I have a 13 year old cat that I've had since she was 5 weeks old. She is so very very special to me, we've been thru a lot together. She's been with me through the death of 2 of 4 of my family members, the other 2 died before she came to me. She's also been with me through a divorce, after 20 years together with a person which she knows as her daddy. I'm momma. But anyway she's all that I have left in this life. She's everything to me. It's almost like we can almost in some ways understand each other by habits.
Here recently a momma cat had her kittens on my covered patio. When the two kittens were about 3 months old, she left them here on the porch. I guess because she knew I would feed them and so forth. But my 13 year old (Gizmo) does not like them at all. I would love to take the 2 kittens to the vet, get their shots, get them fixed, and make sure they're healthy to be around Gizmo. I've been slowly trying to introduce them to each other through the screen door for over a month now, but Gizmo won't have anything to do with it. She hisses at them all the time, and if I leave the room she'll luge at door like she's going to get them.
These kittens have never been around any other cats and I am sure they don't understand why she's like that. They're very curious about Gizmo though. Recently, a few weeks ago, I found out that Gizmo has a bacteria in her pancreas, which is killing me inside, she's all I have left. 2 years ago I became permanently disabled, and she's always here for me, always. The kittens could never take the place of Gizmo, I wouldn't even think that way. But I hate seeing these 2 beautiful kittens being so alone outside. They never even leave my yard. But I just don't know how to get Gizmo to ever accept them enough to bring them into the house. I'm so afraid she would really hurt them, and that's something that I wouldn't be able to handle. Please offer any suggestions, this is a tough one.
Thank you Cathy and Gizmo
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You have a very old cat. She is set in her ways, and I would not introduce a kitten at this point in her life, as she is ill as well.
Awww. Prayers for all!
You can have both, with separate but equal treatment. It is doable with baby gates and/or a series of closed doors or if you are able, an upstairs and downstairs divide.
For years I have cat sat cats with this arrangement (Brown Boy was upstairs and Jessie was downstairs) and everyone was loved, happy and well fed, separately.
It may take a little extra effort but everyone can win. In your world, Gizmo gets to feel like an only and the kittens get a new mom. With Gizmo's issues it is not fair to introduce him to others and the kittens don't need the stress. With separate but equal everyone can have their friskies and eat them too!
Wishing you all the best!
I have kept cats separately in the house too. It does mean extra time out of your day to visit with everybody, but it can be done. You could also consider a pet door into the garage for the kittens so they can get in out of the weather. There is an outside cat house called the kitty tube. It is insulated, weather tight, critter proof and can be heated. I put one on my front porch when I found a neighborhood cat sitting there when it was 14 degrees out. It has been there for 3 years now, and he is in it every night.
What a beautiful (but sad too) story and I feel that many ThriftyFun readers have had to face somewhat similar problems.
If Gizmo is 13 years old and has always been an only cat, I do not believe you should change anything about her lifestyle.
One reason; she is very set and happy in her secure home with a momma that loves her and will not understand why it has to change. The kittens may be too big of a challenge for her at this stage in her life.
Do not make any changes that will cause her stress and I am saying this for your sake as well as she is a senior and could have health problems at anytime (I'm sure you already know this) and you do not want to think (later) that some change you made could have caused her problems.
I would take the kittens to the vet and get them started on having a healthy life but make their home outside and - you may want to make it so Gizmo does not have to see the kittens.
You can always take a few minutes a day to hold and play with the kittens and since there are 2 of them they will have company all the time. Make your patio a haven for them and they will be happy campers!!
I agree with the other posters about having 2 separate areas in the house but since you have a nice outdoor area I would tend to say - leave the kittens outside.
One way to gradually add the kittens to Gizmo's life is to hold the kittens in your lap sometimes and do not change clothes so that when you hold Gizmo she will gradually become used to their scent (and that is a very important step).
Another way is to let the kittens sleep on a towel or small blanket and then bring it inside and lay it somewhere that Gizmo goes - not in her sleeping spots but maybe near them.
All of this is a slow process but it should be Gizmo's decision about who lives (invades) in her house (in this situation).
Good luck - i feel you have the best of two worlds - a loving long time companion and 2 new adorable creatures to make you smile and forget your pains for awhile.
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