Introducing a new cat into the family

[Jeraly 4]

BooooO!!!! Let me know when you manage it!!! I don't check this thread often - it's only cause I am bored!! jeremy has gone home so I am whiling away the time!!

[Mags 112]

So anyway, thanks to Mags and a few others around here I got thinking about adopting a new cat! Yesterday I was at Petco and saw a lovely grey cat! I left my name and number for the adoption agency, letting them know I was interested in adopting. They called this morning and asked if I could come over to officially meet him, so naturally I said yes! Thirty minutes later we were walking ou the door with a new cat!

Right now I have him separated from my other cat and dog. I did bring the cat in while the new cat was still in his carrier and they hissed at eachother like crazy! The dog nor the new cat seemed much bothered with eachother. How long should I wait before I integrate the new cat into the whole house? Or should I just let him wander around? He is sitting by the bedroom door waiting to get out!

Mags, I am especially looking to you here for advice! This is all your fault, posting that beautiful grey cat Chip on the forum!

Which leads me to my new dilemma, what to name the new fella?

Advice, please my VJ friends!!!

Normally, I do throw them in together and let them work it out. I just remain on hand in case things get too violent. However, with Chip (the grey) and Snowball (er...the white) I was a bit more careful. I kept Chip in the old part of the house away from the other (5 at the time). I gave him a couple of days there to acclimatise and then just opened the doors and let them have at it. They were fine and there was no fuss.

Snowball was a very timid cat, very skittish, so I kept him in the main part of the house (with Chip, who is a softy), again for a couple of days or so, and let him just get used to his surroundings a bit. He disappeared for a couple of days behind the sofa. So I bought him a cat bed of his own and put it in his "spot". He'd sleep there and venture out a little for food every day, to poop or just have a brief look around.

After that I just opened the doors again and let them all mingle.

I'd be lying if I said there are no scuffles - there are, frequently, but it IS going to happen with 7 cats. It isn't ever anything serious and tends to just be Billy Butt-Holes who starts it. He's the youngest (only around 8 months old) and he loves to play fight...but he does get carried away which the older cats don't like.

Mostly I just get growls and occasional hisses from them and they all sort themselves out.

Good luck with the new cat, Julezabelle. I'd just say see what the new cat's personality is like and take it from there. The more timid cats might need a couple of peaceful days, the confident ones can be chucked in with the rest!

As to names, I just kept Chip and Snowball - it was their names in the shelter as I hate naming animals.

Ooohhh - we can help with names when we get piccies!!! oooh - so exciting!! I do treat Daisy like my kid though so I do wonder how I could juggle five like Mags!!

My dog's name is Daisy! My other cat is Rory, but better known as Chubbs.

Did you know that Mags now has 7 cats??????????

I do.

It's an odd number you know. Think I need another. j/k

Edit: I've got my cats on Catbook too.

Edited December 30, 2007 by Mags

[Jeraly 4]

Ahhh! But I haven't found you on facebook yet so!!!

Daisy was originally "Dotty"... I just couldn't leave her with that for fear of repercussions from the RSPCA I wanted to call her Fido for a laugh but I think it was Jeremy who actually came up with Daisy *and* he is a Dog Lover!! (Boo hiss!!)

7 is defo an odd number.... and a prime number... hmmm... but you also have lucky 7s... Now personally I like multiples of fives which means you need another three cats... You have a very tolerant husband Mags

[Mags 112]

Ahhh! But I haven't found you on facebook yet so!!!

Daisy was originally "Dotty"... I just couldn't leave her with that for fear of repercussions from the RSPCA I wanted to call her Fido for a laugh but I think it was Jeremy who actually came up with Daisy *and* he is a Dog Lover!! (Boo hiss!!)

7 is defo an odd number.... and a prime number... hmmm... but you also have lucky 7s... Now personally I like multiples of fives which means you need another three cats... You have a very tolerant husband Mags

I'll PM you my name on Facebook. Hubby loves cats, although he pretends to moan about them. Snowball is ALL his doing though - I was happy to stop at 6, but he wanted Snowball and I told him that one more at this point just isn't going to matter!

[Jeraly 4]

Good call!! I think it has only been recent years where I have really appreciated cats - Jasper was really my brother's but then he left home and was kind of adopted by my mum's OH although he lived in the family home Jasper kind of attached himself to Pete although I did love him - he just preferred men - we always joked he was a little bit gay - he used to lie on his back with his paws all bent over in camp-esque fashion

A year after Jasper died all I wanted was a cat - I had got used to Jasper not being around but from time to time I still saw him at the back door - a black blurry shadow, and I would open it and see nothing, only to remember he wasn't around. When mum asked me what I wanted for Christmas last year, all I could tell her was a cat - I said I wasn't expecting to have one but that she was asking what I wanted and I was just telling her - short of that I didn't want anything big - books, dvds - the usual

Now mum loves birds (oh dear - this has turned into a life story!) and swore she wouldn't have another cat. However, my mum's OH is 16 years older than her and has an elderly mother (93). Her cat had died and she wanted another one - she got "Dotty" but couldn't cope with her - she was very playful, didn't like being kept inside, would fight as well as play - a very "catty" cat - she was boss and no-one could tell her what to do. Now she had come from a rescue home that was less than satisfactory and my mum's OH really didn't want to take her back there... So with a bit of cajoling I got my way - I had my cat for Christmas

I swear that without her I would have gone crazy this past year - I treat her like she is my child - she can be naughty but she is also very playful - when Jeremy was here she even got into bed with us as there was a little tent under the covers between where we lay (normally she doesn't bother because the duvet is too heavy with just me under it)

Ok... I'm going to shut up now - I went on a bit of a catty rant!

[Fandango 1,439]

Pics! Pics! Pics!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeraly 4]

Lol I can't seem to get mine on here and I think julez is having issues as well... I don't even know where half of mine of Daisy are as I have some beautiful ones of her in a pink carrier bag but don't know where they are!!!

[*julez* 124]

Pics! Pics! Pics!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Lisa!

I am definitely doing something wrong as I can't seem to upload the pics! Any suggestions? I'm such a n00b when it comes to this stuff.

And I'd like to announce that with Jeraly's blessing, we have named our new fella Jasper! When we saw that name in the thread, we all just loved it!

He's been adjusting nicely, wandering all over the house and coming back for some love periodically! Rory, however, is none too happy! He keeps growing and hissing. Jasper's not bothered about the dog, nor is she bothered with him! So, all in all, so far so good.

[Jeraly 4]

Oh I am so chuffed!! (UK word?!) that Jasper lives on!! I couldn't get my pic s of Daisy to even upload to my website let alone on here so not sure what is going on!!! Seems to be a little sporadic when I can get pics to work!! Will see if I can find that nice pink bag one

[Fandango 1,439]

Pics! Pics! Pics!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Lisa!

I am definitely doing something wrong as I can't seem to upload the pics! Any suggestions? I'm such a n00b when it comes to this stuff.

And I'd like to announce that with Jeraly's blessing, we have named our new fella Jasper! When we saw that name in the thread, we all just loved it!

He's been adjusting nicely, wandering all over the house and coming back for some love periodically! Rory, however, is none too happy! He keeps growing and hissing. Jasper's not bothered about the dog, nor is she bothered with him! So, all in all, so far so good.

Erm, when you do a full reply (and not a fast one)...look below the box you type in...it should say 'attach file'...hit browse, find the file, and attach!

You could upload them to photobucket or another photo hosting site & then just paste them as images too, btw....

CONGRATS on the interview btw...I just noticed it in your siggy! holy smokes that's a fast one!!!!

Edited December 30, 2007 by LisaD

[Jeraly 4]

Yeah - I give the whole linking thing a go but I think maybe I have pic issues or something... maybe I should get counselling... o.O

Either way - I'm still trying to hunt down that cyoot pic

[Jeraly 4]

Any joy with pics of little Jasper yet?!

[Mags 112]

Pics! Pics! Pics!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Lisa!

I am definitely doing something wrong as I can't seem to upload the pics! Any suggestions? I'm such a n00b when it comes to this stuff.

And I'd like to announce that with Jeraly's blessing, we have named our new fella Jasper! When we saw that name in the thread, we all just loved it!

He's been adjusting nicely, wandering all over the house and coming back for some love periodically! Rory, however, is none too happy! He keeps growing and hissing. Jasper's not bothered about the dog, nor is she bothered with him! So, all in all, so far so good.

Jasper is a gorgeous name. I had a big, ginger fluff ball a few years called Jasper too. Great choice for a name!

[Nessa 23]

Congratulations!!

Even I want a new cat now

[Ban Hammer 13,332]

Congratulations!!

Even I want a new cat now

:no: