New cat update

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Justin L - 06 Feb 2005 05:56 GMT

The new cat seems to be settling in well. He is eating well, and is
using his litter box without any problems. He is constantly moving his
front paws though, it looks like he is giving the carpet a massage or
something. I am wondering if it has something to do with his short claws
which I still haven't managed to get a good look at yet. Maybe he is
just a little nervous, after all he has had a hectic last few days.

I am a little nervous around him because a few times while petting him,
it looked like he was going for a bite. Maybe I was wrong, and he was
just moving or something. I guess it will take time for both of us to
trust each other.

Right now, young Elwood is glued to the door, and they are pawing at
each other under it. Every time the new cat meows, Elwood gets all
excited looking, and rubs up against the door. I can't see what the
other cat is doing while this is going on, but I haven't heard any
hissing or growling.

Maybe tomorrow I will let them get a quick look at each other to see
what happens.

Justin

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Mary - 06 Feb 2005 06:09 GMT

> The new cat seems to be settling in well. He is eating well, and is
> using his litter box without any problems. He is constantly moving his
> front paws though, it looks like he is giving the carpet a massage or
> something. I am wondering if it has something to do with his short claws
> which I still haven't managed to get a good look at yet. Maybe he is
> just a little nervous, after all he has had a hectic last few days.

Justin!! He is kneading, a typical behavior of very happy cats.
Kittens to that to their moms when they feed. Later in life, when
a cat feels safe and happy and secure, he kneads. Congrats, your
new cat loves you and feels happy and safe!! (In the south we call it
"making biscuits!" :)

> I am a little nervous around him because a few times while petting him,
> it looked like he was going for a bite. Maybe I was wrong, and he was
> just moving or something. I guess it will take time for both of us to
> trust each other.

Sometimes they do love bites. But more likely he wants to rub
his muzzle on you. He has scent glands in the side of his face.
He wants to mark you as his own!

> Right now, young Elwood is glued to the door, and they are pawing at
> each other under it. Every time the new cat meows, Elwood gets all
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Maybe tomorrow I will let them get a quick look at each other to see
> what happens.

That sounds like a great idea, and you sound like a perfect
cat person. Have you named him yet?

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Justin L - 07 Feb 2005 03:32 GMT

>>The new cat seems to be settling in well. He is eating well, and is
>>using his litter box without any problems. He is constantly moving his
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> new cat loves you and feels happy and safe!! (In the south we call it
> "making biscuits!" :)

Ahh, so that's what he's doing. Cool, I am glad there's nothing wrong :P

>>I am a little nervous around him because a few times while petting him,
>>it looked like he was going for a bite. Maybe I was wrong, and he was
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> his muzzle on you. He has scent glands in the side of his face.
> He wants to mark you as his own!

Yea, he does do that muzzle rub thing. Today I figured out he wanted
under his chin rubbed when he rolls over on his back and grabs my hand
with his paws. The first time he did that, I thought he was attacking!

>>Right now, young Elwood is glued to the door, and they are pawing at
>>each other under it. Every time the new cat meows, Elwood gets all
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> That sounds like a great idea, and you sound like a perfect
> cat person. Have you named him yet?

Not yet, but working on it :P

Justin

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Karen Chuplis - 06 Feb 2005 06:12 GMT

It's called kneading or pussy footing or making biscuits. They do it because
they feel good.

*If* he would bite at you while petting because he is overstimulated, just
keep your hand still and say "nnnoooooo" and when he lets up, take your hand
away and leave him alone and go do something else. I have a cat who gets
this way after too much petting. She does not bite hard. Probably you will
be able to tell more as you get to know him better.

> Right now, young Elwood is glued to the door, and they are pawing at
> each other under it. Every time the new cat meows, Elwood gets all
> excited looking, and rubs up against the door. I can't see what the
> other cat is doing while this is going on, but I haven't heard any
> hissing or growling.

That's good!

> Maybe tomorrow I will let them get a quick look at each other to see
> what happens.
>
> Justin

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Ann - 06 Feb 2005 20:11 GMT

I will take awhile for both of you to learn to trust each other. I'm going
through that now with Sam (formal feral). He is out of his room when we are
home so he has more interaction with us. I'm still learning how he will
react to different things. An example is he will bring a toy to me to toss
and I'm learning when he drops the toy I can take it and he will not try to
grab it again. It sounds like you are doing a good job.
Ann

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read Sam's blog at http://kittens-3.blogspot.com/
see pictures of Sam at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ann791/my_photos

> The new cat seems to be settling in well. He is eating well, and is using
> his litter box without any problems. He is constantly moving his front
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Justin

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