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Expert: - 1/14/2012


Question
Hi Norm, you very expertly answered my last question on new rescued cat who hisses, we followed your advice and he is now happily playing and will stay in the same room as us and has even come for a fuss a few times - usually a couple of times a day and although he likes it he wriggles about as though he doesn't know what he is supposed to do.
Anyway, now I need to ask you another question.  We have a 5 year old male ginger tom cat who we have had since he was 8 weeks old, he's a great mouse catcher - always bringing them in live for us to praise him, but I don't think he is big on cat relationships.

He and new cat have had a few staring episodes (very little hissing or growling from established cat), new cat has meowed a few times. Then established cat will go outside and I assume sulk, he won't come in the same room as new cat, although they have met face to face a few times, but no fighting.

I think they are both scared of each other, naturally I want them to get on together (but I probably don't live in the real world).

Our established cat is currently hiding under our blanket on our bed out of the way of new cat, who incidently runs after established cat when he sees him.

What can I do to help them or do I just have to sit back and watch and give them time.

PS - new cat has just started purring for the first time!

Thank you for all your help, you are very much appreciated.

Melanie

Answer
Melanie,

I am glad the new kitty is coming out of his shell!!!!!!!!!!

Leaving them alone and letting them work out their relationship, I believe, is always the best policy.

If they are playing chase, that is a good sign even if it ends up in a "fight".

It sounds to me that things are going very well between, them. Please be careful not to ascribe human motives and emotions to cats. They do not think like we do and we mere humans tend not to understand the rules for their inter-relationships.

Thank you for the update on the new kitty.

Best regards... Norm

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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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