooper was yowling, big puffy tail and throwing himself at the glass. He has done none of that since Ollie came in. Hooper always took several days to reacclimate to Twyla whenever she came back from the vet, so I know this will not be an easy process.

 

[Kris107]

Thanks for some more background. I would be VERY cautious about introducing them until Ollie is neutered and even after for a few weeks - so his hormones can wane. I say this also because Hooper already sounds like he'd be a bit more fearful/unsure/submissive.

 

[Kflowers]

For Hooper's peace of mind, be absolutely certain that you feed him the same thing you feed Ollie, AT THE SAME TIME. It doesn't matter if Hooper eats it, he just needs to have it offered same thing, every time Ollie gets it. This is VERY important in cat world/security. You can always at all times give Hooper treats and special stuff without giving them to Ollie. Ollie is just thrilled beyond anything to be safe. Giving treats to Hooper but not Ollie (Ollie doesn't need to see this, though he will smell the treats) will reinforce Hooper as being the senior cat and the house his. It will reassure him that he is special to you.

Yes, I know, but been there. We had to offer kitten milk to the older guys. They didn't want it, but they sat and waited to have it offered to them.

 

[Twylasmom]

Thanks for some more background. I would be VERY cautious about introducing them until Ollie is neutered and even after for a few weeks - so his hormones can wane. I say this also because Hooper already sounds like he'd be a bit more fearful/unsure/submissive.

This is my plan. He is eating a few bites here and there today but nowhere near his normal intake. I wish I hadn’t got rid of Twyla’s leftover Mirataz but I didn’t anticipate this situation. If it gets worse I will call my vet but they likely won’t prescribe without a visit which is more stress in itself. I was just with Ollie who scent marked all over me. once I came back downstairs Hooper was curious and sniffed me thoroughly but didn’t really react. He is trying to figure out where Ollie is, checking out cupboards, etc. I am going to try Feliway diffusers to see if they might help, I figure they can’t hurt. I’m not even trying to introduce them at this point. I don’t want Ollie out in the rest of the house (even with Hooper stashed away) until he is fixed to reduce the possibility of spraying.

This situation definitely shows the difference between ferals and strays. I try to provide Hooper a calm and loving environment so I’m feeling kind of guilty about subjecting him to this, but I really don’t know what else to do. All of our local rescues are stretched to the breaking point and Ollie was not going to continue to survive outside.

 

[Kris107]

Plan sounds good. If you feel overwhelmed, just take it a step at a time. Get Hooper back to himself and eating better. Then get Ollie fixed. Then worry about the rest after that.

 

[Twylasmom]

Hooper is eating a bit better today, not really interested in wet food but consuming a decent amount of dry, which he has always preferred. I know the intro process will likely be rough (once we get to it) but having Ollie hidden upstairs appears to have made Hooper more curious and active which is a good thing for him. So far there has been no interaction at the door (that I know of) and neither cat has reacted to the scent of the other on my hands or clothes.

Ollie is living for food and attention and it is obvious he was starved for both. He is so excited to get human attention that he is on and off my lap, licking my face and climbing all over me. Tomorrow I am testing him out with a timed feeder to get one of his daytime meals. I have been coming home from work in early afternoon to make sure he is getting lunch but I really can’t do that everyday!

This is my first time to have two boy cats!

 

[Margot Lane]

Can’t wait for the Hooper & Ollie Show Photos!

 

[Twylasmom]

Photos! Ollie is the skinny orange guy and Hooper is the big doofus.

 

[Margot Lane]

Ohhhh myyyy…. You really did save little Ollie just in time! I feel sure these 2 will eventually get along. Look how relieved and happy Ollie is!

 

[Twylasmom]

Not much to report. Hooper is mostly back to his normal self and I catch him coming down the stairs a couple of times a day so he is quietly aware that Ollie is in the spare room. Zero hostility or growling from either side. Ollie is growing more playful and loves his ping pong ball. He is so excited about food! Attention! More food! He will sometimes calm down enough to sit on my lap for about 30 seconds. This weekend I am going to stay in his room for a longer time then I can during the week and see if he will calm down a bit. I am looking forward to him filling out a bit but he definitely seems healthier and. more energetic!

 

[Twylasmom]

Ollie is starting to calm down a bit. He will play independently when people are in the room and understands that we don’t always bring food, though he gobbles it down when you do. He is still thin, but already looking better. Something unusual is that he doesn’t meow, occasionally he will let out a little whisper meow but that’s it. That means the little baby meows I am hearing from upstairs are Hooper outside of Ollie’s door!

Also, he has peed outside the box once. Definitely not marking behavior as there was no odor, thank goodness. Hopefully it was a one time thing but I have laid down pee pads outside the box to monitor the situation. It was right next to the box so I wonder if he was half in and half out of the box. Last night he used the box with no problem while I was in the room. He is a very long cat so he may need a jumbo litter box. Also, this happened after I cleaned the box with litter box wipes so maybe he didn’t like the smell?

 

[Twylasmom]

Someone is looking for trouble….or food.

 

[Twylasmom]

Ollie is still in isolation, he gets his snip on Thursday and a follow up dose of his flea/ear mite treatment. His ears are still bothering him a bit, though the black gunk in his ears is dissipating and the scab behind his right ear has fallen off. He is managing the occasional squeaky meow and eats and plays like a maniac. Very slowly filling out. He does have one eye that gets watery at times. Today he settled down on my lap for about three whole minutes (a record!). I have to be careful with his toys - he chewed the head off one and I found stuffing everywhere.

Hooper is 100% back to his normal self. Last night they had their first significant contact through the door. I only heard it, but there was a loud meow and Hooper came tearing down the stairs with his tail puffed out.

 

[Twylasmom]

Ollie has broken out of his room a couple of times when I was coming or going. I have let him wander around upstairs supervised and then pick him up and put him back in his room. Last night and today I have picked him up and noticed Hooper curiously watching from the bottom of the stairs. They definitely saw each other but made no moves both times. After putting Ollie in his room I went down and let Hooper smell me with no issues. So that’s a positive sign. Ollie’s neuter is tomorrow. I hope it will eventually calm him down a bit. He is a ball of energy! Still devours all meals in record time, which is going to be a challenge if they are ever going to eat together. Hooper isn’t a super motivated eater.

 

[Margot Lane]

I think this thread title needs a theme song. I’m totally adoring the ever-nearing bonding possibly occurring! Can’t wait for the next installment.

 

[Twylasmom]

I’m not sure about this new vet office that I am using for Ollie. They sent him home with no aftercare instructions, though they did call after the surgery and give me a detailed report on everything. He got an Onsior injection for pain and he is already playing even though he is unsteady on his feet. He has already peed in the litter box and had something to eat. I was sitting with him in his room but that seemed to make him even more active so I left. I can only hope that left on his own he will calm down and sleep. I remember Hooper being pretty restless after his surgery, too. But it’s a little stressful.

Hooper was at the door to Ollie’s room when I was leaving. He saw Ollie and hissed but that’s not surprising since Ollie smells like vet.

 

[Twylasmom]

Ollie appears to be recovering well from his neuter, aside from some throat irritation that is causing some coughing. I also split his meals into smaller portions since he vomited his dinner the night he got home from the vet. We appear to be past that now.

Hooper was hibernating in my bedroom this morning so I let Ollie out to explore the house for the first time while I cleaned and vacuumed his room. He is a very chill cat and calmly explored both up and down stairs and left a calling card in Hooper’s litter box in addition to scent marking with his face in several places. I am going to give him more time like this over the next week or two as we wait for his testosterone to diminish before starting face to face introductions.

My biggest hurdle is probably going to be initiating face to face contact without forcing the issue. Hooper is so timid that his go to response to new things is to go and hide under the covers. I just hope the fear isn’t channeled as aggression. I do have baby gates from the last time I had to do introductions. They are also total opposites when it comes to food. Hooper is a grazer and Ollie is a vacuum!