Conference misery::feline_v1

    When we got Mittens, our youngest cat, who is now 2+ years old,
    my two other cats, Snookie and Goldie (who are brother and sister)
    hissed at Mittens upon his arrival.  It took a week or so for them
    to get adjusted to each other... but now they all play together,
    Snookie and Mittens tumble around, and chase each other, and Mittens
    and Goldie get along fine, in fact Mittens loves to clean Goldie's
    head...  
    
    As for Lucky kneeding, that is normal, my cats are all declawed,
    and they still kneed, a sign of contentment... in fact my babies
    will sometimes kneed on my stomach, when I am pating them and giving
    them kisses....
    
    Good luck with your two cats....
    

>    Bridgett is now on the war path but, instead of fighting with Luckey
>    and getting it over with.. she pooped all over the master bed.  Bridgett
>    is the cleanest cat I know of but, this morning she did the same thing. 
>    I am ready to brain her.  I know for sure it's not the new cat (luckey) 
>    because she has not left the cellar yet.. 
    
>    Is this temporary.. ?????
    

Yes, it happens...and yes, it is temporary...but that can mean several weeks
of Bridgett being "in a snit" and you need to address the issue before that.
You are doing the right thing in letting the cats get it worked out between
themselves - human intervention only seems to prolong the agony of adjustment.
Once the cats are adjusted, by the way, they will get along well and be
good company for one another.  However, with your mention of Luckey being
dirty, I am somewhat concerned about the general health of the cat.  Have you
had Luckey checked for parasites, FelV, and immunization shots?  Until you do,
I recommend separating the two cats to prevent any infection.  

Bridgett should be put in a room with her catbox - not the bedroom, obviously,
when you are not around the home.  This is only a temporary deal, but until
she settles down, you need to keep her from your bedroom and in a small
area with a catbox to reinforce your insistance that she use the cat box.
Do not let Luckey share Bridgett's cat box.  They each need their own - at
least until you know Luckey is healthy and the girls have settled in.
Be sure to keep both boxes really clean - scoop out solid stuff twice a day.
For some reason, stress seems to exagerate the "cleanliness" trait in some
cats and they get really picky about their cat box.  Make sure Bridgett
knows you haven't decided to trade her in for a new model.  Lots of play
and hug time when you are home is the best solution there.  Go directly
to a pet supply shop and get an enzyme-based odor eradicator....cats have
extremely keen senses of smell and will return to the same place again
once they have used an area as their toilet.  You need to get the smell
out of the bedding.  Your vet may also have some suggestions of brands
of cleaner to use.  You will need to wash the bed linens, adding the
enzyme cleaner to the wash water.  

>    Luckey is very dirty...what are the best techniques to give a big cat 
>    a bath. .
    
Well, HOW brave are you?  No, just kidding.  Actually, in this case, if
Luckey does not know you well, she won't take kindly to the idea of
you putting her in water (her thoughts could run to, "EGAD! Now they're
trying to drown me!!!).  I would ask the vet who gives her a thorough
examination to also bathe/flea-dip(if necessary) her.  This may mean
a tranquilizer, but it is a good idea to get her clean and checked for
fleas before you get infested with the little devils.

>    Luckey was supposedly declawed but last night was needing on the
>    couch.. do they still do that.. when they don't have claws..  and
>    I can't pick up her feet because they are so senstive.
    
it is natural for a cat to "scratch" things - even when they don't have
claws.  They also have a scent gland in their paws that they use to
"mark" their territory.  You cannot smell it, but cats can.  They also
"knead" things with their front paws - it seems to be a gesture of
contentment or a request for comfort.  I WOULD be worried about her
paws being sensitive, though - please mention that to the vet.

>    She has appointment with the vet on Monday.
    
Good!  Smart move.

Once she is certified healthy, I would keep two cat boxes and let Bridgett
and Luckey settle the "who's in charge here?" question between themselves.
Check them over frequently for bites - a small bite can lead to an 
abcess - but in most cases, no real injury is ever inflicted - just a lot 
of blustering and yelling (not unlike your average political campaign)

	8^}
 				D   

    It's great that you're taking in your friend's cat.  I agree that
    taking Lucky to the vet for a checkup and a bath soon is important for
    him, and for Bridgett as well.  It may take them even a couple
    of months to adjust to each other, but it will be well worth your
    hanging in there, as they will be good company for each other
    once the territorial business settles down.
    
    Nature's Miracle is a good product forthe bedding.  I had to keep
    my bedroom door closed while I was at work for several months
    once when Holly had this problem;  I've forgotten what set it off,
    possibly a new cat next door.  But things worked out in the end.
    
    It is liable to be quite a strain on you for awhile, but please hang
    in there until the cats adjust.  You will be saving Lucky's life.
    And please post again to let us know how things are going.
    

    re: baths
      A groomer friend of mine once showed me a little trick to use
    when bathing cats.  Wrap adhesive tape loosely around the front
    and possibly the back paws.  This prevents the cat from extending
    its claws and using them on you.  We did this to Jesse's front
    paws when we had to fleabath everyone.  It turned out to be
    totally unnecessary.
    
    When bathing a cat, the method I use, is to fill a dishpan with water
    and then add some Dawn dishwashing liquid to it.  I add the soap after
    I've filled the basin to prevent all those soapbubbles.  The soap helps
    you thoroughly soak the cat's fur.  Then I use the Nolvacide shampoo
    and I've discovered if I mix the shampoo with a small amount of water
    it is easier to soap the cat and easier to rinse than if I apply 
    full strength shampoo directly to the cat.  
      Make sure you thoroughly rinse the cat then towel dry.  We set up
    a "drying cage" by placing a little 6x6x6 heater in front of (and 
    about 1 ft or so away from) one of the cat carriers.  Then I put
    the wet cat into the carrier and leave them to groom themselves.
    I check on the cat every few minutes to comb them and to check that
    the cage is not too hot.  It helps to aim the hot air towards the top
    of the cage.
      If you want any more info, let me know.  
       Nancy DC

    Well, we gave Lucky a bath last night.  She looked alot better.  She is
    still a bit lethargic - she slept on the couch all night last night. 
    But she seems to be getting better.  Bridgit, our first cat, seems to
    be getting used to the situation, although slowly.
    
    Keep up any suggestions.  We can use the help.
    
    Ed..
    

    re: .5
    
    How old is Lucky?  Sleeping all night is pretty much par for the
    course for an older cat.
    

    
    Well, Lucky has seen the vet... 
    
    She is a very old cat.. She is a teenager and that explains
    why she is cat napping all day.  The Vets say's she is good shape 
    and it will take her some time to clean up and stay that way.
    
    So offically we are Lucky's retirement home.
    
    Bridget has really come to respect lucky and leaves her be.
    Thanks for all the input.....