owlmoose | cat advice

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cat advice

I know a lot of you are cat people, so I thought this might be a good place to ask this question.

Cat negotiations have been going very well lately. T is more than coming around to the idea -- in fact, he's actually started feeling the need to have cats around again. So he's become a lot more open to the idea of cat "shopping" (not that we'll buy one, we'll probably go through a friend of his who works with a rescue group), and I think it will probably happen soon.

One thing is still holding him back, though: he's worried about Nadia's ghost. Specifically, her scent. How completely do we need to de-Nadia-ify the apartment? Do we need to get rid of everything she ever used? Or can we reuse her old litterbox, dishes, carrier, etc.? All have been washed, but I realize that probably doesn't get every scrap of scent out. What about the old cat-tree? (That seems iffier to me than the others, since cats do mark those with the scratching.) T found some websites that went so far as to recommend shampooing the carpet and furniture upholstery and getting rid of all area rugs. That seems like overkill to me, but maybe not.

Nadia was my first kitty, so this is the first time I'll ever have gotten a "replacement" cat and all this is new to me. How much should we be concerned about this? I know that cats are territorial, and I want the new kitty/ies to feel comfortable in the new home, but I'd rather not have to turn the place upside down to acheive that. Any and all thoughts are appreciated.

Happy kitty.

I'll have what she's having.

Go Giants.

Nadia sleeps (this is the userpic photo).

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You probably can't get rid of it entirely. I would just buy a new scratching post and wash whatever you can, but getting rid of rugs etc. does seem like overkill. My dad's got 4 cats, and when my older brother came to visit in August our puppy was all over him because she could smell the cats on his clothes. One washing later, they were fine.

I have lived with a succession of cats and have never heard of a problem with a new cat being troubled by the scent of its predecessor. Of course, I have never been completely catless for more than a few days (hours). I commend your taking a shelter cat; they can break your heart when you see how many are needful. Prudence came from the Atlanta Humane Society and Charity from a neighhbor's personal rescue mission.

Truly, KJ, I don't see any reason to go to extremes unless Nadia died of a contagious disease like leukemia. All of my cat owned acquaintances IRL have had no more difficulty than I in introducing a new feline into a formers pet's enviroment. This sounds like an invented problem from which some one is profiting.

Please note: I could so easily be wrong and the modern cat could have developed an enormous sensitivity to being a second cat. I have heard of pigs flying and there is a brisk sale on ice-skates taking place in Hell. LOL

I forgot to mention - since you are now working and away from home much of the day, it would be a kindness to adopt two little ones so that they can entertain one another. And be sure to bring them home at a time at least one of you will be around for a while. No adopting kitties and promptly going on holiday for a few days. (I have known people to do that.) One more thing, do not overlook the older animals. So many persons are drawn to the cute kitties and do not consider a refined, elegant lady like my love Prudence who was young but fully grown when she came to live with me. This is so exciting and I am so glad it is starting to happen for you. whee!

I wouldn't worry about it. No doubt, other cats have lived in places where we moved with Mough and Chutney in the past and they were never bothered by it.

For the new cat(s), there will be a certain smell to the place when they move in (you, Nadia, other things) and they just adapt. They'll quickly mark it all as their own.

I might get a new litterbox though. Just because they're cheap and the new one would be totally clean.

I agree with the lot here. You won't have to change much, although I would get a new litterbox. When Taisha died, I already had Bailey so she was used to her scent. I kept most of Taisha's toys for Bailey since they were in good shape, but I also bought her some new stuff just so she can have something of her own, ya know? I wouldn't worry about anything else.

The hardest part for me having new kitties to replace my Taisha was their personalities and habits. Like- Taisha was a mush; I could hold her, get kisses from her, she never bit or scratched when I played with her and she was basically very easy going.

Now I have a snooty [but loveable] female [Bailey], a scaredy cat [Milo], and a really overly needy [Casey] cat. None of them like to be held, they are stingy with their kisses and they always have to use their claws when they play. They are loving though, but only to a degree.

Bailey is such a drama queen she growls if I'm bothering her. It was very unnerving for me at first b/c Taisha NEVER hissed or growled, no matter how much I would bother her. It has been a very interesting four years so far with these three. I'm happy with them though. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

You probably don;t need to change all that much, though the litter box and the scratching post should probably go (also, your new kittie(s) might like completely different things- for example, neither of mine really like the "proper" scratching post, but Theo loves the cardboard ones you keep on the floor and Jazzi likes rope hung from the door)

And the smell thing is wierd, mine never seem to notice when I have been at E's house playing with 3 other cats (very affectionate cats) and a dog...I am starting to think the whole sense of smell thing is overblown.

Also, definitely get two if you can. It may be hard being used to une because often they will pay more attention to each other than to you, but that is a good thing if you are away from the house a lot :)
and you are a two lap household, so there will be room for everyone!

Thanks! I think you are right, and everyone else seems to agree with you.

(BTW, thanks for the review also. You should learn Brac's fate in the next chapter. Given that Mika has been Grand Maester for 50 years now, I don't think it's unrealistic for Auron to assume that Brac is still in power. It's like the Mayor in Buffy, if you ever watched that.)

Nadia died of kidney failure, probably congenital since she was only 6, so heath risks are not a concern. Thanks for sharing your experience!

BTW: two cats are definitely the plan. I got Nadia when I was living in a studio apartment and barely had room for one cat. Here there is much more space and I agree about them providing companionship for one another. T is mostly on board with this. We are also thinking about adult cats as well, because we live in a loft with no bedroom door. Kittens jumping on our faces at 3am because they haven't learned that it's not playtime is not our idea of fun. Now, I might be tempted by kittens anyway, because they are just. so. cute. But T is pretty firm about wanting adults. In the end, of course, it all depends on where love finds us. :)

The new litterbox seems to be consensus. If we do get two cats, and that's the current plan, should we get two right away or see if it's necessary first?

Thanks!

That's a good point, about cats having different scratching tastes. I think I do want a traditional "cat tree" type post, just because all cats like sitting on them, but we probably shouldn't lay in a general scratcher supply until we learn these cats' tastes.

Two cats is definitely the plan. I would have gotten two before, but my old studio was barely big enough for one cat!

Y'know, I realize intellectually that new cats won't be Nadia, that they will have their own quirks and personalities, but I bet it will still be a shock when it happens. But this is a good reminder. Thanks.

Some say that only cats are more loving and affectionate to their humans than those in multi-cat households. Do you think that was the case with Taisha vs. your current brood, or is it just the differences in cats?

I've managed to train all of my cats to allow a certain amount of holding and cuddling. Basically, I pick them up and hold them firmly for a few seconds. Then I put them back down, hold them with a hand in front of their chest so that they can't immediately take off, then pet them the way they like best for five minutes (or as long as they let me, the first couple of times they tend to take off pretty quickly). As they get more comfortable with it, and more used to the idea, I hold them a little bit longer, petting and praising while I do. They quickly associate the holding with the petting, and eventually begin to relax in my arms. Neither of my cats particularly LOVE being held (they don't exactly jump up into my arms for it), but it's so soothing to me and they get attention and love from putting up with it so now they purr when I do it. I did it once a day at first, but now just as needed (by me). Ed even lets me hold her upside down and rub her belly, though she bitches the entire time (and then stands there to wait for her petting when I put her down. I'd believe the bitching more if she took off right away.)

I used the same technique to train them to let me put my face near theirs, though I waited a while after I got them before trying it. You can train them if they shy away, but not if they lash out. Quito prefers face rubbing to being held, Ed's the other way around.

Of course, if they really freak out, I don't force them. I don't want them to associate me with stress. Trust tends to take a little longer with my rescue cats than the ones I inherited from friends or the cat I got as a kitten when we rescued her mother.

My cats do fine with only one litter box, though when Gilgamesh was around we had two. I think it might depend if they come as kittens and getused to that, or if they come as adults with different habits...

For the twelve years I had Taisha she was the only cat, so yeah- I think that might have a lot to do with it. Bailey is good one on one, but she gets jealous around the other two. I pick my battles with her when it comes to petting her. If she wants it, then I'll pet her and she's so loveable, but if she doesn't and I notice it I just stay away until she comes to me. I give my cats equal time I think. I thought that having multiple cats it would be hard to spread the love around, but really it isn't. At some point every day I have single time with each of them without my even realizing it. It's weird how that works out.

As for the holding- I don't really hold them much. I'll pick one of them up, give them a kiss then put them back down. Casey I hardly ever hold because his body is so complicated [His body is big, head is small, feet are massive]. I have such a hard time holding him, lol. Milo is the most easygoing, but he gets scared when we approach him at first. He still has trust issues even after three years. We are careful with him. He's getting better though which is good.

I have two litter boxes for my two cats. However, this is essentially a proximity thing. One is on the screened front porch so that they may be confined there in case of intruders (visitors, repairmen, etc.) inside the house proper. I think, in general, two cats should be able to share a single box unless they are an Odd Couple and one is a neat-freak.

He still has trust issues even after three years.

Was he abused before you adopted him? Nadia was like that, but it was just her personality -- she lived with my aunt before she came to me, and I know she was well-treated there. Apparently her whole litter was like that, generally scared of people.

Cats are fickle. They want love when they want it, and the rest of the time, eh. So unlike dogs in that respect. Partly why I'm a cat person instead. :)

Differences in cats. I get swarmed by Mough and Chutney.

They also only have one litter box. We've been thinking of a second if we can think of a good place to put it. But only because the house is so big.

I don't think the sense of smell thing is overblown. I just think it doesn't matter much if there's not a "foreign" cat around.

When I come back from being away or being with other cats, some of my clothing and belongings get very thoroughly sniffed by Chutney. She's curious, she's processing, but she's not put out.

Likewise, when Mough has done something to make him smell wrong (rolled in a wet tub that had scented oils; gotten crap on his fur) it turned him into a "foreign" cat in Chutney's eyes and it took a while (2 weeks the first time) for them to be comfortable with each other again.

I forgot you have a girl-cat named Ed! ;)

I wouldn't ditch the scratching post. The new cat will scratch it and mark it with its own scent. I reused scratching posts and you can bet if there'd been a problem, Miss Peeing Cat would have let me know.

BTW I have some cat furniture you're welcome to borrow. It's great furniture. I say borrow because there's some possibility the cats may be allowed back inside. And no, they have never been peed on.

I've always had two cats. They've always been affectionate, at least with me. I picked cats in the pound that were affectionate with me there. I figured if they could be affectionate in that stressful environment, they'd be great cats.

Sorry to add to this pile of advice but MC just had to get a word in. He advises you to accustom your cats to having their paws handled and to clip the very tips of their claws on a weekly basis. Make it a time of cuddling and love and they should adapt well. The regular clipping will keep the quicks retracted and save you a lot of tsouris with furniture shredding and holes in the dermis of you and T. With one person to hold and the other to clip, it is a quickly done task.

He has just come by and asks me to tell you that you can easily see where the vein runs in the claw. Be careful not to clip in that area, just take the clear tip of the little dagger.

MC also wants you to understand that no matter your intentions, the cats will ultimately make the decisions and there is no appeal process. He wishes you much happiness with the felines. BTW: he has lived with and been dominated by cats all his life, never having been a doggy person. He once had a cat give birth in the drawer holding his best sweaters and did not utter a word of complaint. Now, that is a cat-lover!

Milo was just a month old stray head butting my window screen when I lived with my mom in her apartment. He was part of a feral litter that he got separated from. It's odd cuz when I brought him inside he was very friendly and as he got older he became frightened of people. As far as I know I didn't treat him poorly or anything, I guess he just became that way. He's such a doll though. I love this cat so much. When I look at him it's just instant love, ya know? I mean, I love my other two, but there's something about Milo I can't put my finger on.

Feral cats are tough. You'd think that only a month of it wouldn't matter so much, but that time is key for getting used to people. Or so I hear. But of course the cat's own personality has as much to do with it as anything.

I love this cat so much. When I look at him it's just instant love, ya know?

:) There is something so sweet about kitty love. Maybe they only care because we pet them and feed them, but we still get so much back. *Sigh* I have been missing cats. I'm really glad we've started getting somewhere in our plans to get some!

Hmm, is Ed named for who I think she is? ;)

That's interesting that you've managed to train your cats like that. Some people say that cats are untrainable, but I hear stories like yours and am unconvinced.

The face thing I've never had trouble with. Most of the cats I've known will touch noses with you if you approach them right. Nadia used to do that, and it was so cute!

I don't think the sense of smell thing is overblown. I just think it doesn't matter much if there's not a "foreign" cat around.

So it sounds like the foreign scent matters, but the actual presense of an intruder matters much more. In your experience, at least. That makes a lot of sense.

We have two cat trees. One is basically dead and lives upstairs; the other is newer and lives downstairs. I'm starting to think that we will ditch the old one for sure, maybe move the new one upstairs or get rid of it entirely, and definitely get a new one for downstairs. If nothing else, for two cats we will need something larger than the one we have now.

I may well take you up on that cat furniture offer. Let's talk offline, after I have a chance to share all this with T.

Has your cat situation improved?

He once had a cat give birth in the drawer holding his best sweaters and did not utter a word of complaint. Now, that is a cat-lover!

No wonder you keep him around! ;)

Claw clipping is one of those things I know of as a good idea in theory but didn't do because Nadia would never, ever allow it. Ever. I had been thinking of incorporating into the new cat routine, but the reminder is appreciated.

the cats will ultimately make the decisions and there is no appeal process

This is so, so true. They do manage to get their way in most things. Never try to out-stubborn a cat.

I'd forgotten what a beautiful kitty Nadia was. Thanks for sharing the pics.

I would get a new litter box, as it's most likely to retain scents the new kitty might find objectionable and cause problems with box-training. I had that problem when I brought a new kitty into an established-cat household, before I realized the new cat was *much* more particular about her toilet facilities than my other cat and would not use a dirty box.

I've re-used food dishes with no problem, just make sure they're clean. The cat tree, well, I once bought a used cat tree and my cats refused to go in it. They sniffed it and spurned it, so I assume they hated the way it smelled. But I have a friend who just bought a used cat tree and her cat appears to be fine with it. So that's a cat by cat issue, I guess.

As for things other things that might have scent, I think it might cause the new kitty some concern that should fade as soon as they realize the other cat is not in the apartment. I'd vacuum well, or washed things if they're small enough to do that easily.

You're the 4th of my friends who has or will be obtaining a new kitty this fall. I think there's something in the air.

I was hoping you would weigh in. And I'm glad to see that you pretty much agree with the concensus. Thanks!

You're the 4th of my friends who has or will be obtaining a new kitty this fall.

It's cat season! :)

Nadia is so cute! I love her tail, it's all bushy, like a fox.

Thanks! Yes, she had a most glorious tail. It was almost as long as the rest of her, and so soft, as was the rest of her fur. She was a wonderful kitty and I miss her a lot. But it's been a long time (she passed away in December) and I am ready to have cats in my life again.

Aww sorry about that, it hurts to loose a pet, especially a cat or a dog, i remember when my Smut died. We still have Smokey though.

It's gotten to the point where i can't imagine my life without a cat. They're very theraputic.

Thanks, again. It's been weird not having a cat for so long. I've actually been wanting to get cats for awhile, but T has only been ready since fairly recently. I'm hoping to get a couple of cats soon. It'll be fun, having them around again.

Yeah, i think having 2 or 3 cats is great because that way they can keep each other company if you're not around.

Yup. That's her in my icon. Isn't she beautiful?

Not "for" so much as "because". Here's the story of her name, if you're interested. (It's on my old LJ that I lost and then found again after I'd opened a new one.) http://www.livejournal.com/users/iam_iambe/490.html

I suppose with cats it's not so much training as negotiation. I do know that the training goes both ways. I like to think that I'm more aware of it as a deliberate tool than the cat. I like to think that, but it's probably not true.

That is a *wonderful* story.

We had a cat named Patches when I was growing up. She always responded to her name, but we always figured it was just because of the tone of our voice or something similar. Then one day my mom was saying something to my dad about sewing some patches onto my brother's jeans, and she looked up! It was a cool moment.

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