Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Reikiranf]

Saw an old friend last night and now I've taken on her 16 year old cat Sophie supposedly temporarily My friend went back to the Isle of Man to live and came over here for a few days, she didn't take Sophie as the vet didn't think it wise to sedate a cat of that age for the journey, so her daughter has been looking after Sophie but is moving into temporary accomodation and is not allowed pets.

 

I already have my own cat Lily who's 16, Lily used to be the youngest of four cats and has been the only one for 2 years now, Lily is fine with Sophie, but Sophie growls and hisses as soon as she sets eyes on Lily Sophie is fine with us and happily snuggles up on the sofa with us and loves a fuss (she only arrived late this afternoon) At the moment Lily's sprawled out in front of the dining room fire on her sheepskin cushion and Sophie's curled up on the sofa in the lounge

 

So I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to help Sophie settle in or whether I should just leave them to get on with it, I was thinking of shutting Sophie in the dining room before I go to work tomorrow, but a friend said to leave them both with the run of the house but whilst I'm hoping they'll call a truce half of me is worried that they may have a fight

 

Any ideas?

 

Amanda

[FORENSICA]

Hi!

I think you are in a tricky situation there. Cats do not tend to make friends very fast, unfortunately. I reckon you should get ready for them never becoming pals. However, I believe that after a few hisses, they will start ignoring each other and that will be it. I would not anticipate a massive fight, especially in their age.

I would not separate them though, because even if they start to fight, there is not much you can do about it since you can not keep them separated forever. I would just let them sort things themselves.

Hubby got a new cat when their old one was like 10 and they were just ignoring each other till the older died (7years!)

 

Hope this helped Good luck!

[Janepie33]

I have a 10 year old cat and a 1 1/2 year old cat that we got from the RSPCA a year ago. After 3 or 4 weeks of hisses, they tolerated each other and after 2 or 3 months they accepted each other and now, a year later, they lick each other's ears and snuggle up on my bed together. They even play together, despite the age difference.

 

I watched a very interesting TV programme the other day, about a cat situation much like yours (although the cats were a bit younger) and the animal behaviourist said that the most important thing was to ensure that each cat had the option to sleep in a variety of places, therefore defining their own teritories within the home. This certainly works for my cats. When I got my second cat last year, I provided an old sheepskin on top of a foot stool for her to sleep on. Fortunately she accepted this and she still sleeps on it to this day, while my other cat took over the sofa.

As we all know, (and I think ther is a poem about it) - cats sleep anywhere, but if you provide lots of snuggly places, chances are, the new cat will adopt one as her own.

 

Keep on with the TLC and maybe give them some treats at the same time and feed them at the same time and let them get on with it.

 

Good luck!

[Olly]

I think a lot depends on the characters of the cats concerned, but at their advanced age a full-on fight is less likely than lots of hissing and spitting. Make sure they both have places to sleep and 'escape' to, and it might be a good idea to feed them in separate areas to begin with, gradually moving the bowls closer together.

 

I took on my brother's 18-year old cat when he moved, as we all thought that a spell in a cattery which would have been needed, would finish her off. She developed a new lease of life and terrorised my 10-year old cat despite being half his size! After three months, they were just reaching a sort of tolerance, when sadly she died.

 

Just don't expect them to be best friends instantly - it will take weeks, but they probably won't do each other any damage. Good for you for taking her in!

[Reikiranf]

Thank you all for your help and advice, Sophie has always been an only cat and Lily became one as I didn't think it fair to get a kitten after we lost Holly 2 years ago, I thought a kitten would make her final years hell like she did to our eldest cat Poppy Second oldest Jasmin mother of Holly wouldn't stand for any bad behaviour I resisted a kitten and now I've gone and got another geriatric cat. They are both in great condition and don't look a day over 10

 

In the space of a few hours their mood has changed, Lily is now hissing at Sophie and Sophie's not batting an eyelid

 

I'm not expecting them to be best friends, but it would be nice if they could be in the same room without hissing and growling, there are lots of places for them both to have their own space so hopefully in time they will tolerate each other. I have a sneaky suspicion that this may not be as temporary as my DH hopes

 

Thank you

 

Amanda

[Redwing]

It was really nice of you to take on someone else's elderly cat.

 

Good luck with it

[Old Speckled Hen]

Well done for giving this old puss a chance.

As previous posters have said a full blown fight is unlikely but it is possible that the stress may make one or both soil in the house.

SO

Make sure both cats have plenty of hiding holes so that they can avoid each other but more importantly feel safe and secure. Feed and litter them separately, in separate rooms and if that's not possible at least at each end of a room.

Try not to show affection to one in front of the other.

You may be pleasantly surprised, they may like each other

Hope this helps

[dancing cloud]

I added Loki (then about a year old) to Puddy (age unknown, probably about eight) a year ago. Loki loved Pud on sight and it has never been mutual - there has been growling, hissing and an occasional smack around the ear, all from Pud's direction.

 

He still adores her and tries to get her to play, and I had believed she would never care for him, but have seen a couple of times very recenty when she has gone and sniffed his face when he has been asleep. Maybe she was just hoping he had expired, but it looked cute (and she didn't know I was watching)

 

One thing I found helpful was Feliway, which you can get as a plug-in for 24-hour use and as a spray for any particular areas of soiling or scratching. It really seemed to help make Loki feel at home and it stopped him spraying the curtains and bedspreads to make his mark. Might be worth a try with your two.

 

All credit to you for taking Sophie in - she's a very lucky cat

[Emma Tarpey]

I would leave them to it for a bit they're just sorting there positions out (who's the leader). This may take a while mind you so be warned for a long wait!!!. Don't forget to give them equal treatment the last thing you want is one of them acting on jelousy(sorry about spelling )

 

Good luck and good on you for taking in an elderly cat