My grandfather just died leaving behind his 15 year old cat. I have been given his house, but I have 3 cats of my own. I know they won't get along with each other based on how my cats already react when they see another cat outside a window.
I would put his cat up for adoption but no one would want it. It took me going over to his house over 2 months before it stopped hissing at me and finally let me pet him. Of course now he is a big loveable furball but for months he appeared mean and would be the same way if not worse in a pound or shelter.
There is another option as well. We have found a family that takes in stray animals. I feel guilty however about thinking about shipping the cat off to a strange family to live out his few remaining years. He's been with our family for 15 years and is like a family member.
None of the options I have are good
Do I:
1.Keep him even tho my cats may fight him and it's not fair to them
2.Ship him off to a shelter
3.Put him to sleep
2006-07-10 06:15:10 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
There are ways to introduce cats to each other that will minimize the fighting. I'm not sure where your three cats are living but they will not like the idea of moving and having a new cat around. Take it one step at a time. Move your cats into one room of the house, or area. Allow them to get useto the new smells and sights. Then allow them to explore the house and lock the cat that lives there in an area. That way they can smell each other without too much of a problem. Then after a few days or a week, allow them to see each other, put up a gate or use a glass door, whatever you have, that way the cats can see each other and get use to each other. After a few days let them have supervised visits with each other. They might fight or hiss but taking it slow will allow for each cat to figure out its new role in the house. It is likely that the cats will keep to themselves and leave each other alone.
If things do not work out then at least you know you tried, and then maybe you should think about a shelter. Most vets will not even put a healthy animal to sleep, so I don't think that is really an option.
I have gone through this process myself and it took less time than I thought it would but everything worked out just fine.
2006-07-10 06:29:30 · answer #1 · answered by Lady 5 · 13⤊ 1⤋
I listed a website that may assist you.. You'll be able to find local cat rescues in your area. These are different than pounds and shelters. There should be some info on the website to give you a better idea of what a rescue agency is. I really feel for you on this difficult decision. Is there anyway this cat can have it's own area, like a closed bedroom? And still have quality of life? Since this is an older cat and the cat population is so out of control, I fear that pounds and shelters may give this cat little chance of adoption or life..
2006-07-10 13:23:20 · answer #2 · answered by Kristen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,Your grandfather's cat sounds like a survivor and should do very well getting along with your own two cats after a while.Naturally your cats will not like the new cat.The indoor cats generally react curiously to new things in the house.Also you must provide lots of food and love to all the cats.Like children,cats need affection and attention and stimulation such as small cat toys to play with. Having three indoor cats will be very busy for you. The only problem I see is that the cats will be expensive with food and costly at the vets for exams and shots.I wish you well with your darling cats.
2006-07-10 13:46:39 · answer #3 · answered by aliceaceofhearts 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't put him to sleep. It seems you feel very concerned for this cat and his well-being. I would suggest you keep him. Cats, even the most ill-tempered, learn to get along with a new family member after a month or so (sometimes longer depending on age and attitude). But since he has no health problems that you've mentioned, and he was obviously loved by your grandfather, I'd keep him around. Let him live out his years well loved with his only known family.
2006-07-10 13:57:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldnt see you going through with number 3. You seem like a fair person and killing the animal is not the right way to go. I would say that giving the cat to a friendly family who will be patient and loving with him, is the best thing to do. He would be happier with people than in a small cage in a shelter. Even though they may not be the family he knows, he will grow to know them and will live out his last years in peace.
2006-07-10 13:19:14 · answer #5 · answered by spkthetruth6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This cat is sort of old, I don't think he is going to live much longer. You could keep him anyway, just try to put him in a seperate area from the other cats. Maybe a little fence of something. Mak sure you give your cats a lot of TLC! Even the 15-year old one. (TLC stands for Tender Loving Care)
2006-07-10 13:27:28 · answer #6 · answered by Maddee~Mar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cats 15 years old, hes not going to probably live much longer, why not just make him comfortable for his remaining life..I'm sure that's what your grandfather would want, after all he left you everything, he must have wanted that..
2006-07-10 13:18:39 · answer #7 · answered by patti f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not slowly introduce the cats to each other? it does take some time. my cats took awhile to get used to each other but they love each other now.
dont' give the cat away, he is too old to get moved around too much, just keep him and i'm sure they will be fine after a little getting used to
2006-07-10 13:39:26 · answer #8 · answered by lulucakes32 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try him at your house for a few weeks. They may get used to each other. If they don't start warming up, then give him up to the family or shelter. They can put him to sleep if things don't go well.
2006-07-10 13:21:15 · answer #9 · answered by Goddess B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep him and bring him into your home. There may be some fighting at first, but eventually they will acclimate themselves to the newcomer. If you are going to be moving into HIS ( the cats ) house, your cats will probably be not as aggressive
2006-07-10 13:22:34 · answer #10 · answered by tksepil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋