Tigger's taking going out like a duck to water, absolutely loves it. Got our little Kitten yesterday, called him Simba, he's settled in well however Tigger growls and hisses at him a bit, is this normal? He doesn't seem too upset though as he keeps wanting to go in and have a sniff to see where Simba is, do you think he'll come around?? I've been doing what everyone has said and keeping them in seperate rooms and allowing Tigger to have a sniff at Simba's blanket then allowed him to sniff him through the cage and he's been going in and out of the room for a sniff every 10mins or so.

Yes! I've always thought of it as the older cat telling the kitten something like "I ain't sure about you yet ... but I'm the boss, okay?".

Curiousity is already much stronger than his fear of the new 'thing'. "Looks like a cat, smells like a cat ... a bit small for a cat ... but maybe it is cat? I'll have to go back for another look. Still smells like a cat and looks like a cat ..."

Just be patient ... here's a pic of Howie and Flori, two months after they met for the first time (sorry for the poor quality) -
12-11-06_0004.jpg

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Meet the gang - Musky Flori Phili Zeb Algy, members of the Catmint Appreciation Society

How lovely catbasket! Thanks for the advise, Tigger's been letting Simba into the living room when he is there and is only hissing and growling when he gets too near to him, which is progress, hopefully its just a matter of time before he takes to him!!

It sounds like Tigger's quickly getting used to the idea of Simba being around!

It's important to still be patient though, to let the two cats get used to each other on their own terms and not try to force the relationship between them.

You seem to be doing a damn fine job so far, I must say. Keep it up

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Meet the gang - Musky Flori Phili Zeb Algy, members of the Catmint Appreciation Society

Thank you! I feel quite guilty for bringing Simba in knowing how poor Tigs feels, but i'm sure he'll get used to him soon. Simba's now desperate to be his best friend running after him anytime he's in the house, v.cute!!!

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Thanks Catseyez! We're trying to show Tigger even more attention than usual but its quite hard when Simba's around as he can lash out a bit if you lift him or pet him for too long, do you think this will subside?

I wonder if anyone can help 2 very stressed cat owners! We have had our 2 Bengals for 2 years now, since they were kittens. They are indoor cats but cry all the time to be let out. We feel extremely sad for them and would like to let them out, however, we are really concerned about doing this after they have never been outdoors alone. Plus, we are both in the armed forces and therefore they move around quite alot. They will be living with our parents for 4 months over the winter, and we are not sure how this will affect them if they have to find their way around somewhere new all over again. Will they find their way back and will they want to?! Considering that we will have both left them to go away for 4 months, and they get stressed if we leave them with anyone else for just a few days! Also, this probably sounds quite silly but they are female and very small compared to most other cats, so we are worried about how well they will be able to look after themselves!

Can anyone offer any help, or put our minds at rest??!

2 sisters in desperate need of good advice!

I am old

When I was young the world was different - no seat belts, cats were mostly moggies, I walked to school and caught a bus (school over 3 miles away), I played unsupervised on my own for 6 hours a day.


In my youth.....

We took our moggies with us on holiday to our granmas cottage in Wales - butter on their paws and let them loose - they always came back. (They travelled on our laps in the backseat of the car....)

I think though that the world has changed - more cars, more aggression

You have to risk assess how dangerous the place is you want to let them out in - and you have to be honest with yourself how devasted and emotinally distirbured you would be if the cat(s) were lost or killed.