Conference misery::feline_v1

    We brought Elmo home about 3 weeks ago.  As of this writing, Portia
    has yet to accept him.  After about 2 weeks, Oscar accepted the
    fact that Elmo now lives with us, and I actually saw Elms and Osc
    cuddled up together cleaning eachother.
    
    Bot Portia, what a spoiled brat.  Week #1, she acted really depressed
    and suicidal - we caught her sitting in the middle of the road.
    Week #2 she overindulged in food.  This week, Portia has taken to
    chasing Elmo around the house.  
    
    I have taken the position that I am not going to interfere between
    the cats.  Even though Portia tends to abuse Elmo, Elmo has yet
    to learn to leave Portia alone.  He will still sneak up onher and
    attack her when she is sleeping.
    
    I feel relatively comfortable with the cat situation since I view
    their behavior as "bickering", and I feel confident that no blood
    will be shed between them.  I'm also hoping that when Elmo grows
    out of his kitten habits, Portia will mellow out.  My vet said that
    when we get Elmo neutered he should mellow out.  That happens next
    week, so we'll see.
    
    I like how you got 2 kittens to go with the 2 adults.  At least
    the kittens have eachother to be pals with, as do the adults.  But
    give them a couple weeks to get used to eachother, and to learn
    that the kitties are here to stay.
    
    	-Nancy
    
    

    It took Lightning a little while to accept Thunder into the household
    but she now lets *the baby* sleep with her and cleans her and plays
    with her.  It just takes time.
    
    Re .1         A Suicidal Cat ?????     I thought that was only a
    		                           *Human Trait*......
    
    Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder's mom)
    
    
    

    >Re .1         A Suicidal Cat ?????
    
    Actually, Portia has a difficult time remembering that she is the
    cat and I am the human.  I guess that was one of those times.
    
    	-Nancy (Portia's Pet Human)
    
    

    Could I ask if there are any more double-pawed  kittens where you
    got yours? I'm looking for a playmate for Sunshine, who is double-
    pawed, and we'd like another with the same trait.
    
    diane
    

    I talk to Bill Crue, from note 1794.  I am not sure if he has anymore
    double-pawed, but you could send him at note at bandit::crue.
    
    He is a nice guy.
    
    Good luck
    
    Kathy
    

    re: 0.4
    
    there are two grey cute double pawed kitties at my barn in Grafton.
    
    call me @ DTN 234-4678 for more info.
    
    Michele 

    Re: .1
    
    	My neice had the same problem.  She finally ended up calling
    a Vet for help.  His suggestion was to put the new arrival(s) in
    one of those pet carriers.  This will allow your "first cats" an
    uninhibited way of checking out (sniffing out their scent) the new 
    arrivals.  This worked for my neice.  Her two get along great!
    
    Good Luck!
    
    DJ

After a year of trying I finally found someone to help me access the
    notes file and I'm really enjoying it!  The Wilbourn method of
    introducing a new cat to the household has worked for me and for
    other people that have consulted me.  The whole idea is to let the
    cats with seniority decide that the new cats belong to them.  When
    the new kitten or cat is brought into the house get it settled in
    without too much fanfare, preferably in its own room or part of
    the house not frequented by established cats.  Then as difficult
    as it may be ignore the new arrival except for the basics.  Pay
    lots of attention to cats in residence and soon you will see them
    begin to show intrest in the new kids on the block.  When you feel
    the older cat has accepted the new one you can begin to pay more
    attention to it.  It also helps to refer to the new kitten as belonging
    to the older one.  I'm interested to know if this helps anyone.
    
    maryanne macdonald

    Don't get discouraged.  When I brought Amelia home and introduced
    her to Bailey it took weeks for Bailey to accept the fact that Amelia
    was a member of the household.  It took even longer for Bailey to
    truely accept the fact that Amelia was there "permanently".  I new
    I had finally succeeded in getting them introduced when Bailey remained
    in my lap after Amelia joined us.  For the longest time if I was
    playing with Bailey or petting her and Amelia came anywhere near
    us, Bailey would get up and leave.  They're inseparable now.  They
    groom each other, etc.
    
    After I brought Amelia home I used to talk to Bailey about "her"
    kitty.  Telling her that Amelia was her cat, asking her where
    her kitty was, etc.  It may not have really done much good but it 
    seemed to help.  That and making a point to show extra affection
    to Bailey especially when she seemed stressed by Amelia's presence.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Jan

    As of last Friday, I was all set to point out the good progress
    we've made introducing Firecloud to Yuri and Valentina.  Firecloud
    and Yuri have been wrestling, and Valentina would sometimes sniff
    Firecloud and allow him to sniff her.  She'd still hiss and swat
    at him though, when he'd get too unruly, and would frequently keep
    her distance.  It was funny seeing Firecloud chase one of the adults
    around the corner, only to see him running back a few seconds later.
    
    As of Saturday, we had to revise our view, though I think it's just
    a minor setback.  Firecloud was quiet Friday night, and Saturday
    morning he limped seriously, refusing to put down one of his paws.
    So, off to the vet.  The vet couldn't find any wound, but still
    diagnosed a bite, because of the limping, lethargy, and fever. 
    He's been on antibiotics since then (tastes good to me, I don't
    know why he doesn't like it), and after reaching a high of 105 on
    Sunday, his temperature was back down to a normal 101.5 last night
    (though he's gotten better at squirming; thankfully we have an electric
    thermometer).  
    
    Today is the first day we've let him out with the adults unsupervised.
    He hasn't learned his lesson yet, and still tries to sneak up and
    attack the other cats.  I realize he's just playing, but accidents
    obviously do happen.  I still have high hopes for all three cats
    being able to get along, but it will be a rough few months until
    Firecloud gets fixed.
    
       Gary
    
    PS I knew we should have taken more than one kitten, so they could
    play with each other and leave the grown-ups in peace.  We'll know
    for next time.

    Re:.8
    
    I have used the Wilbourn method since I first read about it 10 years
    ago and have always had great success.  I am breeding cats now and
    often have to introduce adult whole cats (breeding pairs), whole
    cats to new kittens, and kittens to their new (cat owning) homes
    (plus any other concievable combination).  
    
    The one thing that I do feel is very important is to give the newcomer
    adequate time alone in a seperate room.  Once they have fully explored
    the room, they seem to exude an air of confidence.  The next step
    for me is to casually open the door to their room, just a crack,
    and let the cats find each other by themselves.
    
    Glad to see that someone else uses Carol Wilbourns advice!
    
    Jo