What to do about these cats?!?

Question

There was an ad in the paper today for two cats, which my husband and I answered (as we were on the lookout). When we went to the home of the people giving them up we were told they were 10 years old and the couple had had the cats for the cats whole lives They were spayed females. Monoco indoor, Rinky in-and-out They were getting rid of the cats because the couple's son was comming back home (after many years away) and is very alergic to cats. We met Monoco while we were there. She came out and greeted us right away and spent the whole time we were there weaving in and out of our ankles. Rinky, hid under a bed while we were there. Monoco came home with us immediately, Rinky was brought over about an hour later. As soon as Rinky was dropped off the two started fighting, and now, about 6 hours later, it's still going on. Also, Rinky keeps clawing to get outside, and I can't let her out (apt.). I don't think it will stop. My husband and I are wondering what we should do. What would u do?

I also can't let Rinky out because she came from a house around the corner and I'm pretty sure she'd just run to her old home.
I know the Cats are adjusting, but I've 'adjusted' cats before, and if they come from the same home... I've never seen them act like these two! They hate each other!

For the fellow who said maybe we should re-adopt them to him... do you live in Kitimat BC? Do you want them as pets?
My email is [e-mail] if anyone wants to private mail me.

We think Rinky wants out to go to the bathroom... though we brought "their" litterbox from their previous owner's home,
Rinky doesn't seem interested in it.
It's 4am here and my husband and I can't sleep because of the cats.
At least it's the weekend!

Rinky is also being VERY vocal... *sigh*
My husband is suggesting we just let her out as she keeps clawing at the door.
Rinky also seems to have less regard for our stuff, so I'm thinking if we're going to isolate her it would have to be in the bathroom, since emptying out another room would be a lot to do at 5am.

Answer 1

Consider adopting only Monoco, unless the cats absolutely must be taken as a pair. Rinky can be re-adopted out. If the fighting is bad, keep them in separate rooms and give them a few minutes together a few times a day under your supervision. They will temporarily need separate litter boxes and feeding/watering stations.

Consider declawing Rinky. While I generally dislike declawing, it is better than having him trash your place while adapting to being indoor only. Another option is Soft Paws claw caps. I have no personal experience with this product, but it sounds good and gets good reviews.

Answer 2

i would give them a little time to settle in. can you separate them for a day or two?? i know that can be difficult but it may help rinky settle down.

try to feed them separately too. they might be fighting over territory and food is part of that. give them some good treats!!

did rinky used to go outside when she wanted?? she may feel safer outside. if you can, open a window just enough to let some air in. that might help her settle a bit.

if she doesn't calm down and you can't keep her you can bring her to the humane shelter in your area. this might cost some money but the alternative is an unruly cat in your apartment and the shelter may be able to find her a more suitable home.

or you could contact the previous owners and ask them if there were any other people interested in the cats.

it sounds like monoco was settling in ok till you brought rinky in so you should have no problem with her if you decide to give rinky away.

good luck.

Answer 3

The settling in time is the worst. I think separating them and putting Rinky in the bathroom is a good idea. They are stressed at Rinky is lashing out at everyone, even though Rinky knows Monoco.

We use to have that same problem with just bringing ours home from a vet visit.

Answer 4

Hi there...some cats require a bit of extra time to adjust to a new home. Consider keeping Rinky in a small room by herself with bedding, food, water, litterbox and toys if she has any favourites. She may be feeling overwhelmed with all the new smells, strange environment and need a little more time. While you are doing this it's helpful to continuously rub the body scents of each cat with some bedding material and swap it repeatedly so they always still have familiar scents of one another when Rinky is ready to venture out of the small room and doesn't find Monoco a stranger and vice versa.

By the way, always wanted to visit Kitimat as it is a beautiful small town near Prince Rupert/Alaska border.

Answer 5

for one some cats do not like to be moved they like things to stay the same they are probally fighting because of being in new surroundings their not familiar with and rinky was probally more of an outside cat give them a couple of weeks to settle down if rinky doesn't adjust to being inside i would find her another home where she can go outside some cats do take to you like monoco did and some will act like rinky does when i moved my cats one of them wouldn't come out from behind the tv for two weeks and he was seven at the time even though i wouldn't want to separate the two cats you have you may have to so rinky can be outside where she prefers to be

Answer 6

These cats have both just had a major change in enviroment and will need a week or two to adjust. After that they should be fine. I would keep in mind though that Rinky is not used to being cooped up and may continue to act out until you can find a way to let the cat out and back in on occassion. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Do as the other couple, and give them up to someone else. In other words, make it someone else's problem....Animal shelter perhaps. Obviously, the cats, after 10 whole years of lovable care from their "cat lover owners" they have grown attached. See if it'll blow over, maybe in another day or so, then just give them up to another person/organization if nothing seems to change. Hope it helps, better yet, I hope it blows over smoothly!

Answer 8

well i think u should keep them in like cages or 2 diff. places of the room,then let them out for a couple hours evry day,let them get use to their new home!!!!

Answer 9

If they're bothering you so much, bring them to the shelter. It's humane. Also, it's hard to walk around and say, "Want this cat?"

Answer 10

try re-adopting them to me.

i'll give u my email if you're interested.