Conference misery::feline_v1

    opps.  the end should read:
    
    and not jumping at each new sound.  I'm sure in a few weeks she
    will welcome a new playmate (kitten).  The two of them will have
    lots of fun!
    
    Good luck and don't forget to write us about her antics!
    
    E.T.

>    	Would it be better to confine her to one small room (bathroom)
>    	for a week to make her feel more secure, or should I let her
>    	have the run of the house?
    
I think she will be okay with the run of the house - she is using the
cat box.  For security, you might close her up in a bedroom when too
much noise/activity happens, but a bathroom is a little small for any
long duration confinement.

>    	Would it be a good idea to get a kitten right away for company
>    	for her, or wait a month or more, OR should I introduce a young
>    	adult?

Opinions will differ - I think you need to let her get settled in with
YOU TWO, but not long enough to become super possessive with the house...
easy to figure out, right?  Try giving her a month to get her bearings,
and if she is coming around to you and being friendly, then consider
adopting a playmate.

>    	Should I get a male or a female - does it matter?  She has lived with
>    	an older cat in the previous home.
    
I would consider the "catonality" of both cats - a spayed female or young
female might be just fine (if a baby, expect problems around the time the
kitten should be spayed).  You obviously don't want a very aggressive
playmate - from what you've said, your lady is a bit reticent....I prefer
to mix the sexes of my pets because I've always had good luck with that...
but, Hannah and Tabby (a 4 year old and a 16 year old female) are very
active with each other - tag, mock fights, etc.  and when either one
is feeling down, the other checks up on her, so that puts a lie to me
pet theory, doesn't it?  

>    	I really hope this works out for all concerned, because it's nice
>    	having a cat around the house again :-)
    
Dee,

if you are patient, it will....enjoy!

				D    

    Congratulations Dee,
    
    Welcome to Felines.  I have  four female kittys, all spayed.  I have
    always brought them in as babies except for the last one.  She is a
    stray we adopted during the bad storms.  The babies were always
    accepted but the adult female is having a tougher time.  I opt for
    bringing in a baby.  I also would wait about a month or two so she can
    have a little more confidence before introducing her to a playmate.
    
    My second kitty, DejaVu, is half Siamese and very timid.  She has never
    outgrown it.  She does play with Thunder and sometimes plays with
    Lightning but is TERRIFIED of Patches the Stray.  My guess is your
    kitty will always be a little timid but would also love the
    companionship a playmate brings with it.
    
    I have never confined my kittys, again except for the stray, and things
    have worked out nicely.  Lightning, the Queen, has looked like she is
    *killing* the new baby, but in fact is teaching it manners.  When she
    had enough of playtime, she would just *sit* on the baby.
    
    Good luck with your new baby and do keep us informed of her newest
    antics.
    
    Sandi and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    Welcome to FELINE!!  Always glad to have another cat lover.
    As someone in a previous note said, opinions will differ, and its true.
    
    
       >Would it be better to confine her to one small room (bathroom)
       >for a week to make her feel more secure, or should I let her
       >have the run of the house?
       
    I'd let her have run of the house.  As long as she's able to
    remember where the catbox is I"d let her have access to every-
    thing.  Remember that cats, unlike dogs, jump up onto things
    and if you have precious breakables, you might want to move them
    to another area, or pack them away until she's used to getting
    around.  Then you'll know where her "pathways" are and can avoid
    putting anything breakable there.
    
       >Would it be a good idea to get a kitten right away for company
       >for her, or wait a month or more, OR should I introduce a young
       >adult?
    
    Personally, I'd get another kitten right now.  There are TONS of 
    stray kittens available at this time of year and they'll have a
    chance to claim territory together.  You'll avoid the "What's
    this new kitten doing in MY territory" battles.  Besides, I think
    she'd probably enjoy the company during the day especially if 
    she was used to feline company.  BTW - you don't have to declaw
    the newcomer unless you find that s/he is using her claws to
    advantage.
    
       >Should I get a male or a female - does it matter?  She has lived with
       >an older cat in the previous home.
    
    In my opinion it doesn't matter.   We have 8 permanent residents 
    of various sexes, and I even have two unaltered adults (one of each)
    who are purebreds and part of my cattery.  The personality of the
    cat is more important than its sex as long as you're going to 
    neuter everybody. 
    
       >I really hope this works out for all concerned, because it's nice
       >having a cat around the house again :-)
    
    Enjoy.  I'm sure it will workout just fine.  There will probably
    be some hissing when you introduce the new member, but ignore it.
    They'll work it out.  My general rule is, unless you see blood,
    don't interfear.
      Nancy DC
    

    Enjoy your new kitty!.....give her a little time, she justs needs
    to adjust to the new environment.  Give her a few weeks, and then
    get kitty # two.  She probably would adjust better to a youngster,
    and as its kitten season, you are going to have one hard time
    choosing from all the cute babies.  :-)
                                           
    Let her have the run of the house, spend as much quality time with
    her that you can, and let her know she is *loved*.
    
    ENJOY!
    
    Lynne
    

    
    
    	UPDATE:
    
    
    	May Ling has the run of the house.  She finally came out of hiding
    	Tuesday night.  She came into the livingroom and jumped on the lap
    	while I was watching TV.  She was purring like a little motorboat.
    	She had hardly eaten anything since we got her on Saturday. 
    	Finally Wed. night I went out and bought some seafood can cat food.
    	I know I shouldn't be giving her fish, but she hadn't eaten in 5
    	days.  Well I put the SMELLY fish food in front of her and she
    	pounced on it and ate the whole cat at one time!  I know I felt
    	better and I think she did too.  She Washed herself afterwards
    	and was rolling on the livingroom rug.  She is still skiddish if
    	anyone moves too fast or any loud sound, but in the last two days
    	she has come a long way :-)
    
    	I think I will be looking for a kitten in about a month.  Though
    	I am concerned about bring a kitten in with the possibly of worms.
    	Aren't they born with them?  I would hate for her to contact
    	anything.  But if I do get a kitten, I'd like an all gray one.
    	So if you hear of a female - all gray, shorthaired, let me know.
    
    	Thanks Folks and I'm happy to be part of this conference!!
    
    	-Dee
    

    Kittens are only born with worms if the mother has them.  I suggest
    you go to a good shelter that screens their cats for Feline Leukemia
    and will have given them their shots and treated them for worms and
    earmites.  Make sure you specifically ask about all these things.
    The $30-$50 charge that the shelters ask is a bargain.  FLV testing
    alone costs $25 if you go to a vet.
      Glad to hear May Ling is doing so well.  If I know siamese cats
    she'll be ruling the roost in no time.  :-)
      Nancy DC