Ricky Ricardo meets Viktor Petrovski

Ricky Ricardo meets Viktor Petrovski (Full Version)

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NuevaVida -> Ricky Ricardo meets Viktor Petrovski (10/29/2008 12:27:32 AM)
On Sunday my friend brought her cat over to meet mine. Silly us, we hoped they would get along and be playmates. Her gorgeous black long-hair is named Ricky Ricardo. My gorgeous (yeah, I'm partial) white medium-hair is named Viktor Petrovski (I like Russian names and deemed him a white russian). It was like watching Wild Kingdom in my living room. I had been concerned that Viktor would be territorial, and we introduced them slowly, giving Ricky a chance to scope out the place first and find a suitable hiding spot. When we put them together, Viktor was so happy and excited, and wanted to check Ricky out...following him like velcro-kitty all over the place, trying to sniff, pounce, play, and otherwise be merry. Ricky would have no part of it. He spent the entire afternoon hissing Viktor away at a safe distance. But Viktor takes after me, and is OCD and relentless. He wouldn't give up. No serious fighting or anything, but it took about 6 hours for Viktor to exhaust himself and leave Ricky alone. Who knew that Ricky Ricardo was such a grump?? I'm a new and ignorant cat owner. Is this typical? I realize cats are not social like dogs, but can you really put two cats together and have them get along? I'm thinking of bringing a new kitty home after the holidays, now that I see how happy my little guy was to have a potential playmate. I'm thinking I'll need to get a younger cat, though, who can adapt better. Whaddya think??

moonvine -> RE: Ricky Ricardo meets Viktor Petrovski (10/29/2008 1:16:20 AM)
Yes, you can put two cats together and have them get along, usually (it depends on the individual cat). I do cat rescue and have successfully introduced many cats, however I do have one who is always going to be picked on by the other cats (I don't know why - she just allows them to bully her). We had another cat that could never be with any other cats or she would pee everywhere and on everything. Finally got her placed with a couple who understand they can never have another cat with her (she is beautifully behaved as long as there are no other cats around - she's fine with dogs, kids, people, everything but other cats). This is pretty unusual and I think something bad may have happened to her at some point. We recommend a slow introduction - put the new cat in the bathroom for the first couple of weeks, and let them get used to each other from a distance, play footsie under the door, all that. Whoever you adopt your new cat from should have a good idea of whether they will get along with other cats or not from having observed them. If Ricky has been an only cat for a long period of time, it may be hard for him to get used to being around another cat. Two is usually better than one where cats are concerned, as they really are in general social creatures. We have one right now that is VERY cat oriented and I would never place him in a house with no other cats, he wouldn't do well at all. Younger cats do have a tendency to adapt better than older cats, but cats in general do not like change. Older cats in rescue often grieve themselves to death, it is horribly sad. Feel free to cmail me on the other side with cat-related questions...

VirginPotty -> RE: Ricky Ricardo meets Viktor Petrovski (10/29/2008 6:22:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: moonvine Yes, you can put two cats together and have them get along, usually (it depends on the individual cat). I do cat rescue and have successfully introduced many cats, however I do have one who is always going to be picked on by the other cats (I don't know why - she just allows them to bully her). We had another cat that could never be with any other cats or she would pee everywhere and on everything. Finally got her placed with a couple who understand they can never have another cat with her (she is beautifully behaved as long as there are no other cats around - she's fine with dogs, kids, people, everything but other cats). This is pretty unusual and I think something bad may have happened to her at some point. We recommend a slow introduction - put the new cat in the bathroom for the first couple of weeks, and let them get used to each other from a distance, play footsie under the door, all that. Whoever you adopt your new cat from should have a good idea of whether they will get along with other cats or not from having observed them. If Ricky has been an only cat for a long period of time, it may be hard for him to get used to being around another cat. Two is usually better than one where cats are concerned, as they really are in general social creatures. We have one right now that is VERY cat oriented and I would never place him in a house with no other cats, he wouldn't do well at all. Younger cats do have a tendency to adapt better than older cats, but cats in general do not like change. Older cats in rescue often grieve themselves to death, it is horribly sad. Feel free to cmail me on the other side with cat-related questions... Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm fostering a 3 month old kitten right now & my 2 cats, male & female are giving her a hard time, HISSING & growling...I emphasize hissing because the male hisses so hard it seems like he's spitting :( But I know from experience they'll eventually accept her. They did the same thing w/another foster I brought home just a few months ago. Kittens are definitely easier to introduce than adult cats, but if you find an adult cat you want to adopt, like Monnvine said, ask the rescue group if the cat in question gets along well w/other cats and will accept being in the "submissive" role. (Quite the irony, eh)??

NuevaVida -> RE: Ricky Ricardo meets Viktor Petrovski (10/29/2008 8:32:35 AM)
I think that was the problem with Ricky. He's older (about 6) and has been an only cat for years. He was not at all happy with frisky little Viktor jumping all over him. I felt bad for him, and I knew he was relieved to get the hell outta here!! Thanks for the tips on introducing. I'll do that when I bring home my second little love. [:)]

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