We're watching my in-laws cat while they get their house fumigated. He's about 13 and calm. I have a female that's a year old and belongs in a padded room. Any advice on how to help them get along?
Answers:
I'd keep them separate, and give the old guy lots of attention, because he's worried about why his 'mom and dad' 'gave' him to you! He probably doesn't understand you're only keeping him for his safety, and that he'll go back, unless you've kept him a while in the past. If he has a favorite thing, a toy or bed, make sure he has it with him. Oh, and if he doesn't seem bothered by your little girl, let them be together, it's company, will take his mind off things, and he's probably worried and scared. I am not trying to say you're being mean to him, it's just that he doesn't understand, and it scares them.
maybe keep them in separate rooms if the active one is annoying the calm one.
Just watch them. THey might get along right away! Or, if not, you may have to separate them for a day or so and then try to introduce them again. Put the inlaws cat in a room where your cat doesnt like to go. and make sure there is a litter box for the visitor! If he ever used your cats litter box, your cat may refuse to use it and have accidents in places you wouldnt like.
Taking a 13 year old cat out of his regular environment can be very stressful and putting him with your young cat could cause undue stress. I recommend keeping them in separate rooms and visiting each often for affection. Good Luck.
I feel for you. When my sister moved in with her two trailer cats, the fighting got so out of control, water had to be used. A spray bottle became the most important thing in the world. It's been 5 years and still I make sure the bottle is always full. The thing I would say to you is, thank the Gods you only have a few days to take care of the cat. Your cat is young, so there really isn't anything you can say to her. The older cat however, needs to stay out of her way. I know you don't want to give him back needing therapy, so I would suggest putting him in another room. Let him get his sleep on and just go in and love on him every once in alwhile. Older cats don't need to be in the main room all the time. They just like to know they still matter.
Just make sure the older cat has a quiet place to retreat to where your cat can't get to him. She's probably quite a bit more active than he is, so she may start to irritate him a bit. As long as he knows he has escape when he needs it, things should be ok.
This sounds like a temporary situation and is best handled by giving the in-laws cat his own room and not letting your cat have any contact with him.
i would just put the older one in a room alone with a litter box and food it doesnt sound like you will be keeping him for long so rather than put him through the aggravation of what the younger one may put him through just keep them separate.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment