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Two new cats! KZN
Hey, /an/ons. Some of you guys might remember me from around February asking questions about cats because I was planning on adopting one. Well, I did in March, and she's been great so far. Thank you guys SO much, once again, for helping me out.

Anyways, today when I was at the animal shelter I decided to adopt two new cats; female kittens, not sure of their ages (I'll be posting pics, can you guys perhaps guess how old they are?)

The one pictured here is Ren, a really docile, laid back kitty. She's not very active, and just content to sit on my lap and be pet.

The other one, Spook, (I'll post a pic next post) is a hyper, skittish little thing, very playful but also very sweet. She likes to suckle on clothes/fingers.

My current cat, Lucy, is about a year old, very tolerant yet doesn't like to sit still too often. She's very playful but can be lazy.

They will all be spayed; Lucy was spayed before I got her (around six months old) and the two kittens are going in for surgery in a day or two, I'll be receiving them on Tuesday or Wednesday from the vet's.

My question for you is this: Three spayed female cats, no males cats, and a dog (he's good with cats, and especially gentle with tiny animals.) Aside from the general procedure of introducing new animals to each other, is there anything I need to worry about? For say territorial disputes among the three cats?

Thank you in advance for your help. :3
>> KZN
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And here's Spook.

Oh, one more question for you guys: Will it be ok for them to all eat/drink out of the same two bowls? Also, the food itself. Lucy is old enough to be eating adult food, yet the two kittens probably need more nutrients, right? I'd buy them kitten formula food because I don't want them to be malnutritioned, but I'm worried Lucy will be getting TOO much fat/protein if she starts eating kitten formula food again.
>> Anonymous
how cute :3
unfortunately I've never had more than one kitty.
but im thinking if you introduce them to the house or rooms together at the same time, they can learn its communal or something?
>> Anonymous
My neighbours have three cats two girls and a guy and when I look after them I find it's best to monitor them for a bit around feeding time to make sure they all get food.
If they're all spayed then I don't think there would be any real problems but just be wary of the affection you give them because Your older cat Lucy might get a bit possessive.
>> KZN
>>315145
Thanks for the advice. And yeah, I'll give them equal attention; the dog got a bit jealous when Lucy first moved in because my little brothers fawned over her too much, but they get along fine now.
>> Anonymous
that is one evil looking kitten OP, looks like Stripe from Gremlins
>> Anonymous
Cats usually enjoy each others company. Don't worry if for the first month they all seem a little nervous around each other. It generally takes about that long for them to get the dynamics.
>> Anonymous
I think it all depends on the personalities of the cats.
We recently took in a stray kitten and him and our fifteen year old cat Tabby the fatty has been playing with him and grooming him after he warmed up to him. Tabby has always been affectionate though.

I've heard that if they all smell the same that it'll help. Perhaps rub them all down with something that smells the same but won't hurt them?
>> Anonymous
Take a t-shirt or cloth and rub it on your cat now, then rub the kittens and rub the kitten scent on your established cat. The scents will get them more comfortable with eachother.
>> Anonymous
>>315145
I think it would be wise to also give them their own bowls. Make sure you watch when you feed them too, as the kittens will need to eat their own food and your older cat shouldn't be eating theirs. If your older cat just nibbles throughout the day, try and give your kittens certain feeding times and make sure they eat their fill before you put their dish up so your older cat doesn't eat it. Wouldn't want her getting fat off of kitten food.

Once the kittens can get on the same food as your older cat then it'll be safe to let them eat whenever they want throughout the day without monitoring them. :3 Good luck OP, you've got some gorgeous little babies.
>> KZN
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Thanks for the tips, guys.

When I pick the kittens up from the vet I'll rub 'em down with a cloth with Lucy's scent and whatnot, I guess.

And yeah, Lucy usually gets a very small amount of food at several times each day, amounting to about a cup or a little less per day. So I can probably feed the kittens at specific times and keep Lucy away from their food--Lucy's on adult Nutro right now, so the pieces are probably unappealing to the kittens since they're a bit big for their little mouths, right?

Oh, pic is Lucy from about a month or two ago.
>> KZN
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'Kay, the shelter called today saying they're sending them over to the vet's...we'll be able to pick them up tomorrow afternoon.

I'm so excited, guys. Moar pics of them will come as well.

Pic semi-related; another one of Lucy.
>> Anonymous
i think the age of thos cats is around six weeks. im not sure though, sorry.
>> Anonymous
you should definitely get more bowls. i have two cats and i used to only have one food bowl and one water bowl. i would pour their food and they'd come running but only one could eat at a time and they'd end up fighting over it.

you should get more bowls.
>> Anonymous
With three cats you'll probably want to have 2 or even 3 litterboxes as well, sometimes the established cat will bar newcomers from that also. Learned that the hard way :x
>> Anonymous
>>315434
Cats have teeth for a reason. If it looks good enough they'll crunch it up and eat it. Just get them their own bowls and keep an eye on them.
>> KZN
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I'll keep that stuff in mind. :3

I did get another litter box--one of those big budda ones. So now I've got two. If I need more I'll get another one.

Anyone else have an estimate on the kittens' age? I believe they're from the same litter. I'll post up some more pictures of them tomorrow for reference.

Lucy again.
>> Anonymous
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>>316079
Dawww, I love seeing more pics of Lucy. Ren too - can't get enough of cats that look like Gary now I know they exist!
>> Anonymous
>>315110

Looking kinda Yoda there, Ren.
>> KZN
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Ok, went and picked up Spook from the vet's yesterday--she's been spayed.
Ren was left over night to be picked up today, however, because the vet said she looked dehydrated/malnourished. They said she was not in a condition to be spayed, so we'd have to bring her back when her health is better; we authorized the vet to let them test for leukemia and such, and they're going to give her some shots to help rehydrate her. Hopefully she'll be ok and we'll be able to pick her up today.

In other news, Spook is in solitary confinement for a week; she has to go back to the vet in 7 days to get some stitch-thingie removed, I think? In any case, they say she might also have worms, so before they can test for them to keep her confined. Anyway, Lucy and Spook have seen each other, and even though I introduced them through scent first...they still hiss at each other through the bars of the crate (where Spook is being held.) Is this normal and will they learn o get along in time?

Moar Lucy.
>> Anonymous
>>315110

Own bowls, own litterboxes. In fact, it's generally wise to have (number of cats) + 1 litterbox, or if you live by yourself/have an ensuite and you don't care, dump some deodorising chemicals in the cistern and toilet train your cats.
>> Anonymous
>>316684

They can do the hissing for up to a month. Remember to introduce them gradually and in a neutral manner. Always supervise them for the first few days, or they might get up to hurting each other.
>> Anonymous
>>316226
I see a lot of dragonball z shit in the background. Are you 12?
>> Anonymous
>>315897
i have four cats and they've always shared 1 single litterbox
>> Anonymous
>>317238

Unless those cats were siblings, that's highly unlikely. My cat actually has TWO litterboxes: one for shitting in and one for pissing in.
>> Anonymous
as a kid I had 7 cats (of different ages), 2 litterboxes and no problems... and my dad's a vet
>> KZN
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Ok, Lucy and the kittens do not get along. They're separated of course, but they hiss at each other.
The dog is a dumbass and barks at them, but he's at least trying to make friends with them and they don't seem to mind him when he isn't making noise.

Other than that, Ren--according to the vet she was dehydrated and malnourished--seemed to be doing fine yesterday, even today and this morning, aside from having diarrhea. She was eating her food. When I came home from the store today, however, she was lying on her side and she would not get up. She looked very weak. I tried bottle feeing her with some lukewarm water, but she wouldn't drink it. We immediately took her to the emergency vet, and the whole way there she lay with her eyes half closed, occasionally stretching out her front legs like she was in pain. I know the signs of a dying animal well, as I have seen them numerous times, and she seemed to be sporting one to many of them. I don't know if she'll make it.

The vet said she was severely dehydrated--they're keeping her over night and they're going to try and get some liquids in her via IV. I just hope she'll be all right. She's so tiny, so young--she doesn't deserve to die.

I'm going to do whatever it takes and pay any charges I need to to keep her cared for. Wish her luck, guys.

(Pic related--Ren and Spook again. Took this pic just yesterday.)
>> Anonymous
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>>316716
No, twice that age actually. I just enjoy a wide range of things and don't limit myself for fear of what people might think. I'm not so insecure.

>>318056
Oh lawdy, I hope she makes it. Poor thing sounds so ill. IV fluids can make an animal perk up significantly though, so here's hoping that the vets can save her :(

Regarding the hissing, that's very normal. Some cats might never get used to younger cats being introduced to them, but a lot of others do. Things you can do to help are to just let them have their space and allow them to roam the house. When they come into contact with each other, be near to hand in case you have to intervene but don't hover anxiously, just relax. Another thing you should do is feed them at separate ends of the house, and feed Lucy first, then the younger kitties. What else... Separate litter boxes, as others have said. Just let em run around and hiss and growl at each other and they'll work it out between themselves.
>> Anonymous
>>315110Three spayed female cats, no males cats, and a dog

COME AND KNOCK ON OUR DOOR
WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU
WHERE THE KISSES ARE HERS AND HERS AND HERS AND HIS
FOURS COMPANY TOO
>> KZN
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>>318069
The vet called--they said she was too dehydrated for the IV, even. D:
But they did inject some fluids directly into her bone marrow. They said she's perked up a bit after that, so I'm somewhat relieved.

The vet said it's too early to tell really, but he thinks she will be okay. :3

(Pic is Ren)
>> Anonymous
Kittens are markedly resilient by nature. I have recently adopted a five month old kitten who was plagued with worms, diarrhea and fever when she was with her foster family and brothers. Now she's a little bundle of mischief who adores her big foster aunt who likes to pin her down and bite her.
>> Anonymous
>>318107
>>But they did inject some fluids directly into her bone marrow.
Jesus christ!
Keep us updated, OP!
>> KZN
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>>318113
>>318146
Ok, we called up the vet again a few minutes ago. Apparently she's "eating like a pig" now and is meowing and stuff. So I think she'll probably be all right.

I know I can't rest easy yet, but I'm so relieved. I was really afraid she was going to die...

(Pic is Spook)
>> Anonymous
Wow, what a scare. >: I hope her health keeps up.
>> Anonymous
>>315110
poast moar pics of ren! her face is funny. looks liek she's giving you a look.
>> KZN
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(Spook again since I have no more of Ren. :( )

Anyway, we called again and apparently she's doing considerably MUCH better since even this morning. She's eating now, and they've got her on a liquid diet--they're feeding her every 2 hours, 2 CCs of formula. She's apparently much more lively and meowing and stuff, and she got angry when they wouldn't give her more of the food last time they fed her. So hopefully soon we'll be able to take her home and bottle feed her for awhile until she gets her health back up.