New cat problems?????

[herbi7]

Sounds like a good plan . I find having cats and dogs in the same flat as hams just means a bit of extra organising and doors, doors, doors! And not being absent-minded at any point,that's hard for me as I'm scatty,ha

[horseyhammygirl]

No, I always wait for him to get up. He gets up quite early (generally 6:30pm) so plenty of play-time!

[LucyCaitlyn]

Good luck and I'm sure this will work.
I live in a small flat with 4 cats and my new hamster.
My cats used to share our home with my Chameleon who
sadly left us in Nov after 10 years. Cats never bothered Fabi though
they were very excited by his crickets :~)
They don't know about "Grayling" who shares my bedroom and if last
nights anything to go by I'm the one disturbing he at night :~)
Over the years I've kept a multitude of animals together, at one time
(in my old 3 bed house) my late SO and I had 3 dogs a Border Terrier,
a Lowchen and a Cavalier King Charles, 4 cats, 1 a notorious hunter.
2 Harris Hawks, a baby European Eagle Owl, 3 day old Barn Owls and a 1 day
old rabbit.
I was hand rearing the Barn Owls and Rabbit, 2 Barn Owls and Rabbit were
sharing a nest. 3rd BO was living in my bra as he was having problems and I
needed to be constantly aware of him.
We made a point of introducing everyone to everyone, firstly by covering our hands
in 1 pets scent and letting each creature sniff it (including the birds) then we would
safely allow that pet to see, sniff each one in turn. We would say in soft voice this is....
they are family. We don't eat family. Repeated process with everyone.
Never left cats, dogs or hawks unsupervised with others.
One day when BO's where 2 weeks old I was feeding them, usually I double checked
cats whereabouts first and closed the door. This day I was distracted and didn't.
Fed first baby Taelesin, put him down next to me on settee and picked up baby 2 Morwenna as I gave her, her first piece of food I heard a loud purr.
Fearing the worst and feeling very sick I looked at my side, where I'd just put the fledgeling. There was Sandy our 8 year old Ginger cat, the terror of the local bird population. Nestled in his fur and being very gently nuzzled was my baby Barn Owl!
Sandy didn't stop hunting outside, but inside creatures where different. He never tried to hurt them and would meow at me if he thought someone needed me.
I'd never recommend small creatures and prey animals together unsupervised, but watched carefully it can be done.
I've never lost any creature to another one in my home.

[herbi7]

Oh wow that is such a lovely story LucyC! I wish I could teach those sort of manners to my kitty but in the odd occasion when he has slid round the door when the hams are out in their cages his response has been 'hmm u have a rodent issue in here! I'll fix it for you!' Hmm. He gets swiftly removed!

[LucyCaitlyn]

Thanks Herbi7 :~)
To be honest I'm surprised it works but apart from crickets it has.
Tonight for instance I thought my bedroom door was safely closed and
I was trying to reduce some of the bedding in Grayling's bed. She off course
pops in to investigate what I'm up to (I was only taking it out because I thought
she couldn't get in!) suddenly the tops off and she has fallen between my bed and bedside table onto a stack of books.
I grab her ball to scoop her up as don't know each other, as I look at her I realise that
Sennon my male cat is looking at her too, "she's family Sennon", I said in my calmest voice. Scooped her into the ball and back to safety, Sennon just head puts for a tummy tickle and walks out!
I sat on my bed shaking and feeling sick, Grayling is rearranging her bed none the worse for her mini adventure.
I've no idea how/why it works but I'm so very glad it does :~)