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Question
i have just got a 8 week old male kitten(maverick) on Saturday and since we got him my 8 month cat (tabatha) have kept behind the sofa and wont come out! she seems very bored as i haven't let her out due to worrying she will run away all my friends cats ran when they got a new cat. should i let her out or keep her in till they are more used to each other?
Heather,
You friends may be right. If Tabatha is used to being the only cat, and you have brought in Maverick, she is in a real snit. Once they start playing chase (even if it ends up in a mock fight), this will mean they are getting along. Ignore any discussions they may have as they sort out their relationship. Usually adult cats are much more accepting of kittens then other adult cats.
They should begin to warm to each other in the next couple of weeks, if not sooner. If you have only had Maverick for a couple of days, that is hardly enough time for the usual "getting to know you" rituals that cats go through.
Some things you may have to consider is feeding on separate food dishes and having another litter pan in case one of them decides to get territorial over the litter pan. This will help avoid accidents. Once they are getting along, you should be able to let Tabatha out, again, but there are no guarantees she will not run away!
Best regards... Norm
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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