Sorry for the length of this message, but I value everyone's opinions on this list, and I really need some advice.
My last little kitten, Alex, was passed over by his first prospective family because they didn't think he was outgoing enough. Then, he got very ill and was on antibiotics for ten days, after which his second prospective owner bailed on me. Sooooo....I still have little Alex who is ten weeks old and counting.
In the beginning, I thought mom cat Grace would settle down when all the kittens were gone. After chasing down and beating up my cats on numerous occasions (even squeezing under the door to do it), I think the best they'll ever do is tolerate her. I pray that we'll get there one day!
I am going to have to go with my dad to my uncle's memorial service in Oregon (date not yet set, but in the next two weeks). I have two sisters who are staying in town and I'm sure will feed the cats and scoop the litter boxes, but I can't predict what will happen with Grace.
I'm thinking about taking either Grace alone or Grace with kitten to my best friend's house for the time I'm away. She doesn't have any pets. Would it be a good time to put some distance between her and Alex, or would it be upsetting for him to lose me and his mom at the same time?
And, how stressful would it be for Grace?
The alternative would be risking Grace getting loose and attacking one of the other cats while my sisters try to catch her. Not fun....I've done it too many times. Help!
Advice - How to Sort Out the Cats While I'm Out of Town?
Advice - How to Sort Out the Cats While I'm Out of Town?
Pat and Feline Family - William, Sarah Jane, Amanda, Grace, and Grace's little boy, Alex (and "Carport Cat" Norman)
Re: Advice - How to Sort Out the Cats While I'm Out of Town?
I can definately see your predicament!
I would keep Grace and Alex together, but not sure about taking them out of your home, that alone would be stressful on both of them, not to mention the reintroduction with your other cats when you're back home.
If your sisters will check at least twice a day, I'd opt for seperation....meaning, part of the day, let the rest of the cats out (keep Grace and kitten together in a seperate area), and then when your sisters check in on them again, let Grace and Alex out and seperate the other cats. This way, both 'sets' of cats can have free roam of the house at different times of the day. It would require your sisters check at least twice throughout the day.
Assuming Grace and Alex get along well, right? How long do you plan to be away?
I would keep Grace and Alex together, but not sure about taking them out of your home, that alone would be stressful on both of them, not to mention the reintroduction with your other cats when you're back home.
If your sisters will check at least twice a day, I'd opt for seperation....meaning, part of the day, let the rest of the cats out (keep Grace and kitten together in a seperate area), and then when your sisters check in on them again, let Grace and Alex out and seperate the other cats. This way, both 'sets' of cats can have free roam of the house at different times of the day. It would require your sisters check at least twice throughout the day.
Assuming Grace and Alex get along well, right? How long do you plan to be away?
..........Traci
Re: Advice - How to Sort Out the Cats While I'm Out of Town?
Grace and Alex get along fine for the most part. He treats her like another kitten and jumps on her, chases her, generally abuses her. Then, he wants her to be Mommy and let him nurse.
I don't think my sisters can handle herding the cats around. Two of my three cats are *very* shy around outsiders (people and other cats), and they'll just hide altogether. In fact, Amanda has practically lived under my bed since I brought Grace into the household. I have to carry her around, and she whimpers the whole time, not really believing that I can protect her from Grace.
If Grace stays at my house, there must be TWO doors closed between Grace and the other cats, because if she even sees them, she will chase them down and beat the stuffing out of them. This is the way I now live, with litter boxes and cat food dishes in every corner of the house, and I sneak back and forth.
I know you won't approve, but I've started leaving Grace outside with Norman during the day and letting her in to be with Alex at night. That way, my three cats and Alex have the run of the house for awhile and can relax. At least Grace and Norman now have been spayed and neutered, have had all their shots, and get regular meals and water....much more than my neighbors (their real owners) have ever done for them.
Any way I go, it will be stressful for all the cats *and* for the folks taking care of them.
I don't think my sisters can handle herding the cats around. Two of my three cats are *very* shy around outsiders (people and other cats), and they'll just hide altogether. In fact, Amanda has practically lived under my bed since I brought Grace into the household. I have to carry her around, and she whimpers the whole time, not really believing that I can protect her from Grace.
If Grace stays at my house, there must be TWO doors closed between Grace and the other cats, because if she even sees them, she will chase them down and beat the stuffing out of them. This is the way I now live, with litter boxes and cat food dishes in every corner of the house, and I sneak back and forth.
I know you won't approve, but I've started leaving Grace outside with Norman during the day and letting her in to be with Alex at night. That way, my three cats and Alex have the run of the house for awhile and can relax. At least Grace and Norman now have been spayed and neutered, have had all their shots, and get regular meals and water....much more than my neighbors (their real owners) have ever done for them.
Any way I go, it will be stressful for all the cats *and* for the folks taking care of them.
Pat and Feline Family - William, Sarah Jane, Amanda, Grace, and Grace's little boy, Alex (and "Carport Cat" Norman)