Meow and welcome to another Service Cat Monday. We seem to be getting’ a later start these days, but we do hope you’re enjoyin’ these posts. Let me get the disclaimers outta the way and we’ll jump right in to today’s posty. The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat Monday posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions. Ifin you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, purrlease let us know in the comments section or send us an email. When asking behavioral questions, purrlease be as specific as pawssible. And, ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can ketch up by clickin’ the links at the end of this post. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.
So, last week we talked about Training kitty to play with toys and not hands or feet. Awnty Juliea had asked a 2 part question; the second part being about getting a playmate or “Buddy Cat” for her newly adopted Patzy. So today, we’re going to discuss the dynamics of adding a second cat to your home. Does your kitty want a friend? Would adding another cat help calm an Aggressive cat? Is my cat lonely? Am I adopting another cat for the right reasons? All of those and more are loaded questions; but questions we get asked a lot. Each cat is different, and will respond to a new addition in a variety of ways.
In recent years some shelters and rescues will only adopt young kittens in pairs. The idea being that if they grow up together, they will be happier and better pets. More often than not, kittens raised together will bond and become the best of friends, however, the opposite can also be true. Even littermates can grow into enemies. While this is rare, it can and does happen.
So, you adopted a kitten between the ages of 6 months and a year old. Kitty is a little more aloof than you had expected, or has some undesirable behaviors. Will adding another kitty help? Your needs, desires and wants must be secondary. Always make your resident cat’s personality and needs first. Do Not rely on a second kitty to change the behaviors of the resident cat. Kittens learn boundaries from their mothers and littermates in the first 6 to 8 weeks. A cat that was taken away from his/her mother too young will miss out on some of those lessons. A “Friend” or “Buddy Cat” is not the same. It’s better to Train the resident cat appropriate behaviors before introducing a friend in the mix. As we’ve discussed in earlier posts, introducing a new cat into the home can often come with it’s own challenges.
Although feral cats will gravitate to a colony for survival, and cats can live happily in multicat/pet households, they are by nature a solitary animal. That being said, we personally like to see more than one cat in a home. If you have a dominant cat, we suggest adopting a slightly older kitty with a more sedate personality. If kitty is more laid back, bordering on the lazy side, we recommend a slightly more playful kitty. And we do mean Slightly. It’s never a good idea to adopt an overly playful kitty/kitten as a friend for your older more laid back kitty. Although mommy and others have successfully integrated young kittens into homes with older cats, it poses quite a few challenges. Breed traits become very important when doing this. Remember, your resident cat’s needs must be given priority.
I’s can see any intruder from here.
Awnty Juliea did make note that Patzy reacted by hissing and acting territorially when she saw another cat from her window in her yard. This is typical behavior and doesn’t really determine how a cat will act toward a new kitty in the home. However, there will be hissing almost anytime a new addition is added to the home. Cats have a hierarchy and this is one way they communicate that. Me still hisses at Raena every time she follows me up the cat tree and tries to trip me. Till the day she left us, sis Lexi hissed at me every time me stuck me’s nose up her behind. But, we loved each other very much and got along great, like me and Raena. So if you decide to add a “Friend” be prepared for some growing pains and hisses.
Well c’mon squirt, let’s play.
We recommend asking the shelter or rescue where you adopt kitty, how well they get along with others. We also recommend not waiting too long to adopt that new friend. The longer a cat lives a solitary (only cat) life, the less likely they will be to truly accept a “Friend”.
The hardest part about answering this question, is that we’re not there. We don’t know your cat, their personality or how they interact with others. So, of course we can’t give a definite answer as to whether or not you should adopt a new kitty. Remember, when you adopt a cat/kitten, it’s a lifetime commitment!!! Not an “Oooops, it didn’t work out” commitment. Watch your cat, if they’re truly lonely, they will give you signs, usually inappropriate behavior (severe pica, excessive meowing, excessive chewing, etc.). This can be corrected by you spending more quality time with kitty. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make the resident kitty a priority.
Do Not adopt a Friend for your cat, just because your resident cat isn’t quite what you had hoped for. What do we mean? Well, maybe you wanted a lap cat, but after getting kitty home, you discover they’re not much for being held, much less laying around in your lap. Again, a little extra quality time spent with kitty and some Training, can change that over time. But it’s unfair to the resident cat and the “Friend Kitty” to adopt a possibly unwanted friend just so you can have a lap full of fur. Our final remarks on this subject would be to adopt 2 kitties at the same time if you possibly can. This will improve the chances of acceptance and happiness in your home. We also recommend trying to adopt kitties around the same age and activity level. And always remember, every cat can use some Training. We wish anyone who is adding a kitty to their home the best of luck. And we thank you for saving a life.
I’s luvs you thiiiiiiiiiiiis much sissy.
We do hope this has helped somewhat. Sorry we can’t tell you exactly what to do, but we think if you spend enough time with your resident kitty, you’ll get your answer. Don’t furget, ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can click the links below. And be sure to leave any questions or topics you’d like us to cover in the comments section below, or send us an email. And remember, Training is all about Repetition and Rewards.
Sure ‘nuff sissy. And have we ever been Blessed. As most of ya’ know, we recently had visitors. Today, we’re gonna wrap up that visit. Ifin ya’ missed pawrt 1, you can read it here. Now, let’s get on with our visit.
Hey Gizmo, mine’s name is RaenaBelle.
We’ve had several peeps remawrk ‘bout how well we did havin’ Gizmo the kitty visit with us Raena. We should admit that there was a couple of hisses and one growl. We’re not meowin’ who did the hissin’ or the growlin’, since there was no fightin’ or whacky paws involved. Mommy says it was mostly pawsturin’ and lettin’ each other know when one was a bit too close fur comfurt. Ya’ know, it may be our nature to sniff backsides, but that doesn’t mean the sniffee actually enjoys it. Fur the most pawrt, we had a great and uneventful visit, kitties and humans too. Our Southern hospitality shined.
I’s luvs mine’s mommy.
Yeah sissy, awnty Mary Beth took lots of fotos of me and you with mommy. You know how happy that made mommy. She always says she doesn’t have many fotos of her with us. I’s could’a done with a good brushin’ tho’, cuz mine’s neck ruff was a bit wild. But, I’s really don’t care. I’s just luvs it when mommy holds me, ruffled furs or not.
Fotos with mommy. Me’s all in.
Yep Raena, and you just luv the camera. MOL
Is that pizza? Hmmmm Now where’s mine’s plate?
Well sissy, you missed what happened next cuz of those noisy thunder boomers. Uncle Garth left fur a few minutes and when he returned, he brought in a pizza. Oh Kittens Did it ever smell delishus. But then, the worst thing that could’a happened, happened. Mommy didn’t even fix me a plate. Nope, not even a snack plate. ‘Stead, mommy, awnty Mary Beth and uncle Garth sat there eatin’ OUR PIZZA!!! Can you believe it? I’s sure couldn’t. Don’t they know that pizzas are kitty food? Not to mention, pizza is our favorite food. I’s tried to help mine’s self to a slice, but I’s couldn’t balance on the wheelchair arm and open the box at the same time. So, I’s gave ‘em the ole kitty evil eye.
Yep, that’s pizza. Yummmmmmm The smell’s divine.
Well Raena, did it work?
I’s’ll just help mine’s self.
Hey! Just who do ya’ll think you are? Don’t you know any pizza
that comes in this house belongs to us cats?
Not very well. Least, they did leave us a piece each. Like that was gonna fill us up. Hmmmpht Even worse, mommy didn’t save us any of the pepperoni’s off the pieces she ate. I’s mean, she ate every last bite, just like we weren’t even there. The nerve. I’s tellin’ ya’, I’s just couldn’t believe mine’s own blue eyes. All mine’s Southern Belle hospitality flew right out the window when that happened. You know, Southern Hospitality can only go so far. And then, they wanted to take luvvy dovey fotos with me. Hmmmpht Like that was gonna happen. MOL
Alright awnty Mary Beth, one kiss…just one I’s said.
Oh Raena, mommy takes really good care of us. Just cuz we didn’t get 1 pizza shouldn’t make you act ugly. We did get a piece later. And besides, we luv awnty Mary Beth, uncle Garth and Gizmo. Me was very purroud of you fur sharin’ the cat tree with him. And lettin’ awnty Mary Beth and uncle Garth hold you. Me was also purroud of ya’, that you didn’t get all jealous when mommy gave Gizzy some luvvin’.
Hmmmmmm I’s thinkin’ men, a daddy to be purrcise,
might not be so bad after all. Mommmmmmmy…?
Of course I’s didn’t get jealous sissy. After all, he never took off his jacket (harness), so I’s knew he wasn’t actually stayin’. And, I’s know mommy has purrlenty of luvvin’ to go ‘round. Cousin Gizzy seemed to like the scent me up game too. Mommy said his motor boat started right up. I’s surpurrised he didn’t float right off her lap.
Purrrrrrrrrrrr Love ya’ autny A
Hmmmpht You know better Raena. Mommy’s hold may look gentle, but she’s got a furm grasp on any kitty she holds. They ain’t goin’ anywhere lessen she wants ‘em too. MOL Me sure hated that they had to leave so soon. Cuz of those thunder boomers, me missed sayin’ goodbye. So me looked fur them all day the next day.
Me too sissy. Our visit was way too short. I’s sure hope they can come back.
Yep Raena. Ya’ know, we never ‘magined meetin’ any of our online furiends when we started all this. But, we have been so blessed that we’ve actually met quite a few of them. We’re always up fur a visit from our amazin’ furiends and wish we could meet you all. We’re sure hopin’ we can manage to go to BlogPaws this next year. It’s really close to us, so we’d hate to miss it. You’d have a great time Raena. Sis Lexi and me really had a blast the year we went.
I’s luvs ya’ awnty Mary Beth, even ifin ya’ didn’t share your pizza with me.
And we could meet more furiends? (Dezi nods to Raena) I’s would luvs that sissy. In the meantime, anypawdy who wants to come and see us…Come on down, Southern hospitality at Deziz World reigns.
Uncle Garth, Awnty Mary Beth and mommy A
Sure ‘nuff Raena, even ifin we don’t get a pizza. MOL We wanna fank uncle Garth, awnty Mary Beth and Gizmo fur comin’ to see us and fur everythin’. They’ve been really good to us. Ya’ know, they sent us our kitty beds, toys and green papers and all kinds of goodies thru the years. Mostly, they’ve luvved us and our mommy. We are so blest to have so many pawsum furiends. And yep, YOU, yes you readin’ this posty are one of them. Fank you so much fur bein’ a pawrt of our lives. We luv you very much. We think ‘bout and purray fur all our furiends every day, you included. Like we always do, we’d like to remind you to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur the blessings in your life. Maybe, we’re one of ‘em.
Gizmo’s selfie
I’s couldn’t have meowed it better mine’s self sissy. We’d also like to say, we think (paws crossed) the car’s fixed. Mommy ordered the pawrt and the neighbor boy put it on fur us this past week. Mommy’s still gotta make a few more short test drives just to be on the safe side, but we’re purretty sure, the car is good to go. We’ll keep ya’ posted. Mommy was shocked at the cost of oil and anti-freeze. So, mine’s VET ‘pointment is on hold fur a bit. Fanky fank you all fur your purrayers and good wishes. They do help. Ifin you could spare a purrayer fur our awnty Ellen and her Phoebe cat from 15 and Meowing, we’d purreciate it. We’re linkin’ up with the Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. We’re gonna go play now.
Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. Most of ya’ have expurressed an interest in hearin’ ‘bout our recent guests. We’re so x’cited to meow ‘bout it; so grab your coffee, tea or drink of your choice and read on. We’re runnin’ really late, but wait’ll ya’ see all the fotos. We really do luv meetin’ our furiends. Ifin we could, we would visit all of ya’ in the fur to fur/flesh. So, let me set the stage fur ya’.
Raena, me should set the stage. After all, they were me’s furiends furst. So, it went somethin’ like this: A few weeks ago mommy got an email from awnty Mary Beth, who lives in Arizona. She said her, uncle Garth and our sweet furiend Gizmo were comin’ our way and wanted to pay us a visit. Mommy squealed with delight and told Raena and me we had a surpurrise comin’ on September 17th. We thought the 17th was never gonna get here. But alas, the day furinally came and Raena and me set up on the cat tree to watch fur our surpurrise.
We sure did sissy. but, as the day went by, you got tired of waitin’ and went to the back to take a nap. See sissy? I’s didn’t say anythin’ ‘bout the thunder boomers. Anyways, I’s kept mine’s watch out the door, even tho’ I’s didn’t know what I’s was watchin’ fur. Minutes turned into hours and hours into days. Okay, so maybe that’s stretchin’ it a bit, but it seemed like furever. Furinally, mommy jumped up and said, “Dezi!!! Raena!!! They’re here!!!” And then she jumped up and opened the door. Once everypawdy came inside and sat down, I’s headed over to meet mine’s new furiend.
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Yep Raena, and then mommy came to wake me up so me could come and visit too. Me could hardly believe me’s awnty Mary Beth, uncle Garth and Gizmo were actually sittin’ in me’s house. MeOWwwwww Me knows sis Lexi would’a luvved to meet ‘em, so me had to say an extra hey cuz she couldn’t be here. ‘Course, mommy wanted to do a lot of talkin’, so me went to lay on the cat tree and let them do their human stuffs.
Hey Gizmo, mine’s name is RaenaBelle. So nice to meet ya’.
Wanna play on our cool cat tree?
Yep sissy, humans sure do like to talk don’t they?. Unfurtunately, it had been threatenin’ to storm all day, and the thunder boomers started rumblin’ thru shortly after they got here.
Awnty Mary Beth and Gizmo
They sure did Raena. With all the extra peeps in the house, me had to go make absolutely sure there were no spiders or any other pesky pests that were gonna get anypawdy.
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Sure sissy, whatever you say. It’s just too bad you spent most of the day UTB (under the bed). Gizmo and I had lots of fun. We hung out on the cat tree getting’ our fotos taken. Did you know mommy offured him one of our Yeowww nip nanners? Gizzy was a little to nervous to let loose and enjoy the goodness of the nip nanner. So, mommy sent it home with him fur all of his fursibs to enjoy. We don’t mind sharin’, ‘specially since mommy bought us extra with the money awnty Vonda had sent fur your birthday last year. You know, we think every kitty oughtta have the joy of a Yeowww nip nanner at least once in their lives. Awnty Mary Beth said Gizzy’s not too crazy ‘bout his harness and that’s why he wouldn’t let loose and play. I’s offured to put mine’s harness on ifin it would make him more comfurtable.
That sure was nice of ya’ Raena.
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Well sissy, it was the least I’s could do. Mommy shared her cofee with uncle Garth. And you know I’s wanna be just like mommy.
Mommy didn’t actually share her coffee Raena, she made uncle Garth a cup of coffee all his own.
That’s what I’s meant sissy. Kittens!!! Ya’ think I’s said they were drinkin’ outta the same cup. Hmmpht Anyways, you’re never gonna believe what happened next…
Stay tuned, we’ll be back with the rest of the story Sunday. T’ween the hunnerd fotos mommy took and the 157 fotos awnty Mary Beth took, we’re tryin’ to show as many as we can without goin’ overboard. But, that’s a lot of fotos and mommy’s eyes started crossin’ lookin’ at ’em all. MOL
Meow and welcome to a brand new Blest Sunday. The sun is shinin’, at least fur now. The birds are singin’ and the butterflies are all aflitter.
What in the world are you meowin’ ‘bout, sissy? I’s don’t see any butterflies flitterin’, and I’s don’t hear any birds singin’ either. What is flitterin’ anyways?
Okay, so maybe it’s not a Snow White moment Raena, but it is Blest Sunday. And that’s somethin’ to meow ‘bout.
I’s agree sissy. Just don’t be lyin’ to our furiends. Mommy says we’re not s’posed to lie.
Me wasn’t lyin’ Raena. Me was settin’ the stage. Or maybe it was wishful thinkin’ or somethin’. But, mommy’s right. Lyin’ isn’t right, even ifin it’s just stretchin’ the truth. So, fur the moment, the sun is shinin’, all the rest, was just a figment of me’s ‘magination. You know, no matter what else be goin’ on ‘round us, or how we may be feelin’, we’re bein’ blest every minute of every day. Even on our worst days, when things seem the darkest, ifin we take a moment to give fanks fur our blessings, we feel a bit better.
That’s right sissy. Mommy says every breath we breathe is a blessin’ that’s not guaranteed. Every furiend we’ve made since bein’ a pawrt of this wonderful world called the innernet, is a blessin’ we never could have imagined. The bond and carin’ shown amongst all of us is astonishin’ and awe inspirin’.
You’re right ‘bout that Raena. A lot of our furiends our goin’ thru some tough times right now. It makes us sad that they have to go thru these trials. But, when we all band together in purrayer and suppurt, things change fur the better. We rarely unnerstand a trial, ‘specially while we’re goin’ thru it, but one way or another, we come out stronger and better on the other side. There are too many needs to list them all, and we wouldn’t wanna miss anypawdy; but you know who you are. Know, that we’re purrayin’ fur ya’ and sendin’ ya’ the biggest kitty hugs ever. Fank you all fur bein’ our furiends. Fur luvvin’ us, and suppurrtin’ us, and purrayin’ fur us in our time of need. We will always be here fur you.
Mine’s selfie from atop the cat tree.
Meowin’ of suppurt sissy, we need to fanky fank a few peeps fur donatin’ to mommy’s dental fund. A meowsy big fanky fank ya’ to awnty Theresa, awnty Kat and LouLou and awnty Suzanne. Ifin ya’ haven’t met our sweet furiend LouLou, you really should check her out. And, ifin you’d like to help mommy with her dental, you can donate thru the fundraiser here, or directly to our paypal with lexi.dezi@yahoo.com. We’ll be goin’ back to the dentist this week, cuz they said the “bite” impurrsion they took didn’t turn out and they need another one. Might have somethin’ to do with the huge overbite mommy has. Oh well, hopefully, this one will work. We just feel blest to be able to have this concern. And, I’s look furward to another mommy and me day out. Those are always soooooo much fun.
Me’s gettin’ luvvin’ selfie.
Uh, who said you were the one goin’ Raena? Ya’ know, me just might wanna go this time. But, we’ll meow ‘bout that later. Fur now, we just wanna remind everypawdy to take a minute today and everyday to give thanks fur the blessings in your lives. And say a little purrayer fur all those in need, you may never know how much it was needed at that moment. We’re also joinin’ the Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. Raena, let’s go play befur the storms come.
Service Cats U.S. 