Mia - a new chapter begins

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ThorpeDave
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Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by ThorpeDave »

My previous thread created a lot of interest and I thank everyone for their replies.

Six weeks have now passed since Stealth gained his wings and went to Kitty heaven. It is still very raw with us and everyday we think of him and very often shed a tear.

It took Mia a couple of days to realize that something was really different. Stealth had been away on several occasion for a couple of days while he was being treated at the vets and it seems she got used to it.

After 4 days however, she started to spend hours looking for him and stayed out all night on several occasions. She wold also spend hours sitting at the garden gate in the hope he would turn up.

After a week the crying started, and she was showing real signs of grieving.

Mia did carry on eating normally and the early evening treats continued to be hand fed with e sitting on the floor, Buddha style

One evening I was distracted and I suddenly felt first one, then both paws on my leg as she moved closer to reach the treats. After a couple of days it became the norm, Mia willing climbed on my leg to take treats.

this was the first time she had made physical contact with us and it felt so good!

About 3 weeks ago Mia was sleeping on the stairs - as usual - and at about 3am I woke up with her crying. I called her and she came straight into the bedroom and my wife instinctively put out a hand to comfort her.

To our utter surprise, Mia instantly came to her and for the next ten minutes, a full on fussing and stroking session ensued! Every day since Mia come to the side of the bed when the alarm goes off for a fuss and quite often now, when we go to bed too.

I have, so far, only managed to stroke her on one occasion. She is wonderfully soft and very gentle but purrs very loudly!

Mia is now 4 years older and this is the first time that she has had real contact with humans. Everyone told us it would never happen as she was never socialized as a kitten nor in the 1st year of her life then spending 18 months as a semi feral cat.

Mia has certainly come a long way. It is now just over 12 months since she and Stealth first made an appearance.

Although much closer to us, Mia continued to show signs of loneliness and thoughts turned to getting another cat in the hope they would bond like Mia did with Stealth.

Unfortunately, Mia was attacked by a neighbors un-neutered male cat one evening. Having just installed a CCTV system at home, I got it all on camera and I was shocked. I knew that Mia had been bullied by other cats and had been chased by this particular male in the past but I did not realise that actual fights had broken out.

Mia is now somewhat "chunky" and must weigh in the region of 5kg plus but she is VERY agile and can look after herself quite well!

Seeing this we started towonder if getting another cat was a wise idea

More tomorrow

Regards

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by booktigger »

Aww, I'm glad she is coming for attention. I'm not sure i would get another cat, I'd let her enjoy all the attention
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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booktigger wrote:Aww, I'm glad she is coming for attention. I'm not sure i would get another cat, I'd let her enjoy all the attention
Oops!
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Over the past month, the fussing of Mia has intensified. 20 minute sessions are now the norm and her general behavior around us is a lot calmer.

However, the odd thing is that we can only fuss her when we are in bed. As soon as we get up she will not allow it under any circumstances so they are confined to last thing at night and first thing in the morning - and quite often just after we pay a "visit" during the night.

Many things have not changed with her however. Wherever Mia is, she will run and hide if someone comes into the house. No matter if they are new or a regular visitor she hides and, quit literally no one other than us have ever seen her - until the other day.

Introducing Hendrix

The story of Hendrix, like Mia, is quite sad and nearly tragic but, hopefully with a happy conclusion.

Hendrix's Mum is owned by someone who is going through a difficult phase in their life where alcohol is more important than anything. She had had several litters in quick succession and the owner was given a voucher for free neutering. However this voucher was exchanged for cans of beer and she became pregnant again.

Hendrix was born at the beginning of July and was the weakest of the litter and not able to get much in the way of Mother's milk. He became very weak and poorly with Mum rejecting him altogether. For a short time he was fed Wheetabix and milk but this obviously only sustained him.

thankfully someone got wind of this and took him away and gave him to one of my wife's colleagues. He was tiny, flea ridden and it was touch and go if would survive.

Thankfully he did and by five weeks old he was eating both wet and dry cat kitten food and started to develop.

We had decided to start the search for a friend for Mia in the belief that she wanted feline company. We decided that we would look for a young male, preferably not a kitten, and was timid and used to being with other cats. Due to my poor eyesight, I also wanted a cat who was NOT black as we have a lot of dark furniture and I was worried that I would not be able to see him.

We did the rounds of all the rescue centers in our area all of whom seemed to be bursting at the seams with black female kittens. Not a non black male in sight!

Hendrix's adopted owners already had a female cat who took great exception to Hendrix's arrival and once my wife's colleague discovered we were on the lookout for another cat we were offered him. Initially we were very reluctant but finally agreed to go and see him.

As the aggression increased between Hendrix and the resident cat the need to move him one became more urgent with the vet advising that he should be taken to any potential owner rather than them coming to see him.

So on August 21st Hendrix was brought into our house and after 5 minutes was let out of his carrier.

The first thing we noticed is that Hendrix was not a solid black cat he had "ghost" tabby marking. There was no hesitation with him, he came straight to me then my wife and started to purr. How can you resits?

With Hendrix exploring, playing and the noise of 4 people talking we were totally oblivious that sitting in the corner was Mia totally mesmerized

This was not the introduction that we had planned

Regards

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by booktigger »

It's actually quite normal for timid cats to prefer attention when humans are lying down, much less scary for them. I had a cat with issues of feet/walking - I had her for 8 years but she still had issues with walking past you, she would never cross you on the stairs. Bless him - all cats have ghost tabby markings, some will stay obvious, others care and you only see them in certain light, only time will tell. Hope Mia will get on with him
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by Lilith »

Well. I can see why you needed to adopt this little lad. His 'owner' ... To exchange a neutering voucher for beer ...

I'm fond of the beer myself, but ...

My own ferals started life with an alcoholic (in fact, Mouse, just moved in with me, pricked up her ears as I pulled open a can - sounded familiar!) and I'm afraid this guy was just as disorganised. At that stage, it's an illness. There but for the grace of ... But any cats involved need help!

Well, I only have one ex-feral now and that's Mouse - my darling Emily left me on the 6 August (ckd like Stealth.) I understand she was born in the 'owner's' house but ran wild; Mouse was born goodness knows where, six months later, and only approached humans for food. But they've been two of my most affectionate cats - I don't think lack of socialisation in early life necessarily makes an aloof cat, but there again they're all different.

A death in a cat hierarchy does lead to new behaviour, I've found. Molly, my problem kitten, is now very noisy and clingy and is becoming extra-affectionate - she'll let me stroke her face at last. She teased Emily, who watched out for her and always had the last swipe. The other morning Moll started to watch somebody on the landing who wasn't there. I think I still live with 3 cats ...

So Mia's behaviour doesn't surprise me and it's great that she's moving closer to you. One thing I've found with ferals and ex-ferals, they're used to being communal. Over the years new cats have arrived or even just neighbour cats dropping in for a free feed at the biscuits, and I've found that mine have a very laid-back attitude to this. It's Molly, who had homes from the start, who is territorial - doubt whether I'll ever be able to introduce another cat to that madam after 7 years ...

Congrats and fusses to Mia and Hendrix and hope all goes well :D
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by Ruth B »

Sometimes the right cat comes along at just the right moment and it is meant to be.

My nervous one, Freyja, can be really demanding of fuss when I'm sat on the bed reading or at the computer, but if i approach her it can be hit or miss (far more miss at the moment following getting her in a carrier for her booster). She is another that doesn't like feet, she will just about accept running past one of us if we freeze. You see it most when she is caught between us, when she decides she will run one way to escape, only to find the other standing in her path. We have learnt to freeze and let her sort out what she wants to do and where she wants to go, then we can carry on with whatever we were doing. It's a case of cats having right of way in our house. She too hides from most visitors, but we do have a couple of friends who are around one night most weeks and we sit around gaming, she has got used to them to the extent she will sit on the stairs and watch and will make a dash for the cat flap between our legs if she really wants to get out. It's taken over 3 years but she is getting there.

I do hope Hendrix's Mum gets spayed and doesn't have to go through another litter like that, and I hope her owner gets the help they obviously need, to those of us without an addiction the idea of exchanging a spaying voucher for beer is unthinkable, but if your need for alcohol is that great then it makes perfect sense to you. A true addict will give up much more than getting their cat spayed to get their fix.

He's a beautiful little man and I hope he helps Mia's confidence as well.
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by ThorpeDave »

booktigger wrote:It's actually quite normal for timid cats to prefer attention when humans are lying down, much less scary for them. I had a cat with issues of feet/walking - I had her for 8 years but she still had issues with walking past you, she would never cross you on the stairs. Bless him - all cats have ghost tabby markings, some will stay obvious, others care and you only see them in certain light, only time will tell. Hope Mia will get on with him
That makes sense. Mi certainly had a problem with us walking around her. She is much better now but can still get scared

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Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Lilith wrote:Well. I can see why you needed to adopt this little lad. His 'owner' ... To exchange a neutering voucher for beer ...

I'm fond of the beer myself, but ...
Hendrix is only one of thousands of cats each year born and discarded. Why something is not done about beats me :(

We believe that his farther is also his brother from a previous litter which makes me think that Alcohol has only complicated an existing bad situation.

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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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The trouble is, to so many ignorant people, they're 'just cats'. I had a neighbour, oh, an upright pillar of society, worked in the health industry, husband in work, virtuous mother or so she'd have you think, had a 'family cat' - and believed she needed to have a litter before neutering ... trouble is, didn't spay her afterwards or neuter the boy she kept, or bother to control them or for that matter her obnoxious kids ... glad that lot moved on but very sorry for those cats ... It happens so often and it's amazing how self-righteous these people can be - she was an awful snob and regarded me as weirdo hippy dropout scum and so did her mates, but by 'eck I care for my cats better than she did :evil: :evil: :evil:

Ooops sorry, climbing down off my soapbox now :)
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Well, various charities offer help, even with the thousands of vouchers issued a year, it doesn't help the problem. Unfortunately even offering to collect, take and return the cats doesn't always work either. I've volunteered for q few charities for 14 years and I'd say it is worse now :twisted:
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by Ruth B »

Don't worry Lilith, we are all on your soapbox with you.
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Ruth B wrote:Don't worry Lilith, we are all on your soapbox with you.
Don't get me started - it is a flaming big soapbox

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Introducing Hendrix to Mia obviously did not go the we wanted or the way it should have gone - but hey it happened!

After a couple of hours the question finally came, "are we leaving (Jet) Hendrix with you or taking him back home?"

The decision was taken in a nano second and he would be staying. The only other alternative was for him to go into Rescue as he could not live with the other cat.

We knew that we would face similar challenges with Mia and we had not followed the "normal" integration process. However, Mia had shown no aggression towards Hendrix despite Hendrix arching his back occasionally. We also knew that this was Mia's home and nothing could happen to compromise that. Settling Hendrix in while maintaining the routine and particularly the fussing could and should not change.

Hendrix showed no signs of stress when the couple left to get his things and he seems to have settled in instantly and feels at home with us all. Apart from the first night, Hendrix always ends up cuddled up to me at night but is quite happy to sleep on anyone's lap.

Our son was quite late home that evening but on arrival Hendrix went straight to him and had a good fuss. We decided that Hendrix would spend the night with our son so that we could focus on Mia and the normal fussing routine went according to plan - although she was constantly looking for Hendrix!

As you would expect, Hendrix (previously called Jet) is a manic kitten who tears the place up at breakneck speed. Mia on the other hand is very placid, timid and reacts negatively to sudden noises and movement. Wednesday through Friday was not easy as Hendrix Settled in while Mia found it hard and spent quite some time outside unwilling to come into the house.

However, she came in each night and her feeding and fussing routine continued.

As our son would be away Wednesday and Thursday Hendrix would be with us and therefore would be very close to Mia at bedtime.

Fussing Mia then Hendrix helped mix their scent up and Mia seemed very content. Hendrix would sit on the bedside cabinet while my wife fussed Mia and they were only a few inches apart with Mia looking up at Hendrix and making very gentle noises.

Hendrix however was showing some aggression by arching his back and occasionally growling. Mia did not react to this and we quickly soothed Hendrix.

As of Sunday night, - last night - the two have yet to make physical contact but there was no aggression shown either way yesterday. Mia is now staying in the house and only going out to dig a hole when she needs.

So far so good.

More tomorrow

Regards

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Sounds positive so far
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by Lilith »

Thanks guys, I'm happy to share my soapbox :D

Hey Dave, it sounds to be going very well. Very calmly, really. Small kittens will often square up to an older cat - and the older one, who could whop them into the middle of next week with one swipe, will back down. Also hissing, spitting and arching is cat conversation ... I had a little one who spent her first night in bed on my shoulder but who hissed every time I moved slightly - 'don't know you yet'. Mia sounds to be taking it all in her stride - I'm glad she's keeping up the bedtime routine :)
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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There is a sign in our house that reads; "this is the cat's house, we just pay the bills"

As long as the cats believe this everything will be fine ;) The reality is however, that we are in charge and we are in charge but will accommodate the cats so that they are happy, their needs are met and they stay safe, well and - hopefully - live in harmony.

It only took a few days to identify a couple of problems with Hendrix while we realize there is another problem which will appear in the very near future.

First an foremost, he came with one bad habit. He likes fighting and will spend as long as possible attacking our hands. While this was useful to rapidly bond with him and to introduce him to the likes of the cat tree, it is unacceptable behavior. Hand are for fussing, stroking and examination and not for biting and scratching.

The past 2 days has seen the fighting being withdrawn with hands being replaced by balls or scrunchies. I have found that keeping balls downstairs and scrunchies upstairs to be the right balance. Bedtime also means a different toy to play with which has not been available during the day.

The second thing we cottoned onto was that when he got in his tray he would spend a long time in there digging furiously accompanied by a lot of screaming. We managed to make the transition from clay to wood pellets very easily and then identified that his "output" was hard rabbit pellets and he seemed to be having difficulty "going".

On arrival, his diet was a mix of wet and dry kitten food by a "mainstream" producer and was full of artificial rubbish. It was quite apparent that he would "jelly lick" his food only going back to eat the solid matter when he got hungry. It also became very obvious that he would readily eat an entire bowl of Mia's 100% natural food given half the chance.

It always was my intention to introduce "natural" food at some point but we decided to do this earlier than planned.

"natural" kitten food is not easy to find and is somewhat expensive but we managed to get 3 brands but only 2 flavors locally. While there seems to be a lot more choice for dry food I prefer wet as it ensures regular moisture intake. However he will eat dry food which is useful if you need to something special.

He adapted instantly to the food and clears the bowl with 2 of the 3 brands although the frantic digging continues but no more screaming with his "output" much bigger and softer. We have also moved him on to a much larger tray with high sides so there is less to sweep up!

Kitten milk has also been introduced which he also likes. As yet, I have not found a 100% natural dry food so he still has Go Cat dry food but more of a treat to supplement his 3 wet pouches per day.

We are still not sure exactly how old Hendrix is as it is not clear when he was separated from his Mum. He has had his first round of jabs though and will be having the second round towards the end of September.

The big unknown and major challenge we will face is when, and what the impact will be, of his hormones kicking in. We will of course seek professional advice as to when it is right to get him neutered - the earlier the better!

Hendrix has settled in well, seems less manic and has found a place in our house to call his own. Of course having a kitten means the total destruction of the sofa and bed!

Regards

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by booktigger »

The biting will be because of being taken from his mum too early. I would speak to your vet when he has his second vaccinations regarding what age they will neuter, as it varies. They will be able to give you an idea of age too. Kitten milk really isn't a necessity, it is a marketing gimmick, and do be aware milk is a food for cats (actually, it is for humans too!), although kittens rarely struggle with weight issues. I would change his dry food asap though, it isn't essential it isn't kitten formula, it's only in recent years that these things have been available, and previously cats grew up fine and lived to decent ages without them.
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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booktigger wrote:The biting will be because of being taken from his mum too early. I would speak to your vet when he has his second vaccinations regarding what age they will neuter, as it varies. .
Hendrix's previous foster carers actually encouraged hand fighting and it is full on biting and scratching. I have stooped getting involved with this despite the fact he continues to have a go! I don't actually mind a friendly "nip" as I can tell the condition of his teeth. As I have very poor eyesight it will be the only way that I can monitor his dental health.

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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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My younger cat Molly is a little horror for biting and scratching, even after 7 years' gentle training, but there's a toy that I can recommend called the wiggly-waggler, a sort of knitted banana sized thing treated with catnip. She likes to clutch and kick it - a kitten would like it even more, like a fellow kitten. It's available on here in the Catchat store. I don't often buy commercial toys but this is really good. Wears her out a bit!

The scrunched up paper's good too; I had a lad who used to fish bits out of the waste-paper basket ... and then drop them back in so as to have the fun of fishing them out again ... and he'd retrieve ... bless him.

Good luck with Hendrix (love the name, very appropriate) :)
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Lilith wrote:My younger cat Molly is a little horror for biting and scratching, even after 7 years' gentle training, but there's a toy that I can recommend called the wiggly-waggler, a sort of knitted banana sized thing treated with catnip. She likes to clutch and kick it - a kitten would like it even more, like a fellow kitten. It's available on here in the Catchat store. I don't often buy commercial toys but this is really good. Wears her out a bit!

The scrunched up paper's good too; I had a lad who used to fish bits out of the waste-paper basket ... and then drop them back in so as to have the fun of fishing them out again ... and he'd retrieve ... bless him.

Good luck with Hendrix (love the name, very appropriate) :)
He was nearly call eLad but the wife did not like that!. Being a big fan of Jimmy Hendrix it was an obvious choice :D

It has only taken a couple of days to get him out of the habit but yes, he used to grip my hand with front claws and teeth and kick the heck out of me with his back legs. Plenty of scratches to prove it!. Not good behavior however as we will need him to be co-operative when it is time for claw clipping and vet visits. Vets don't seem to appreciate being clawed to death ;)

As you have mentioned it - he loves Catnip stuffed toys but does not go "silly" like Mia does and Stealth used to.

Just had a good leg rub from Mia while giving her her afternoon treat :) More on Mia in my next post

Regards

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by Alice »

There's an article here about training cats/kittens not to bite you - hope it may help.....

https://www.purina.co.uk/cats/behaviour ... aign=aug18
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Alice wrote:There's an article here about training cats/kittens not to bite you - hope it may help.....

https://www.purina.co.uk/cats/behaviour ... aign=aug18
Thank you

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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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hendrix-2.jpg
Latest picture of Hendrix
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

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Just over a year ago, Mia appeared in our garden, hungry and thirsty so we did the right thing, fed and watered her.

By the end of Autumn she had walked into our house together with her sole mate, Stealth, and settled down. At this time, however, our house was a place of safety, shelter, warmth with a plentiful supply of food. for them both.

Mia was born as the weakest of her little, lived in a house with 7 or 8 other cats and became isolated. she was not socialized and had to be trapped to get her to the vets to be neutered and chipped. At 1 year old she strayed and lived for 18 months in a neighbors outside loo until presenting herself to us.

After the passing of Stealth at the beginning of July this year, Mia became very close to us, standing on my legs at treat time, brushing legs at breakfast and a couple of weeks ago experiencing her fist fuss. The stroking and fussing has intensified and the past 2 nights, Mia has been waiting in the bedroom for her pre-sleep fuss BEFORE we got into bed. Remarkable, she actually had a fuss before we got into bed, but only briefly as she realized that this was a step forward.

Since the arrival of Hendrix, my admiration for Mia has grown considerably.

We know that Mia trust us and we also known that she is quite maternal and caring. In the last few weeks of Stealth's life, she kept a watching vigil and was never far away from him.

When Hendrix arrived, Mia gave him his space allowing him to settle watched him play and eat. At nighttime the roles were revere and Hendrix watched intently as Mia received her fusses often they were inches apart.

As the days have passed both cats seem quite content with each other IF they are interacting with us. When we are not however, either one or the other are moving closer to the other with a small amount of growling, arching of backs and the occasional hissing.

It now appears that Mia is beginning to want to show "who is boss" and has started to stand her ground. After the fussing session last night, Mi lay down in the bedroom doorway while Hendrix paid a visit to the bathroom. As he started to come back towards he arched his back which met with some growling from Mia and Hendrix backed away and spent sometime with our son.

We know that sooner or later there will be a clash as one or the others tries to stamp their authority on their relationship. We are not however seeing anything nasty in these brief exchanges. Mia, more often than not, remains laying down in a relaxed position and has never arched her back. Ears are never back or flat either.

The first physical contact appears to be getting closer and closer

Clearly Mia's routine remains unchanged which see as only positive. Indeed she is spending even more time with us and enjoying her fusses even more. she actually gave a gentle friendly nip of my wife's finger last night!

Hendrix has now claimed "his place" at the top of the cat tree exactly where Stealth spent his time while Mia is spending a lot more time in the house in "her place". They respect each others places.

Hendrix is even more settled, manic and has put on 150g this past week but his claws are getting longer and sharper - where are the clippers!

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Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by Ruth B »

With any luck there may be little physical violence between them.

When I got Saturn and Freyja i knew it would take Tiggy a bit of time to accept them, Freyja was naturally submissive so Tiggy seemed to accept her quickly. Saturn was a typical teenage lad, always willing to try it on. He soon found out that Tiggy has a mean right hook, but nearly all the time her claws are kept in, she will give him two or three swipes to the head but does no damage, only if he keeps on pushing it do the claws come out, but that is very rare and has only resulted in a couple of scabs in places, no vet treatment needed.

From what I have read cats have a natural instinct against violence, after in wild cats any injury could mean starvation, so they will try and settle matters with body language and vocalisation first in hopes that one will back down before it gets to physical fighting. I think the main time it does get physical is when they are fighting for mating rights, which is just one more reason to spay and neuter.

It does sound like they are getting on very well for the length of time they have been together.
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ThorpeDave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by ThorpeDave »

Ruth B wrote:With any luck there may be little physical violence between them.

It does sound like they are getting on very well for the length of time they have been together.
Although Hendrix is the 6th cat that I have had, he is my first kitten so all very new to me.

We previously had 2 Persians dumped on us a few years ago and we had to re home on of them as she would not settle. Neither were neutered.

From the start we have been determined that Hendrix's arrival did not impact on Mia's routine or space and I think that we have managed - so far - to do that.

Hendrix likes getting high up and will sleep and play in the bowl at the top of the car tree. Mia on the other hand prefer being on the floor even though you can often find her 20 foot up up a tree! Mia has NEVER been on the bed and is rarely found on the furniture

Considering we were not able to do this "by the book" so far so good ;)

Regards

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by Lilith »

Bless her.

When I bred Siamese I also had a large population of crossbreds and moggies, and when a litter started to grow up and explore, the neuters would be so laid-back that they'd just open one eye, oh that time again is it? And go back to sleep again. Although I've told the story before of the Beast of Bodmin lookalike who growled at kittens ... until the day I caught him washing one :lol:

I reckon Mia will have grown up in a cat community, and it's standing her, and Hendrix, in good stead now. Fusses to them both :)
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by ThorpeDave »

Well, Thursday tuned out to be quite an eventful day

Hendrix spent all day on his cat tree after a manic early morning and din't stir until 4pm. when he did there was clearly something wrong.

He was limping very badly and didn't want to eat. Examination of his paw did not show any sign of injury and he did not object. However when we picked him up he screamed.

We were unable to get him in to see the vet so had to go a bit further afield and got him an appointment at 20:15.

After watching him hobble around on the examination table the vet took a close look and again could seen nothing. with me holding him, she then examined his entire leg. FOUND IT! right at the top of his leg he screamed when it was touched. We can only assume that when he jumped something that he landed heavily. The vet was not sure if the bone was broken or simply an impact injury so he was given a pain killing and anti inflammatory injection.

If he was no better 24 hours later he would need x-rays which would be difficult due to where the injury was.

When we got home he came out of his carrier and seemed a lot brighter demolishing his and Mia's supper!

Friday Morning Hendrix was still hobbling around but appeared much brighter so we got some more medication for him from the vets. By Saturday, demolition of our house had resumed at full speed.

whilst at the vets we discussed the neutering of Hendrix which the vet wants to do at 6 months rather than 4. Although this will mean that his hormones will have kicked in I am happy to wait giving us the chance to get vaccinations and other stuff out of the way.

I remain very unhappy that Stealth was castrated, vaccinated and given the strongest flea and worm treatment all on the same day and am convinced that contributed to his rapid decline. Despite the fact that we had requested that this should not happen, he was booked in by a rescue organisation and the vet followed their instructions rather than one I had sent with him.

After we got back from the vets on Thursday there was knock on the door. It was Mia's "owners"

We had asked on 2 previous occasions if they would be willing to transfer "ownership" of Mia to us and they had be very reluctant to do so saying they wanted her back home. We understood this as Mia is such a sweet girl. However, one of the other cats in the house had bullied her and effectively chased her out. It is now known that he was an intact male at that time.

This visit turned out to be different and the documents were immediately handed over to allow us to transfer ownership to us - which was completed first thing Friday morning! We totally appreciate that his would have been difficult for them to do but we now know that they are happy that we are looking after her and bringing her out of her shell.

We talked for quite sometime showing pictures and videos and we are now also helping them to find one of Mia's brothers who also recently strayed. We had managed to capture him on CCTV but he disappeared from the area just over a month ago. Co-incidentally, my wife thought she saw him about a mile away by a veterinary practice so we are keeping in touch to see if we can trace him.

Mia and Hendrix have yet to establish a relationship and we got quite concerned on Saturday and Sunday as Hendrix was hiding in his tunnels and pouncing on Mia. We think that this was "play" rather than being aggressive towards her but she is such a timid cat that she shot out of the house and is now quite wary of tunnels!

The fussing and stroking of Mia has intensified and become a lot more frequent. We believe that this is normal development rather than a reaction to Hendrix's arrival as the process had started before he came to live with us. There is very little in the way of growling and hissing and, this morning they were an inch of touching noses on 2 occasions.

Regards

Dave
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Re: Mia - a new chapter begins

Post by booktigger »

Do hope Hendrix continues to improve. I know you are concerned about the treatments having an effect on Stealth, but being in rescue, we regularly neuter, vaccinate flea and worm at the same time (when doing TNR, you only get one chance) and it really is a rare occurrence. If I remember rightly, they paid for the treatment, which is why it was done that way, but as I said, it is rare.

Glad that Mia is now officially transferred to you and that she is getting better with attention.
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