A Most Harrowing 36 Hours in a Multi-Cat Household
Sweet Rose enjoying her brief stay at the luxurious Chez Zee & Zoey Resort – aka the guest bedroom…
It’s been several weeks since we had our kitty visitor, Miss Rose, a neighborhood cat I found in the middle of the street early one morning who had accidentally escaped from her house. She literally stayed with us only 36 hours, but when you consider in cat math, that seven years equals one human year, those 36 hours probably felt like endless months. Well, at the very least, for Jazmine they did…
I had wanted to share this observation earlier, but due to vacation and some scheduled posts I could not postpone, I couldn’t write about it until now. You see, our darling rescue kitty, Jazmine – a kitty that was welcomed with astonishing good grace and acceptance from her fellow Zee/Zoey catmates in very quick fashion – was upset to her very core that we had feline company.
For pretty much the entire 36 hours Rose was in the house, this was the wild-eyed look on Jazmine’s face. Her pupils were so dark, they were almost fully black.
Now mind you, from the moment I brought Rose into the house at approximately 7:00 am to the point she went home the next evening after I discovered though her microchip who her guardian was, never once did Jazmine get introduced to the cat. I brought Rose into the house in a cat carrier (that I conveniently had in the back seat of my car) and immediately put her in the spare bedroom and shut the door. I didn’t leave the door open for the cats to peek at her and I constantly washed my hands after petting her because I did not know if she had any contagious diseases that could harm my cats. I also did this to remove as much of her scent as I could off of me to keep my cats from getting overly upset around me.
Now obviously I know that cats have an extremely keen sense when it comes to smells and new stimuli within the household. Despite Rose not being formally “introduced,” clearly the cats knew they had feline company. One quick whiff at the bedroom door confirmed it for Jazmine and that was all it took – she was literally spooked to the core and could barely function.
Jazmine’s no fool – even with the door shut, she knew a four-legged feline foe was lurking behind it.
She slid around the house, low to the ground, quickly hiding in any safe spot she could find and didn’t even want to come out for dinner. At one point she was so upset, when I went to open the door leading to the garage to get the mail, she tore past me, something she has never done before, and almost got outside.
Luckily (and thankfully) I was able to grab her before something tragic happened, but her message was relayed loud and clear – she did NOT want Rose in the house.
It was certainly fascinating to witness her behavior. As I said, when she came into our house last year (something Dan and I did not anticipate – we went to the Global Pet Expo in Orlando to learn about new cat products on the market, and instead came home with her), her reception from the others was one of minimal stress and she was successfully acclimated within a couple of weeks, almost like she had been living with us her whole life.
Kizmet and Rolz took to her so quickly that they would visit with her in the bedroom we were keeping her in, and even the girls – Zoey, Mia, and Peanut – while they weren’t necessary thrilled to have Jazmine on board, they didn’t put up much of a fight either.
This was Jazmine’s room the first couple of weeks she was with us (and the same room we gave Rose to stay in). Kizmet and Rolz used to come and visit her – it was love at first sight for both of them.
With Rose, once again the boys stepped up to the plate, knowing that some sort of delectable femme fatale was behind the door. Kizmet scratched at the door to meet his potential new friend and Rolz was next in line. I don’t think Zee was even aware Rose was in the house and the girls, well, they couldn’t be bothered to care. So, there you have it. It brings up a very interesting question. If we should decide upon adding another feline to the mix one day, would it work or would Jazmine’s obvious stress be so significant that it would upset the carefully crafted dynamic that successfully works in our current household?
Rolz is basically saying, “What? A new female cat in the house! Oh, yes please!”
Kizmet is trying to explain to Zee that there really is a new cat in the house… Zee’s all like, “What? A new hat on a mouse? Doesn’t even make sense.”
Poor girls – Zoey, Peanut, and Mia – clearly they are extremely stressed out that Rose is in the house!
Maybe if it was a kitten it would work. I would guess Rose was about a year old and maybe that is too close to Jazmine’s age for her to feel comfortable. Who knows? I do know at this point, I am just grateful we were able to reunite Rose with her guardian so that our household is back on a relatively peaceful track. I thoroughly disinfected the bedroom and washed the bed linens to remove any traces of her (and to discourage any possibility of territorial peeing) and unless you personally knew the story of Rose, you would never know she was in our house. But had we ended up keeping her, who knows what kinds of negative behavioral problems between the gang could have cropped up.
That’s something I am always conscious of – as you can well imagine, people are asking me all the time to adopt another cat, basically saying, “What’s the big deal, it’s just one more?” Well, the big deal is that I love my cats and much as I would love to have more, my gang comes first in my heart and it’s not always in their best interest to adopt another. The decision is not one to be made lightly and one has to really consider all of the circumstances before making a life-changing commitment. Adoption is forever (at least in my world) and I don’t take the responsibility lightly.
This was Jazmine like literally the second Rose left the house… How do they know… how do they know?
How about you all? Any of you have a story of a cat that you brought into your already existing cat household that was difficult to acclimate? What did you do to finally have them get along?
On another note, if you are able to partake in the 3 day Labor Day Weekend, please be safe and enjoy!
Now you know you can’t even think of adopting without hours of work, stress and gallons of Feliway!
That’s an extreme reaction, the stress it caused and would again isn’t worth upsetting your fur family.
My son and I are limited, but even though it’s small, we’d do anything to keep them healthy and happy.
Unfortunately we have kidney and liver failure, 1 for each to deal with a budget below poverty now.
Hell of a summer!
You are so very right, Connie Marie! I’m sorry to hear you are having such a bad summer and I do pray for better days ahead. xoxox
They each come from a different place and we have no idea what a new circumstance brings up for them from their life experiences. Sometimes their reactions have seemed so silly to me but it’s obviously been very serious to them!
So true Bernadette – Jazmine clearly had her reasons and took them very, very seriously.
You never know what will set them off. Perhaps Jazmine and Rose had previously exchanged nasty words through a window? Perhaps it was that you used Jazmine’s room to house a stranger, she might still consider that her safe space. So glad Rose was able to be reunited with her people though, and I hope they keep her inside from now on!
Very interesting observation Andrea – you might be on to something there! Jazmine does love the guest bedroom very much, even to this day.
Oh boy, Miss Deb, do we have a story! Lexy and I did NOT get along AT ALL in the beginning! First Lexy was the aggressor, then it was me. Mommy couldn’t go out for long periods of time for several months unless one of us was “locked up”. (It was usually me, too!) It took a little while but now we’re friends. We’ve also had two kitty visitors since then. One was an adult boy cat that stayed here a few days until he went to Mommy’s boyfriend’s house. We growled a little, but not much. And then we had a kitten that Mommy’s boyfriend rescued. We didn’t even blink an eye. And that kitten meowed all night!
Whew… I am so glad you and Lexy finally worked things out Lola!! Fighting cats can be so stressful on everyone – human and cats alike!!
Whew – I am so glad you finally worked things out with Lexy! Fighting cats can be so stressful for everyone – both human and feline!
That is sure something, but sometimes it happens that way. Sister Precious still lives in her upstairs suite by herself and we’re all pretty happy with those living arrangements.
Brian – yes, I think sometimes we just have to respect that not all cats will get along on the same level, but that does not mean they can’t live in the same house!
Who would have thought that confident Jazmine would be the cat most freaked out about a newcomer? You may remember the heartbreak of our failed attempt to adopt a teenage kitten almost two years ago. Ashton reverted to her feral roots and even stopped coming out of hiding for meals because of what she viewed as the terrifying interloper. As you said, it really underscored why, “It’s just one more cat” that we hear so often is so inaccurate.
I do remember that heartbreak Sometimes Cats Herd You. I know it was difficult for you that it did not work out, but ultimately you did what was best for your home.
Jazmine’s reaction to Rose is so very interesting! Austin accepted Tigger as a visitor straight away, but then they were both under a year old. As far as I know he has never allowed any other cat to come near without one heck of a fuss!
That would make sense CATachresis – the gut instinct to defends one’s territory is so prevalent in a feline! Tigger is a lucky boy that no fuss was made!
Deb, you have given me much food for thought especially since we are beginning to pine for a couple of new kitties since the house feels so empty without Dr. Hush Puppy- and Sir Hubble is bereft without feline companionship. In fact, I suspect he is viewing me as a big hairless two legged feline who feeds him, kisses him and rubs her face and cheeks against his several times a day.
While we are still grieving Dr. Hush Puppy- having just one kitty is really hard- (of course it is easier care-wise) but it is very stressful for all of us- yet, on the other paw we worry if Sir Hubble will actually accept two new-comers rather easily. HE was accepted within 15 minutes by our resident kitties when he was a four month old kitten- which shocked us- but made us ever so happy.
We did have one kitten who just was never accepted by Dr. Hush Puppy or Sir Hubble. They basically learned to tolerate her but after the hissing, growling and yowling stopped even after close to two years, they never really bonded. She wanted to be an only- cat so we ultimately rehomed her (at the suggestion of a kitty communicator) where she was the star of the house and was extremely happy.
I understand your concern, Jo. I do hope you will still consider getting a couple kitties. I think in the long run, it is better for Sir Hubble to have feline companionship. You know how it goes – it just takes a lot of patience and the right steps to help ease the relationships. I imagine had we kept Rose, that eventually Jazmine would have been okay – I am just so used to quick and easy acclimation processes that her reaction really startled me.
Just as a side note, I have written several articles on how to introduce cats to one another in a multi-cat home if anyone needs the information for reference. Here is one of them: https://zeezoey.com/blog/how-to-live-in-a-multi-cat-household-and-keep-the-peace-and-harmony/
First, are you sure Jazmine’s name isn’t really “Caren?” lol!!!
I find her reaction to be remarkable….and extremely interesting.
I don’t have experience as the others do, but all I do know is when Bobo was alive if another cat even so much as LOOKED at him (neighbor’s cats who I would invite the neighbor to bring over to “visit”) he would lose his mind. That was why he was the ONLY pet for 18 years……he would have no part of it!!!
Maybe something in Jazmine’s past made her act that way?
You are so tuned in to your cats that I have no worries that if another cat wouldn’t fit into the dynamic, it wouldn’t happen.
Have a happy and safe holiday!
xoxo
catchatwithcarenandcody
It is interesting. I get asked all the time about introductions due to fosters and the permanent residents. I tell people all cats are different and that I’m VERY lucky that mine put up with as much as they do.
Thank you for your tale of the kitty encounter. I hope Jazmine has fully recovered from her trauma. Knowing what a loving home you share with the cats, it’s a sure bet everyone is fine. Much love to all.
Such a cute story about Jazmine. I say cute because it was short lived and you got to see a totally different behavior from her than normal. And that is always fascinating to me.
I could tell you lots of stories about cats not getting along, starting back in 2010 when Manhattan was rescued and came to live here. When she was first let out of the hospital room (the bathroom) wearing the cone of shame, she walked very low to the ground and against the perimeter of the apartment. As the cone came off and she continued in her recovery living in Gen Pop as I called it (just Coco and Vali at that time), she would bow to Coco. She would approach and then step back with just her back paws and bow her head. Coco still acts like she doesn’t like Manhattan but I think it’s just a bunch of hot air. I’ve seen them touch noses.
Bessie and Lulu are an entirely different story. Still have turf battles with Coco/Vali/Manhattan. It’s not nearly as upsetting as it used to be, mostly because everyone has figured out that Coco is really all hiss and a few swats. Vali developed a little bit of a 50’s Greaser Gang attitude and she will occasionally chase Lulu off the window sill. Manhattan does that too, but Manhattan will also hide under the bed with B and L and also I’ve seen her touch noses with both, so they really aren’t at odds, they just seem to have some imprinted behavior that I can slowly re-direct. It’s been a long time coming but I can say that the fights are minimal. The cat behaviorist told me that Coco may just hold on to her position because it makes her comfortable. And, I would do the whole introduction differently next time. I really didn’t intend to keep Bessie and Lulu, I was fostering them for a short window. FAIL.
We would have reacted the same way as Jazzmine…or at least I would have. I’m not as accepting of strange kitties. ~Wally
The best part is the lost cat being reunited with her owners. Another cheer for microchips! I suspect the lost cat energy was very different from a foster cat energy. The others may have just wanted her back in her proper home. I remember having a lost bengal for weeks before the owner was found. No fuss from the others but had to keep him separated for medical reasons. I’ve never had introduction issues lasting more than a few days.
I wish I had an answer to the question of helping them to get along. We have a few zones in our house, the 8 that get along are in the main part of the house, some of the others would probably be OK too, but Lucy can only handle these 7 and she would be happier with less.
guys….ya dinna heer thiz frum me….but cuzin toona takes afturr gram paw
dude…..toona’z food servizz purrson wood loves ta haz mor catz in de
houz but with toona a round it canna happen….
all de codz willing me & sisturr dai$y never have to move in with him for
any kinda reezon ~~~~~ whoa ~~~~~~
butter lover boomer o cat ♥♥♥
I just learn it is better yes to get a kitten but of the opposite sex . I was going to get a female but read a few things my Princess is 22-13 years old and wanted to get a kitten to get her more active. I the remembered that the alfa male well it is the same with females also when I had my Spencer all we rescued four female she lost two due to my EXboy friends stupidity. So I never had much of a problem with Princess except the last female oh did they hiss and growl at each other LOL finally Princess gave up and would sleep all day in the spare room closet coming out except to eat and use the litter. Then we moved out I wasn’t happy but I gave the EXboyfriend custody, but only because I was only allowed to have one at the Assisted Living House I have lived for 10 years November 27 or 29 It is all a blur I left because of being abused I lost 90% of things, Jewelry, clothes family pictures my personal art work and my fathers and my aunt also. It is all supposed to be just stuff but when you can never replace the memories it is deplorable, hurtful , and depressing . Princess wasn’t here for the first month. Whish was the worst month of my life. Any way Has any problems when bring anther kitten home??? I would love to hear from you all?
Huggs Darlene penguinangel56@gmail.com