I thought I would also take the opportunity to give a little update on Sassy. For any new readers who don’t know her background story, Sassy joined our family back in November of last year. She was a stray that we rescued at our old apartment complex. Unfortunately, she tested positive for FIV. While FIV+ kitties can live with non-FIV kitties just fine, but Sassy doesn’t like other cats and is aggressive towards them. Seeing as FIV is passed through biting, she has had to be kept separate. She doesn’t mind it though – she gets the whole upstairs of the house to herself. Luckily for her, that’s where our bedroom is, so she gets to sleep with us most nights (we do have “Four Kitty Nights” when we block off our bedroom and let the other kitties in so they have a chance to snuggle at night some too).
Anyway, we have tried to work with Sassy on her aggressiveness in hopes that she will eventually be able to coexist with the others. We haven’t had much success so far though. I will admit that I haven’t been trying all that hard recently because we had a little scare with Sampson and Sassy a few months ago when we thought she had bitten him. I got discouraged and just about gave up on the idea that she could ever coexist with the others, but then a couple of weeks ago something wonderful happened. I carried Sophie with me into the bedroom where Sassy was, and Sassy didn’t hiss or growl or anything! She was laying on the bed, looked up and saw Sophie in my arms, and then just looked back out the window. I didn’t put Sophie down or let them interact at all, but the fact that Sassy didn’t react to Sophie’s presence is a pretty big deal. I am going to take this as a good sign that Sassy is getting used to the idea of having other kitties around and will be working with her again.
If anyone has any advice on the situation, I would love to hear your input. I have tried scent swapping and feeding on opposite sides of the door. I have also tried putting Sampson in a carrier and bringing him into Sassy’s area so she could sniff him and see him without actually being able to get to him. I want so badly for Sassy to be able to be with the other kitties. She seems happy having the upstairs to herself, but she doesn’t know what she’s missing. The others have so much fun playing with and loving on each other, and I hate that she doesn’t get to experience that. I wish that I could explain it to her and she would understand.
Until then, I will just keep on loving on her!
Ann says
Love the photo! I think it’s pretty awesome that even though she’s FIV + you are doing so much to make her comfortable and making the other cats safe as well. I’ve met families who had both FIV cats and ones who weren’t infected peacefully living together with no problems at all. I wouldn’t really know what to do except for have patience. I know many cats can take months or even years to come around…
Sparkle says
I wish I had some advice for you, but with Sassy’s FIV status, you have to be so much more careful than with the normal aggressive-kitty situation! I hope someone else has some suggestions.
Tamago says
I love the picture, she does look like glowing!
It sure is a great sign that Sassy didn’t mind when you brought Sophie in the room. I can’t think of any advice as you are already doing everything I could think of. We went through the same thing when we adopted Niko. Eventually I think time helped Goro to accept Niko. I hope Sassy can be with other kitties some time soon.
Pam and Sam says
If she seems to be happy then perhaps that’s the “new normal” for her and everyone else…..BUT you’ve got her somewhat used to Sophie so who knows – maybe slowly but surely she’ll trust that she has a place there and learn “life and let live”…..I think you’re doing all the right things – it’s up to Sassy to trust.
Hugs, Pam (and Sam!)
Caren Gittleman says
I don’t have advice (sorry) but I LOVE the photo!
Brian Frum says
Sassy is a pretty one! Our Sister Precious lives upstairs because she doesn’t like other kitties too. She has been here 3 years and has made itty bitty progress steps but not integration yet. Y’all are terrific for giving her a home.
katnip lounge says
I love me a tabby girl! Is Sassy food motivated? maybe feeding desensitization would help.
The Island Cats says
Wally and Zoey do not get along. When Zoey first came to live here, I tried everything to integrate the 3 of them. But for some reason, nothing worked with Wally and Zoey. And I tried everything…including two behaviorists. I could write a book on it all. So now I keep Zoey separated from Wally…Zoey has her own bedroom that she stays most of the time. There are some cats that just don’t want to be friends, but I hope someday Sassy will learn to tolerate the others.
Island Cat Mom
meowmeowmans says
We LOVE your photos! We agree with The Island Cats. Moosey and Gracie do not see eye to eye, so we basically keep them separated, alternating who is upstairs and downstairs, and using stacked baby gates. They and Zoe are all happy and okay with this…
Athena and Marie says
Beautiful photo!
And I think it’s great what you are doing for Sassy.
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Fur Everywhere says
I know you tried scent swapping and feeding on opposite sides of the door, but how long did you try it? It can take quite some time before some kitties will accept one another. I would suggest trying the whole introduction process again – go at Sassy’s speed. It might take quite a while, but the end result is worth it.
If that doesn’t work, maybe use Feliway/Comfort Zone diffusers in your home? I know in severe cases, a veterinarian can prescribe Prozac, but that is a last resort, I think. You might want to consult a vet behaviorist, too.
::hugs:: and purrs,
Carmine, Milita, and Jewel
Sushi says
The photo looks very bootiful and artsy. I don’t get along well with other cats too, but i do get along well with woofies.
Deztinee Izabella says
Meez finks it’s wunnewful dat yous kep hers even tho’ hers “contagious”. Sounds like yous duin’ all da wight fings, and da longer hers in da house, da mowe she gets used tu hearin’ and smellin’ da uddew kittys in genewal. Wees hav anuddew furiend dat had one of those “kitty cages” and they put da newcomer in da kitty cage wiff toys, food and water, etc. and put all da kittys in da same woom. They did this so dat evewpawdy kuld be safe wiffout constant supervision. Evewpawdy wus able tu see and smell each uddew and innewact “sumwhat” wiff out bein’ huwt. They did this most of da day evewday fur a foo munffs and then let out da newby, and fings went gweat. Don’t know ifin this wuld be an option fur yous or not, but wees did fink it wus a good way tu du fings cuz da “caged” kitty wusn’t cnfined tu such a small awea, but yet wus still confined, and all da kittys kuld innewact wiffout gettin’ huwt. Godd luck, wees be purrayin’ fur yous all.
Luv ya’
Dezi
Connie says
site swapping, letting them get used to one another’s scent with out the other cat being present is huge. Bring out bedding bring in bedding, etc.
I’m also a huge fan of rescue remedy.. it helped my fearful cat a lot.. it gave him a few seconds of ability to judge if the situation was really something he should run from, and the more he was able to think about it, the less he ran.. it might help give her a few extra seconds of “do I need to hiss at this kitty”
Jackson Galaxy has a lot of helpful tips on introducing kitties and getting them used to one another. most involve food 🙂
Kitties Blue says
As you know, Astrid has pretty much separated herself from the others by staying downstairs 98 percent of the time. I think you are trying all the things that might make integration come to pass someday. You just have to remain consistent. The photo is terrific with the sun rays coming through the window. Astrid is sending a multitude of kisses to Sampson. XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo