Finny has an older "brother" cat named Samwise Chance (Sammie). Although Sammie and Finny call each other brothers, they are actually cousins (Samwise's owner is my, Rebecca Lynch's, sister).
Samwise was the head cat of the house before Finny moved in. At first, Sammie and Finny didn't get along very well.
After the first few trying weeks were over, Sammie and Finny made nice and are now best buds.
The Anti-Cruelty Society suggests for a cat-to-cat meeting to consider that, "A 'middle aged' cat, between eight to ten years is more settled and may be less active. Be considerate of these things when you are looking for a pal pet. A Spitfire ball of energy may not be much appreciated by this type of cat." This is the first and still constant problem that Finny and Sammie have. Samwise is calm, and Finny is a tornado of energy.
There are a few steps to introduce a cat to his new home and fellow felines.
1. Allow the new cat to adjust to his new surroundings before meeting any other animals.
This is done best by keeping him in a separate room.
2. Let the cats meet on opposite sides of a screen or through a small crack in the door.
Keeping the cats separate, but still close enough to where they can get used to each other's scent, is the best way to protect both cats.
3. Once the cats appear to be interested in each other and no longer feel scared, threatened, or angry when near the other cat, they can meet face to face.
Let the new cat out of the separate room and allow the cats to interact freely. Just watch from a distance and only interfere if they hurt each other seriously. Allow the cats to hang out with each other, but only when someone is home with them. While the humans are away, don't let the cats play--not until they are friends, that is.
4. Eventually, the cats will learn to like, or at least tolerate, each other and can be left alone together.
Another piece of advice from the Anti-Cruelty Society states, "Whatever happens, feel confident that your cats will work things out one way or another. Be aware that even cats who are well bonded to each other will sleep together, groom each other, and still have an occasional spat."
Finnegan and Samwise have worked out their differences, but they still get into little spats at times.
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| Brotherly Love |
~RL
