Meet Jaime :-)
Jun. 5th, 2010 01:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarea
He is my new foster kitty!
I went to Homeward last evening to look at their kitties. They're running a special all month where cat adoptions are only $25 (normally $100). I went in with the intention of getting a female, youngish, short hair.
The females were either all SUPER shy/unwilling to come meet me, not the right type (long hair), or sleeping/uninterested. It was kind of disappointing because even though I know cats aren't super demonstrative, I wasn't sure what was just cat nature and what was just disinterest in me, period. I had always heard my friends' stories of how they selected their pets after a "meet cute" and I kind of wanted my own meet cute.
The first cat was a female named Shannon. She was so shy/traumatized that she could not be coaxed out of her cage no matter what. I didn't think that kind of personality would be good for my household, as a companion for Talis. Another female seemed promising, her name was Gem, and we went into the meet & greet room together. She had no interest in me whatsoever, and was pretty shy about being petted, etc. (not as shy as Shannon, though), I think partly because she'd given birth not too long ago and was still kind of milky. O.o
Feeling a bit discouraged, I decided to expand my search to include male kitties, both because Laurel (the woman who was showing me around, and I think she runs the shelter) said that if the other companion was a dog, it didn't really matter if the cat were a male or female, and because there was a super friendly black & white mix named Dodge who was SO friendly, meowing and wanting to be petted through his cage, etc. So I decided to meet Dodge. Well, it turns out that Dodge is just a trickster, because once in the meet & greet room he had no interest in me whatsoever. All he wanted to do was play with the toys in there LOL. It's like he does what he needs to do to get out of his cage and into that room, it's really all he's interested in!
Meanwhile, one of the staffers was playing with this kitty who caught my eye because he has Talis's coloring. Laurel said that she didn't think he would make a good pet for a first-time cat owner, because he gave love bites when he was really excited, and he was neutered as an adult so he still had some testosterone running through him and wasn't as well behaved as males who are neutered as kittens. But of COURSE this was the cat I had my "meet cute" with. Once in the room he was rubbing up against me and purring and letting me scratch him, and rested his head and paws in my lap as I scratched him. Then I played with him with the cat toys (unlike the other cats, who just wanted to do their own thing once in there). I did experience the "love nipping," but I'm used to that sort of thing from Talis. Jaime doesn't do it nearly as often; just when he's overexcited from playing or petting. He also is more deterred when corrected for it than Talis was; Talis just kept doing it whereas with Jaime a loud "NO!" makes him slink off. Hopefully that means he can be taught not to do it.
Laurel could tell that I liked him but was undecided, so she suggested that I foster him. Basically, they often foster out animals for up to a month that they don't know too much about, so that the foster parent can report back on behavior, whether they get along with kids, other animals, etc. The shelter is still ultimately responsible for him, and if I don't think it's going to work for whatever reason I can take him back at any time. So I have not officially adopted him yet. I want to see how he fits in with Talis, the house, etc.
This is what I know about him from the shelter's website: he's about 2 years old and was surrendered by his last owner because they had a disability and could no longer care for him. As I mentioned he was neutered as an adult (I assume it was when he got to the shelter maybe?). He's listed as a "domestic short hair," by which I think that just means they have no idea what he is and is just a regular mutt, lol. His name is currently Charlie but if I adopt him I'm going to rename him to Jaime, lol. At least the second syllable sounds the same!
They gave me a pamphlet describing how to slowly introduce cats and dogs to one another, such as keeping the cat in a bathroom for the first week, while slowly moving food bowls closer together and what not. So as soon as I got home I put him in the bathroom, then ran and got a bunch of kitty supplies. I forgot the scratching post that first night and had to go back for it this morning. >< He doesn't seem like a big scratcher, though.
Here are some pictures:
See, he's brown and white, just like Talis. I don't know if you can tell from the last photo, but his tail seems shorter than normal. I don't know if he was born that way, if something happened to it, or if his owner had it cut (do people do that?).
Also, he was meowing and meowing in the bathroom, wanting to get out, and Talis was curious about him, too, so I decided to throw caution out the window and let them meet. Jaime (who is currently sleeping on the pillow next to me) doesn't seem overly alarmed about anything, though he does startle easily. He's not afraid of Talis, exactly, and will correct him if he gets too close, but Talis is not sure what to think right now. He doesn't like it that Jaime can jump onto my bed whereas Talis needs my help to get up, lol. Jaime seems interested in Talis, too, but waits until Talis is occupied (such as being scratched by me) to try and sniff him. Then when Talis notices and turns his head, Jaime scurries away. There's been the occasional territorial noises, but I think it's a positive sign that Jaime's not just constantly hiding under things (there is some of that, but he usually comes out pretty quickly).
Gasp! They are both on the bed with me now!! And calm!! Talis is pressed up against me while Jaime has gone back to sleep on the pillow next to me. Oh it's so awesome. (Eeee and now Talis is laying down to sleep too! Their heads are a foot and a half apart!)
I have a few questions, mostly about litter/bathroom habits, and a few other observations...
- How often do kitties usually use the litter box? I've seen/heard Jaime use it ONCE since last night, and that just seems way too little. I'm afraid he might be peeing elsewhere... :/
- I bought a litter box with a lid, but I don't know which way the door should go. Here are the two options:
#1
#2
The problem is that it doesn't just swing back and forth openly. So if you go with #1, the cat has to be able to slightly lift up the flap in order to get in. But if you go with #2, it can get in easily, but then has to duck under the flap in order to get out. Jaime was in the bathroom all last night with the flap as shown in #2, but I'm positive he didn't use it, because when I checked on him this morning, the litter was totally untouched/unmoved, AND because a bit later in the morning, he DID go in, and I could hear the racket he was making trying to get out. I went in to help him, by moving the flap to #1, but now I wonder if I should have just let him figure it out.
Is it easier for him to get out, if it's at #2, or get in, if it's at #1? I've put it back at #2, because I'd rather he be able to get in when he wants to, but I don't know if that's the right way to do it. Do any of you have litter boxes like this?? Am I explaining the situation clearly or am I just confusing things with too many details?
I really don't want him to not use the litter box because of not wanting to get trapped (as is what happened with #2), or not being able to get in (which is what I'm afraid of with #1) -- but he didn't try to get in when I briefly had it at #1 and it's been at #2 ever since. So I just don't know. Should I make him stay in the bathroom until I can be sure?? I so don't want him peeing in the house or developing a habit to pee in the house.
- Jaime seems totally uninterested in the cat treats I bought him. :/ They're the soft and chewy kind, supposedly tuna/seafood flavored. Talis, who hates normal dog treats (he only eats chicken jerky) loves them, lol. When Jaime walks away Talis goes in and eats them. Is this cat weird for not liking cat treats?
- I bought a catnip plant and have transferred it to a bigger container. I'm keeping it outside so that Jaime won't constantly try to go after it. It's apparently super invasive, being in the mint family. :/ I picked off one of the leaves and gave it to Jaime, who loved it, and behaved as cats typically behave around catnip. It's such a cool/strange/funny phenomenon.
- He loves playing with the various toys I got him (and Talis likes watching him play with them, though seems perplexed at why Jaime finds them so interesting), but as I mentioned before doesn't seem like a big scratcher. He's only briefly used the scratching post, and has used what looks like a strip of carpet (filled with catnip) hanging from one of the doorknobs a few times. Hopefully this means he'll leave the furniture alone.
- The shelter gave me some of the food he's been eating there, to mix it with whatever cat food I end up giving him. I mixed them up in a dish last night and this morning it was half gone, so at least he's eating (even if he doesn't like my treats!). I also bought a can of wet food, but I don't want to give it to him all at once; I don't want to spoil him! Can I give him a bit at a time? How long does wet food keep for in the fridge once opened? Or maybe I shouldn't get him started on wet food at all; I just don't know!
I went to Homeward last evening to look at their kitties. They're running a special all month where cat adoptions are only $25 (normally $100). I went in with the intention of getting a female, youngish, short hair.
The females were either all SUPER shy/unwilling to come meet me, not the right type (long hair), or sleeping/uninterested. It was kind of disappointing because even though I know cats aren't super demonstrative, I wasn't sure what was just cat nature and what was just disinterest in me, period. I had always heard my friends' stories of how they selected their pets after a "meet cute" and I kind of wanted my own meet cute.
The first cat was a female named Shannon. She was so shy/traumatized that she could not be coaxed out of her cage no matter what. I didn't think that kind of personality would be good for my household, as a companion for Talis. Another female seemed promising, her name was Gem, and we went into the meet & greet room together. She had no interest in me whatsoever, and was pretty shy about being petted, etc. (not as shy as Shannon, though), I think partly because she'd given birth not too long ago and was still kind of milky. O.o
Feeling a bit discouraged, I decided to expand my search to include male kitties, both because Laurel (the woman who was showing me around, and I think she runs the shelter) said that if the other companion was a dog, it didn't really matter if the cat were a male or female, and because there was a super friendly black & white mix named Dodge who was SO friendly, meowing and wanting to be petted through his cage, etc. So I decided to meet Dodge. Well, it turns out that Dodge is just a trickster, because once in the meet & greet room he had no interest in me whatsoever. All he wanted to do was play with the toys in there LOL. It's like he does what he needs to do to get out of his cage and into that room, it's really all he's interested in!
Meanwhile, one of the staffers was playing with this kitty who caught my eye because he has Talis's coloring. Laurel said that she didn't think he would make a good pet for a first-time cat owner, because he gave love bites when he was really excited, and he was neutered as an adult so he still had some testosterone running through him and wasn't as well behaved as males who are neutered as kittens. But of COURSE this was the cat I had my "meet cute" with. Once in the room he was rubbing up against me and purring and letting me scratch him, and rested his head and paws in my lap as I scratched him. Then I played with him with the cat toys (unlike the other cats, who just wanted to do their own thing once in there). I did experience the "love nipping," but I'm used to that sort of thing from Talis. Jaime doesn't do it nearly as often; just when he's overexcited from playing or petting. He also is more deterred when corrected for it than Talis was; Talis just kept doing it whereas with Jaime a loud "NO!" makes him slink off. Hopefully that means he can be taught not to do it.
Laurel could tell that I liked him but was undecided, so she suggested that I foster him. Basically, they often foster out animals for up to a month that they don't know too much about, so that the foster parent can report back on behavior, whether they get along with kids, other animals, etc. The shelter is still ultimately responsible for him, and if I don't think it's going to work for whatever reason I can take him back at any time. So I have not officially adopted him yet. I want to see how he fits in with Talis, the house, etc.
This is what I know about him from the shelter's website: he's about 2 years old and was surrendered by his last owner because they had a disability and could no longer care for him. As I mentioned he was neutered as an adult (I assume it was when he got to the shelter maybe?). He's listed as a "domestic short hair," by which I think that just means they have no idea what he is and is just a regular mutt, lol. His name is currently Charlie but if I adopt him I'm going to rename him to Jaime, lol. At least the second syllable sounds the same!
They gave me a pamphlet describing how to slowly introduce cats and dogs to one another, such as keeping the cat in a bathroom for the first week, while slowly moving food bowls closer together and what not. So as soon as I got home I put him in the bathroom, then ran and got a bunch of kitty supplies. I forgot the scratching post that first night and had to go back for it this morning. >< He doesn't seem like a big scratcher, though.
Here are some pictures:
See, he's brown and white, just like Talis. I don't know if you can tell from the last photo, but his tail seems shorter than normal. I don't know if he was born that way, if something happened to it, or if his owner had it cut (do people do that?).
Also, he was meowing and meowing in the bathroom, wanting to get out, and Talis was curious about him, too, so I decided to throw caution out the window and let them meet. Jaime (who is currently sleeping on the pillow next to me) doesn't seem overly alarmed about anything, though he does startle easily. He's not afraid of Talis, exactly, and will correct him if he gets too close, but Talis is not sure what to think right now. He doesn't like it that Jaime can jump onto my bed whereas Talis needs my help to get up, lol. Jaime seems interested in Talis, too, but waits until Talis is occupied (such as being scratched by me) to try and sniff him. Then when Talis notices and turns his head, Jaime scurries away. There's been the occasional territorial noises, but I think it's a positive sign that Jaime's not just constantly hiding under things (there is some of that, but he usually comes out pretty quickly).
Gasp! They are both on the bed with me now!! And calm!! Talis is pressed up against me while Jaime has gone back to sleep on the pillow next to me. Oh it's so awesome. (Eeee and now Talis is laying down to sleep too! Their heads are a foot and a half apart!)
I have a few questions, mostly about litter/bathroom habits, and a few other observations...
- How often do kitties usually use the litter box? I've seen/heard Jaime use it ONCE since last night, and that just seems way too little. I'm afraid he might be peeing elsewhere... :/
- I bought a litter box with a lid, but I don't know which way the door should go. Here are the two options:
#1
#2
The problem is that it doesn't just swing back and forth openly. So if you go with #1, the cat has to be able to slightly lift up the flap in order to get in. But if you go with #2, it can get in easily, but then has to duck under the flap in order to get out. Jaime was in the bathroom all last night with the flap as shown in #2, but I'm positive he didn't use it, because when I checked on him this morning, the litter was totally untouched/unmoved, AND because a bit later in the morning, he DID go in, and I could hear the racket he was making trying to get out. I went in to help him, by moving the flap to #1, but now I wonder if I should have just let him figure it out.
Is it easier for him to get out, if it's at #2, or get in, if it's at #1? I've put it back at #2, because I'd rather he be able to get in when he wants to, but I don't know if that's the right way to do it. Do any of you have litter boxes like this?? Am I explaining the situation clearly or am I just confusing things with too many details?
I really don't want him to not use the litter box because of not wanting to get trapped (as is what happened with #2), or not being able to get in (which is what I'm afraid of with #1) -- but he didn't try to get in when I briefly had it at #1 and it's been at #2 ever since. So I just don't know. Should I make him stay in the bathroom until I can be sure?? I so don't want him peeing in the house or developing a habit to pee in the house.
- Jaime seems totally uninterested in the cat treats I bought him. :/ They're the soft and chewy kind, supposedly tuna/seafood flavored. Talis, who hates normal dog treats (he only eats chicken jerky) loves them, lol. When Jaime walks away Talis goes in and eats them. Is this cat weird for not liking cat treats?
- I bought a catnip plant and have transferred it to a bigger container. I'm keeping it outside so that Jaime won't constantly try to go after it. It's apparently super invasive, being in the mint family. :/ I picked off one of the leaves and gave it to Jaime, who loved it, and behaved as cats typically behave around catnip. It's such a cool/strange/funny phenomenon.
- He loves playing with the various toys I got him (and Talis likes watching him play with them, though seems perplexed at why Jaime finds them so interesting), but as I mentioned before doesn't seem like a big scratcher. He's only briefly used the scratching post, and has used what looks like a strip of carpet (filled with catnip) hanging from one of the doorknobs a few times. Hopefully this means he'll leave the furniture alone.
- The shelter gave me some of the food he's been eating there, to mix it with whatever cat food I end up giving him. I mixed them up in a dish last night and this morning it was half gone, so at least he's eating (even if he doesn't like my treats!). I also bought a can of wet food, but I don't want to give it to him all at once; I don't want to spoil him! Can I give him a bit at a time? How long does wet food keep for in the fridge once opened? Or maybe I shouldn't get him started on wet food at all; I just don't know!
no subject
Date: 2010-06-05 10:23 pm (UTC)some cats just don't like the cat treats. or it could be the flavor.
the soft cat food can last 2 or 3 days in the fridge. make sure you cover it with plastic wrap or something. or the whole fridge will smell like cat food.
BTW there's a community called cats, were they might be able to answer your questions better.
http://cats.dreamwidth.org/
no subject
Date: 2010-06-07 04:28 pm (UTC)I have two different flavors of cat treats and he doesn't like either of them. :/ It could be that it's because they are soft treats. I am going to try crunchy treats and if he refuses those as well I'll just have to come to the conclusion that he's one of those cats who doesn't like treats.
Thanks for your tips!