We're adopting another cat

[Phoenix]

DH and I visiter her at her foster mom's home today. She's two years old, absolutely gorgeous with mesmerizing eyes! I'm in love!

Her foster mom rescued her when she was like 2-3 months old. Her foster mom gave her up for adoption previously to someone who for some reason freaked out and threatened to kill herself if the foster mom didn't take her back!

She's very tiny, even for a domestic Singapore cat, no doubt her growth has been stunted because of the tough life she's had. Even in her current foster home, three other grown much bigger cats gang up on her and beat her up. Poor thing! She's imprisoned herself in the foster mom's kitchen, only daring to go to the litter box in another part of the house if accompanied by her foster mom. We actually witnessed one of the bigger cats chasing her around today, looking very menacing!

Poor little thing also has some kind of ear infection, the fur behind her right ear is missing and the skin looks a bit tender and pink-ish, and the inside of the ear looks like there're some dark "bits" in it. Her foster mom has been giving her some antibacterial drops but she doesn't seem to know exactly what the cat has or what the appropriate treatment is. We intend to take her to the vet on Thursday before bringing her home and ask him to do a phlethora of tests and treatments on her. Can you please remind me what needs to be tested, other than ringworms, fleas, FIV, maybe even a rabies shot. I believe she's been spayed. We're planning to micro-chip her also.

At the moment, we're naming her "Snowy" due to her white fur, but I'd love it if you ladies and gents could help me decide an appropriate name for her - be it Snowy or some other name.

Also, our current cat Pumpkin who's 6 years old, is rather timid (but terribly affectionate). Are there any precautions or advice you could give us, to make sure that the two get along and that Pumpkin doesn't feel like our love has shifted toward the new cat. She's our first love and we fully intend to love them both equally.

 

[justginger]

Re: We're adopting a new cat

Yay! What a wonderful thing to do, Phoenix. I'm sure she'll be so much more comfortable in your home, where she's not constantly on the defensive.

I looked at her and "Geisha" popped into my head.

Perhaps try searching old threads for "new cat" - I remember there being pretty extensive advice given for introducing new cats. We do it all the time with our fosters. Some go better than others, much of it is dependent on their exact personalities. I no longer have a hard and fast system, much of how I introduce depends on how they are reacting to each other. There have been ones that must be separated and introduced at the pace of a dying snail, and others that see each other and just turn around and walk off, allowing nearly immediate introduction.

Thank you for opening your home to another furbaby. Good luck and give her a squeeze for me.

 

[Phoenix]

Re: We're adopting a new cat

Yay! What a wonderful thing to do, Phoenix. I'm sure she'll be so much more comfortable in your home, where she's not constantly on the defensive.

I looked at her and "Geisha" popped into my head.

Perhaps try searching old threads for "new cat" - I remember there being pretty extensive advice given for introducing new cats. We do it all the time with our fosters. Some go better than others, much of it is dependent on their exact personalities. I no longer have a hard and fast system, much of how I introduce depends on how they are reacting to each other. There have been ones that must be separated and introduced at the pace of a dying snail, and others that see each other and just turn around and walk off, allowing nearly immediate introduction.

Thank you for opening your home to another furbaby. Good luck and give her a squeeze for me.

THANK YOU, Ginger, for all the wonderful things you and your DH have done/ are doing for your furbabies.

Geisha, huh? That's sooo cute!! May I ask why?

I wasn't aware of the existence of these threads. I shall look them up. Thank you for letting me know.

I guess you're right (of course you are, you have so much experience fostering cats & kittens), there is only so much one can do. At the end of the day, cats do have their own personalities and they will behave as *they* see fit, lol. I am just hoping that since both of them are so docile, there won't be much fighting. One of the reasons this new cat appeals to us is because she's so timid, just like Pumpkin. Pumpkin is scared of anything and everything. She wasn't like that initially; in fact she used to be super-friendly and trusted everyone! She got lost for 3 months when we moved house and during those 3 months, she was on the street trying to survive and she must've been beaten up by some b*stard that now she's constantly suspicious of everyone and all the other cats!

 

[Enerchi]

Oh - what a GORGEOUS kitty you are adopting, Phoenix!! She looks so precious and elegant!! I love JG's name idea - Geisha! I can see her with that name - its the eyes, for me, that sold me on that name

But for you- I see high end, classy, designer (of which I am out of my realm...) so I'm throwing out - Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Louis(E! for the girl!), ELLE (still on the LV theme!), Versace.... yanno - classics like you!

Enjoy your new little furbaby!!

 

[justginger]

I don't know why I thought of Geisha - her eyes are particularly alluring, and that was my knee-jerk thought. I've never even considered it as a name for a foster or a pet in the past either.

I would say that for a normal introduction, be prepared for it to be a 7-10 day process. With grown cats coming into the house, we set them up in a spare room immediately, their 'base camp.' We don't even allow the cats to see each other for the first day or two. They can sense the other is there, no need for visual. After a couple of days, we'll put the new cat in the bathroom, and allow our resident cats to go into their base camp and smell around. The new cat is doing the same thing, in a room that smells like the residents. After an hour or so of that, they're swapped back. The new cat can then sniff around its own base camp and smell the resident cats have been there. Do this a few times over a day or two. Eventually we'll let them see each other. Usually it is by holding the new cat, firmly, and often with a hand on the back of the neck just in case a proper grab is necessary. There is often hissing at this point, but rarely do either of them actually try to attack each other. It's only happened for us when the new cat is a mother, hyped up on hormones and protective of her babies. If they are ok with each other, I'll get them nose to nose, and then take them apart again quickly, before any growling or spitting can happen. Put the new cat back in its base camp. I do this meet and greet up to 8 times in one day, for small amounts of time, over the course of two or three days.

Eventually it will get to the point that they must meet without you holding them. It's good to do this through a baby gate, if possible. Or by putting one in the cat carrier and allowing the other to approach from the outside. If you can't keep them apart while together, you have to be ready for a tussle. I usually keep a water spray bottle in my hand. And a towel, to throw on top of them if they're really upset. It's never come to that though. We've always resident cats that prefer flight over fight, and new cats are often docile (this new one of your's will be used to bullying, so I don't see her itching for a fight).

I think by the seventh day or so, it's ok to do introductions. I know other people wait longer than that. I've had experiences of the cats NEVER being able to coexist and the new cat always being quarantined (again, crazy mother cats), and also ones that were fully introduced and laying on the couch together after only one night of separation. Only you can judge how well it's going. Hopefully it will be a breeze for you.

 

[Rosebloom]

What a beauty!! Those eyes and that fur - stunning. She is extremely lucky to have been adopted by you!!

Love the name snowy and the other suggestions too. Other ideas: Shiro (white in Japanese) or Blanche (snow white in French).

 

[Missy]

Oh, what a sweet sweet girl! And what a wonderful thing you guys are doing!! It might take time but Pumpkin will come to love her. It's happened with all our cats and we didn't do anything special. Just introduce her slowly and keep her in another area for a while -we did that for less than a day and had a glass french door between them so they could see each other while in their separate spaces.

I think the tests you mentioned are the main ones and I am sure your veterinarian will know what needs to be done. When we adopted Tommy he had worms but it was easily treated and he was also stunted from the hard life he had and he was about 1 and a half to 2 years old and we thought he wouldn't grow anymore but he did! And now he is the size of an average size cat and not stunted anymore so she just might grow even at age 2!

I like the name Snowy but my dh said she looks like a Penelope.

Anyway, I am so happy you are adopting her and she is indeed a very fortunate cat to be coming into your family Phoenix!!!!
Many congrats on your new addition to your family!

 

[oranges]

First- congrats! I'm so happy that you can give another kitty a good home.

I just went through the process of introducing a new kitten this summer and it was really tough-- I almost gave up. Justginger gave me a ton of great advice and it worked out beautifully. It took about two weeks for the kittens to get along. But now, they are BEST FRIENDS and I love having two cats. They are practically inseparable.

I'm terrible with names-- so no fabulous suggestions there-- but good luck! She is gorgeous.

 

[justginger]

First- congrats! I'm so happy that you can give another kitty a good home.

I just went through the process of introducing a new kitten this summer and it was really tough-- I almost gave up. Justginger gave me a ton of great advice and it worked out beautifully. It took about two weeks for the kittens to get along. But now, they are BEST FRIENDS and I love having two cats. They are practically inseparable.

I'm terrible with names-- so no fabulous suggestions there-- but good luck! She is gorgeous.

It makes me so, so happy to hear how wonderfully your kitties are doing! You should be so proud of yourself for persevering, even when things were difficult. What an excellent job you have done.

 

[Missy]

First- congrats! I'm so happy that you can give another kitty a good home.

I just went through the process of introducing a new kitten this summer and it was really tough-- I almost gave up. Justginger gave me a ton of great advice and it worked out beautifully. It took about two weeks for the kittens to get along. But now, they are BEST FRIENDS and I love having two cats. They are practically inseparable.

I'm terrible with names-- so no fabulous suggestions there-- but good luck! She is gorgeous.

It makes me so, so happy to hear how wonderfully your kitties are doing! You should be so proud of yourself for persevering, even when things were difficult. What an excellent job you have done.

So happy it worked out Oranges!!!! It is wonderful to have another companion for a single cat. They usually are very social that way and crave the company of another cat according to my sister so it is so great that it worked out for the cats and for you!!!! Saved a life and gave your cat an amazing buddy for life in the process! Kudos!!!

 

[Phoenix]

Oh - what a GORGEOUS kitty you are adopting, Phoenix!! She looks so precious and elegant!! I love JG's name idea - Geisha! I can see her with that name - its the eyes, for me, that sold me on that name

But for you- I see high end, classy, designer (of which I am out of my realm...) so I'm throwing out - Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Louis(E! for the girl!), ELLE (still on the LV theme!), Versace.... yanno - classics like you!

Enjoy your new little furbaby!!

Ha ha, that's so cute! I love Gucci and Louise the most. Love Geisha too. Just have to convince DH!

You are too sweet! Muack!

 

[CJ2008]

Phoenix OMG she is so gorgeous! I love her.

And I'm so glad she's in a forever home now.

I'm not great with coming up with names...she's just so adorable, I'd just call her cutie all the time!

I've only done cat introductions once - with a young and a very senior cat. It was *not* easy (the process took months for me, but - I wasn't consistent, and the age difference plus the senior cat having sight and hearing issues did add a layer of complexity) but eventually I got them to the point that they could eat next to each other and the senior cat would tolerate the other cat. Took a lot of patience, a lot of focus on making sure positive things happened while they were together (they both got treats, both got affection, etc.) - but it did happen. I think the keys are patience and not trying to rush the process.

ETA: Ginger's advice is awesome! I would definitely follow that next time! (and actually I got a lot of guidance and help from here when I was introducing my 2 cats, which is what got me through it and got me as far as I did! This forum is so awesome) But mine really was a special case...I was really really protective of the senior cat because of his hearing/sight issues - the other cat is young and would pounce on him, and the senior cat didn't know what hit him...and I thought it was unfair to do that to him...

 

[Phoenix]

I don't know why I thought of Geisha - her eyes are particularly alluring, and that was my knee-jerk thought. I've never even considered it as a name for a foster or a pet in the past either.

I would say that for a normal introduction, be prepared for it to be a 7-10 day process. With grown cats coming into the house, we set them up in a spare room immediately, their 'base camp.' We don't even allow the cats to see each other for the first day or two. They can sense the other is there, no need for visual. After a couple of days, we'll put the new cat in the bathroom, and allow our resident cats to go into their base camp and smell around. The new cat is doing the same thing, in a room that smells like the residents. After an hour or so of that, they're swapped back. The new cat can then sniff around its own base camp and smell the resident cats have been there. Do this a few times over a day or two. Eventually we'll let them see each other. Usually it is by holding the new cat, firmly, and often with a hand on the back of the neck just in case a proper grab is necessary. There is often hissing at this point, but rarely do either of them actually try to attack each other. It's only happened for us when the new cat is a mother, hyped up on hormones and protective of her babies. If they are ok with each other, I'll get them nose to nose, and then take them apart again quickly, before any growling or spitting can happen. Put the new cat back in its base camp. I do this meet and greet up to 8 times in one day, for small amounts of time, over the course of two or three days.

Eventually it will get to the point that they must meet without you holding them. It's good to do this through a baby gate, if possible. Or by putting one in the cat carrier and allowing the other to approach from the outside. If you can't keep them apart while together, you have to be ready for a tussle. I usually keep a water spray bottle in my hand. And a towel, to throw on top of them if they're really upset. It's never come to that though. We've always resident cats that prefer flight over fight, and new cats are often docile (this new one of your's will be used to bullying, so I don't see her itching for a fight).

I think by the seventh day or so, it's ok to do introductions. I know other people wait longer than that. I've had experiences of the cats NEVER being able to coexist and the new cat always being quarantined (again, crazy mother cats), and also ones that were fully introduced and laying on the couch together after only one night of separation. Only you can judge how well it's going. Hopefully it will be a breeze for you.

Ginger, thank you soooooo very much for your very detailed advice. We shall follow it to the letter. It's really great that I am able to come to this board and get advice from all the cat experts and you are certainly THE ONE to go to.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of Pumpkin and our new cat.

 

[Phoenix]

What a beauty!! Those eyes and that fur - stunning. She is extremely lucky to have been adopted by you!!

Love the name snowy and the other suggestions too. Other ideas: Shiro (white in Japanese) or Blanche (snow white in French).

Thank you, Rosebloom. *We* are the lucky ones. And beautiful she certainly is. I've already suggested Blanche to DH but he won't have it, he says it sounds pretentious...he obviously doesn't know what he's talking about, silly man!

Love Shiro too. What a great suggestion!

 

[Phoenix]

Oh, what a sweet sweet girl! And what a wonderful thing you guys are doing!! It might take time but Pumpkin will come to love her. It's happened with all our cats and we didn't do anything special. Just introduce her slowly and keep her in another area for a while -we did that for less than a day and had a glass french door between them so they could see each other while in their separate spaces.

I think the tests you mentioned are the main ones and I am sure your veterinarian will know what needs to be done. When we adopted Tommy he had worms but it was easily treated and he was also stunted from the hard life he had and he was about 1 and a half to 2 years old and we thought he wouldn't grow anymore but he did! And now he is the size of an average size cat and not stunted anymore so she just might grow even at age 2!

I like the name Snowy but my dh said she looks like a Penelope.

Anyway, I am so happy you are adopting her and she is indeed a very fortunate cat to be coming into your family Phoenix!!!!
Many congrats on your new addition to your family!

Thank you so much, missy. And I am so glad that your Tommy gets on well with your other cat(s). Happy to hear also that our new cat may actually grow a bit more. She's so terribly tiny, am guessing she can't possibly weigh more than 5-6lbs at the moment, if that. I shall find out her weight for sure when we bring her to the vet.

Penelope? That's the name of one of my close friends and she's adorable!

 

[Phoenix]

First- congrats! I'm so happy that you can give another kitty a good home.

I just went through the process of introducing a new kitten this summer and it was really tough-- I almost gave up. Justginger gave me a ton of great advice and it worked out beautifully. It took about two weeks for the kittens to get along. But now, they are BEST FRIENDS and I love having two cats. They are practically inseparable.

I'm terrible with names-- so no fabulous suggestions there-- but good luck! She is gorgeous.

It makes me so, so happy to hear how wonderfully your kitties are doing! You should be so proud of yourself for persevering, even when things were difficult. What an excellent job you have done.

So happy it worked out Oranges!!!! It is wonderful to have another companion for a single cat. They usually are very social that way and crave the company of another cat according to my sister so it is so great that it worked out for the cats and for you!!!! Saved a life and gave your cat an amazing buddy for life in the process! Kudos!!!

YAY to you, oranges! And thank you!

 

[packrat]

yay for adopting! get some ear mite drops for her ears. ear mites make them scratch at their ears-- and will transfer to you other cats lickety split so treat ALL of the cats daily for about two weeks. can also use qtips to dig out some of the gunk.

 

[PintoBean]

How about Pie?

Prince(ss) Pumpkin and Princess Pie.

My parents have a princess pinto, daughter of queen bean - the mother and daughter rat terriers we adopted years ago. We do sound funny when we're calling out to them "Pinto BEAN!!! Pinto BEAN!!!"

 

[Phoenix]

yay for adopting! get some ear mite drops for her ears. ear mites make them scratch at their ears-- and will transfer to you other cats lickety split so treat ALL of the cats daily for about two weeks. can also use qtips to dig out some of the gunk.

OMG OMG! I just googled this after seeing your post. That's EXACTLY what she's got, judging from the images from my google search and your description.

Thank you for posting this. I shall keep the new cat away from Pumpkin and make sure she's treated. I assume I wouldn't have to treat Pumpkin as well if we keep the two cats well apart from one another?

 

[Phoenix]

Phoenix OMG she is so gorgeous! I love her.

And I'm so glad she's in a forever home now.

I'm not great with coming up with names...she's just so adorable, I'd just call her cutie all the time!

I've only done cat introductions once - with a young and a very senior cat. It was *not* easy (the process took months for me, but - I wasn't consistent, and the age difference plus the senior cat having sight and hearing issues did add a layer of complexity) but eventually I got them to the point that they could eat next to each other and the senior cat would tolerate the other cat. Took a lot of patience, a lot of focus on making sure positive things happened while they were together (they both got treats, both got affection, etc.) - but it did happen. I think the keys are patience and not trying to rush the process.

ETA: Ginger's advice is awesome! I would definitely follow that next time! (and actually I got a lot of guidance and help from here when I was introducing my 2 cats, which is what got me through it and got me as far as I did! This forum is so awesome) But mine really was a special case...I was really really protective of the senior cat because of his hearing/sight issues - the other cat is young and would pounce on him, and the senior cat didn't know what hit him...and I thought it was unfair to do that to him...

Thank you. I agree, Ginger's advice is awesome, yay!

I don't blame you for being protective your your senior cat, not when he has hearing and sight issues. We intend to love both cats equally and give them exactly the same care and treats etc, but will keep a close eye on them in case one bullies the other.

 

[packrat]

I'd still treat both just in case- they 're hard to get rid of and so irritating to the kitties while they have them, just to be on the safe side. we treated all of our cats for two weeks and now two of them are digging again, tho not as bad, so we 'll do it again for two weeks to all four. her sore will clear up really fast once you start treatment.

and I like geisha.

 

[Mayk]

Yeah!!! So sweet and going to a loving home!!!!

I like "Muse"... she just looks so sweet and beautiful... and dainty...

 

[Phoenix]

I'd still treat both just in case- they 're hard to get rid of and so irritating to the kitties while they have them, just to be on the safe side. we treated all of our cats for two weeks and now two of them are digging again, tho not as bad, so we 'll do it again for two weeks to all four. her sore will clear up really fast once you start treatment.

and I like geisha.

I see. Thanks for letting me know. I'd have been none the wiser.

Hope it clears up with your cats too.

Ha ha, another vote for Geisha!

 

[Phoenix]

How about Pie?

Prince(ss) Pumpkin and Princess Pie.

My parents have a princess pinto, daughter of queen bean - the mother and daughter rat terriers we adopted years ago. We do sound funny when we're calling out to them "Pinto BEAN!!! Pinto BEAN!!!"

LOL! That's soooo cute!! Precious, in fact!

LOVE Princess Pie (in addition to Princess Pumpkin)!

 

[Phoenix]

Yeah!!! So sweet and going to a loving home!!!!

I like "Muse"... she just looks so sweet and beautiful... and dainty...

Thank you, sweetie.

 

[purplesparklies]

Awwww! She is precious! Enjoy your new love!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Oh my god! I'm in love Phoenix! Those eyes! I didn't think I would be able to see it in a picture, but my my my... She's a looker!

For names, how about Olivia. I've always loved that name.

Or Sophia is cute and wholesome.

Or Pandora... I feel like that names makes her a free spirit, mysterious and sexy.

Or Shahrazad, it's different but she's smart and witty

And I really love Evelyn. Sweet, sexy and smart.

 

[Alexiszoe]

Phoenix,

that is so sweet of you and your DH to adopt another cat! Goodness knows there are so many stray cats in need of love, and how wonderful of you guys to open your hearts and home to her...she looks absolutely adorable too!

I do hope you post pics of how she gets along with your family and Pumpkin when she finally moves in!

 

[04diamond<3]

Oh my god! I'm in love Phoenix! Those eyes! I didn't think I would be able to see it in a picture, but my my my... She's a looker!

For names, how about Olivia. I've always loved that name.

Or Sophia is cute and wholesome.

Or Pandora... I feel like that names makes her a free spirit, mysterious and sexy.

Or Shahrazad, it's different but she's smart and witty

And I really love Evelyn. Sweet, sexy and smart.

Haha, weird to see my name as an animal name! Pheonix!!! She's adorable!!!! How sweet of you guys to adopt another one! She's just beautiful! We have two. One's named Spunk (he's a fluffy cow) and the other is Mittens who is all black with white paws and bib. how about Nina for a name? I think it's beautiful! Anyways, good luck!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

I also like Sophie. Similar to Sophia. Sophie sounds affectionate, caring, sweet.