Breakthrough!!

[Mollysmummy]

Just wanted to share my happy news! We've got quite an anxious, fearful, non-cuddly cat who's 1 1/2. We don't think she was socialised as a kitten. We got a 9 week old kitten 6 weeks ago, and initially she did NOT like him! Lots of puffing up and hissing, avoiding him and hiding away.

In the last month she has started warming to him, and has returned to sleeping on our bed a few nights a week. The last 3-4 days though we've had a real breakthrough! They seem to want to be around each other all the time, even sleeping just a couple of feet apart. Barely any hissing or fighting, when they do chase it's clearly more play than it was.

Tonight.....she jumped up on the sofa and went to sleep on my feet!!! We can't believe it! She's never allowed this sort of contact before but has clearly been watching the kitten sleeping on our laps etc and seen that it's not as scary as she thought.

We're so happy, we never thought she would be an affectionate cat but we may yet get there!

[Walesgang]

Yay

great news

Onwards and upwards for your brave girl

[bobbys girl]

Wonderful news! Perhaps she has realised she is missing out. It is amazing the difference a kitten in the family can make. I'm really pleased for you all.

[Cat]

Awww ... what a lovely update

[MarkB]

Great news - wonderful when they realize we are just willing slaves who won't harm them

Not a kitten, but Domino, the 5 year old (estimate) stray we took in recently has given our oldie, Laz, a new lease of life. He was vegetating on the sofa. We hadn't even planned to keep Dom, but he was in awe of Laz from day one and tip toes around him - even allowing Laz to walked over him to get to his food

[Fran_ki]

This is great news. Sounds like having a new kitten around has made all the difference. And she's certainly starting to relax more xx

[Lyn from Australia]

I've just fostered a little tortie girl, who looks to be about 3 months old perhaps, and after the initial hissy fits she is fitting in beautifully, and it's such a joy to hear her and Jagger clumping around the place after each other. The oldies don't know what's hit them. Congratulations on your breakthrough.

[greenkitty]

What a lovely update and how great that a kitten is teaching your girl that you're not so scary

[Mollysmummy]

I don't mind if she's never a lap cat, but its so nice that she's comfortable enough to be nearer to us now

[Crewella]

That's a lovley update - well done!

[Mollysmummy]

Ok I need to pick some brains here....Kevin's bum is stinky!! He's 15 weeks old, and can be neutered as of 23rd december. He was asleep on my lap this afternoon when we noticed a quite unpleasant smell coming from his back end. It doesn't smell like poo and his back end is clean, it's a really funky smell!!

Could he already be sexually maturing at almost 4 months?? I'm wondering if it's because he's still intact? I've read something about anal glands not emptying properly but it's not a 'pooey' smell so I'm a bit confused?

[Mollysmummy]

Omg another landmark...she just played with a toy independantly!!! Previously she would only play with a toy we were wiggling for her, but she just batted a fuzzy ball around! So proud of our girl

[Crewella]

Brilliant - those breakthrough moments are wonderful! It sounds as though she's coming on a treat, good girl!

Sorry, no idea on Kevin's stinky bottom, though anal glands came to my mind too. I guess it's possible that his hormones are starting to kick in ..... maybe keep an eye on it and ask the vet when you take him in?