Our greatest joy is feeding all four cats in the morning and watching them all eating together. Even though we had a rough start in terms of integrating the boys with the girls, now it's has if they've always been together. In fact, the torti-girl who seemed to hate the boys with the heat of thousand white-hot suns is now their best friend. She's more active and playful than her sister, so have two hyper little brothers is just what the doctor ordered. Once in a while they get into some hard core fighting, but mostly they just scamper and chase. One morning at 3 or 4, we heard the sound of ball being kicked across the hardwood floor in the bedroom. When I turned the light on, I saw all four of them engaged in a kitty soccer game! The nails on the boys are still a problem (we got off easy last week when we took them to the vet for their last set of shots. He cut their nails--with two of us holding them down. They use the multiple scratching posts and toys but their nails grow super fast so we do have to cut them. Other than that, everyone is healthy and happy (the girls will be 1-year in May and the boys will be celebrating their b-days later on in October). Now that the four don't seem like a big deal, we're thinking of getting two more...ha.
RESPONSE:
Well, you know our feelings...the more the merrier!!! Glad all your babies are doing well and you are too! Keep having fun and let us know if you adopt any more!
Donna House Full Cats Mom
Feb 12, 2009 Rating
update on the 4-cat household by: Natalie
Hi Donna, I would have written sooner but my hard drive decided to die and it's taken me almost 2 weeks to get up and running again. Update: all four cats are together now. That's not to say it's all hearts and roses (just in time for Valentine's Day!), but compared to a month ago when we brought the boys home, this is paradise. Our polydactyl torti "mothers" the boys and sometimes all 3 of them sleep together.
The other torti female still doesn't like the boys, but hisses a lot less and doesn't hit them as frequently. Ironically, though, no matter what she does to the boys, they seem to really like her and want to play with her. So I think things are progressing the way you said they would. I'm just so glad I found you and your site!
New question for you - the boys don't like having their nails trimmed and looking at my shredded wrists and legs, I'm thinking I need to try something new. I see that you recommended those "sacks" to put them in so one paw is available at time for trimming. I was wondering if there was anything else we could try. Thanks again for EVERYTHING, Donna!!
RESPONSE Natalie: So glad to hear everything is getting better! We just knew it would! As to cutting the nails, you could try wrapping the cat tightly in a towel and/or, have someone hold the cat while you trim the nails. Some cats tolerate it better with a cat muzzle on which also blinds them so they tend not to try to escape quite so hard. The restraint sacks are really the only way to go for nail trimming. To protect your hands, get a pair of leather work gloves and cut the bottom of the finger tips off. This will allow you to still feel what you are touching and how much pressure you are applying but still protect the rest of your hands and fingers. To be honest, we don't routinely trim our cats nails. We just keep a lot of sisal scratching posts around and only trim the nails of older cats or invilid cats that can't groom properly. It is just not worth the stress to the cats to cut their nails. Keep enjoying your new little family!
Donna House Full Cats Mom
Jan 28, 2009 Rating
How did you know?? by: Natalie
Hi Donna,
You're either psychic or know the feline world intimately (I suspect the latter). Yes, we've been letting the boys and girls play together and other than the hissing and smacking, it hasn't been too bad. Of course, we still don't want to leave them unsupervised.
As expected Darwin (dominate female) and Bruno (dominate male) have been having stare downs. So far, Darwin has been winning. When Bruno climbed on "her" cat tree, she punched him and knocked him to the floor. When he came back, she did it again. He didn't return for a third smackdown (they do seem to be oddly fascinated with one another). The other two are more fearful but there's not been a whole lot of engagement other than hissing and batting with paws.
Thanks to having four felines, we're redoing the basement into a play area for them (we've already built perches throughout our house which is now resembling a petting zoo). We hope that as they get older and can roam freely that having more space will alleviate any territory battles. We're less tense too realizing that this new household arrangement may just work out after all! Thanks again, Donna! Natalie
RESPONSE
Natalie:
So glad to hear things are working out! We have siblings that, even at 2 years old, still box and wrestle with each other! Cats are like kids that never really grow up - which is one thing that makes them so much fun! And it wouldn't surprise us, if, a year from now, you tell us you have adopted another pair of siblings! Have fun and enjoy your furry family!
Donna House Full Cat Mom
Jan 25, 2009 Rating
Cat fights-Continued by: Natalie
Hi Donna,
We feel so reassured reading your analysis of our cat-situation. I would have never known that the girls are just working through their stress (and increasing ours!) as they fight.
I forgot to mention that both sets of cats came from the Humane Society, so all were spayed/neutered before we adopted them.
Today was better than yesterday. We still gave all of the cats a chance to spend time with each other (the male kittens were in a cage to ensure their safety for their time together). One of the girls (a polydactyl named Darwin) is not as afraid of the boys as her sister, Olive, seems to be. Darwin goes up to the cage, sits, stares, hisses a bit and smacks them with her paws (she's the only cat I've ever had that punches instead of scratches. It could be because her paws are more like Oven Mitts!). The girls did attack each other after we put the boys back in their room, but it wasn't as vicious as the day before.
The boys are friendly and seem unaffected by the girls' hostility. We are taking turns spending the night with the boys too (the girls already sleep with us). When the time comes, I'm sure we'll be getting a giant bed to accommodate us and four cats!
Thanks for your counsel and advice on our most interesting journey ever!! We will keep you posted.
Natalie:
Let the boys out to play with the girls! There will be some hissing and smacking but this will happen no matter how long you keep them separated! The girls will assert their superiority over the boys and the boys will allow it - for now! And, while it make look scary, the girls will not hurt the boys. All of them are still young and learning about how their little worlds work so it's time to let them all figure it out together! Enjoy!
