Re: OT: Cat question

Long as no one is getting hurt, I say just let them be to work it out. Some cats will become friends with a new one, some will at least tolerate them, if barely, and others may never really care for having them around, but I think they will adjust.

Witness the German Shep I brought home last year. She'd never seen a cat I don't think. First chased them, barking furiously, wouldn't leave them alone. Now she is still interested and follows them around sometimes, but she also ignores them a good deal of the time. Some put up with her or even seem to like her a little. Then there's one who just hates her. He wasn't nice to the dogs we had when we got him as a kitten either. It was cute, though. Other day, poor dog aparently was trying her best to make up. She took her stuffed toy over his way and looked at him like she does us when she is inviting us to play with her. LOL. The cat wasn't impressed in the least.


CindyB wrote:
We have a female cat, Sheba, a couple of years old and queen of the
castle. Has never been around other animal since we adopted her at
about 7 weeks of age. Strictly an indoor cat. 

We have a male dog, Rascal, 9-1/2 years old. Mutt - part beagle, part
terrier (who knows what kind of terrier). Mostly an indoor dog. Only
goes out with human supervision. Has never been around any other
animals except Sheba.

Introduce Shadow, a stray cat with brilliant yellow eyes and a bob
tail. Longish fur, dark brown with red highlights. Could be very
beautiful if cleaned up. She's been "ours" for at least a month now.
Stays outside. Wants to come inside. It's been determined that she's
female. 

We've taken Rascal out to see Shadow. Sometimes he barks his fool head
off and sometimes he's just curious. Shadow is a little afraid of him
and usually runs from him. If Rascal isn't held onto, he'll chase her
but never catches her. (Wouldn't have the faintest idea what to do if
he did catch her.)

Today, while Rascal was outside, we let Shadow into the house to see
what would happen. Sheba took one look, meowed, hissed, and ran into
the basement to hide. Shadow walked around the house for about 5
minutes just checking things out. Then we took her back outside and
brought Rascal back in.

Since then, Sheba has been meowing, hiding in bookcases, looking over
her shoulder, and generally acting like she thinks Shadow is still
here and ready to pounce.

We really like the new cat. She's playful and affectionate. Sheba is
Queen. Not all that playful and affectionate when she feels like it.
But we would never replace her. She was here first. Well, actually,
Rascal was here first and will never be replaced either.

Question #1. Is this normal behavior? Question #2. Is it possible to get the 3 animals to coexist in 1
house?
Question #3. If it's possible, how would we go about it without
traumatizing any of the animals?

Thanks for any advice.
CindyB

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Relevant Pages

  • OT: Cat question
    ... We have a female cat, Sheba, a couple of years old and queen of the ... Strictly an indoor cat. ... animals except Sheba. ... We've taken Rascal out to see Shadow. ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
  • Re: OT: Cat question
    ... I would try to put Shadow in a cat ... cat in a carrier. ... > Not to sound completely hopeless, I would try to put Shadow in a cat ... >> animals except Sheba. ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
  • Re: OT: Cat question
    ... I would try to put Shadow in a cat ... Mostly an indoor dog. ... > animals except Sheba. ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
  • Re: Leila, was Re: test
    ... I would *never* do that to any cat, but saw no reason to hold it against the cat herself. ... Pickle's twolegs is our 4 year old son, Cary and Pickle will allow himself to be loved on inthe unique and enthusiastic sort ow way that is unique to young children. ... Suki is Pickle's brother but due to a general mix up at the time of adoption and his general appearance and demeanor, we've decided that Suki is a 'she'. ... She is also white and long haired and it just so happened that Shadow was found just a few streets away from where Pickle & Suki had come from, and she was estimated tobe 'about 2' the same age as Suki & Pickle. ...
    (rec.pets.cats.anecdotes)
  • Re: OT: Cat question
    ... >I've been around cats and dogs all my life, and a lot of the times it's ... Unless Shadow reacts to ... the cat carrier the same way Queen Sheba does. ... She's very affectionate and much more playful than Sheba. ...
    (sci.med.transcription)