update on Nobby/Moriarty and a spot of advice needed please

[Gatekeeper]

linky here

a month on and Nobby (we can't get used to Moriarty) is still hanging around having 10000 meals a day. Our cat Sherlock is outraged at him but is becoming a bit more used to him. Nobby is entirely submissive and won't get involved in any staring or fighting/hissing or whatever

A couple of weeks ago I started trying to stroke him and after a couple of flinches at first he loves the attention, going up on his hindlegs so I can stroke his head. He has become more and more friendly and has started chirruping and doing sweet little meows and purrs. Sherlock doesn't meow- just does a gutteral, rough 'Wah"

Everytime we open the door now he nips in quick and last night he was on my knee, cuddling in like a baby and dribbling and purring. Ditto this morning on my daughter's knee

He is lovely- so sweet and very, very affectionate and we really want to have him in the house (I've wormed and de-fleaed him) but concerned over our lad. He is getting used to him and doesn't bash him every single time but you can see he is narked but he is a narky middle aged grump

Anyone have any tips please to help the situation along ; thank you

[Gatekeeper]

we haven't been about to find Nobby's previous owners- he isn't chipped and despite posting adverts n various Facebook pages and Animal search uk website etc no-one has turned up. I tracked down the sister of the person I though he'd belonged to (man had died suddenly) but that was a completely different colour cat

[Gatekeeper]

about = able

[cozietoesie]

Remind me - is he neutered?

[lljkk]

ime, They will never be friends, best you can hope is that they merely hiss & grump but don't draw blood. They may end up teaming up to chase other cats off, too.

Sounds like you've made huge progress with Nobs.

[Gatekeeper]

He was neutered a month ago but was soft as clarts before that . Sherlock neutered nine years ago

[cozietoesie]

Have you actually had them in the same room together?

[Wolfiefan]

I missed the original post but why do you think this cat needs you to take it in? Many owners wouldn't be on FB.

[Gatekeeper]

Wolfie - he came horrendously raddled and emaciated, riddled with fleas, filthy and covered in bites and scratches where local toms had duffed him up. He looks like a completely different cat now and I can't think he had an owner looking like that

Cozie- they were both in the living room last night and Sherlock was playing 'Grandmother Footsteps' sneaking up when he was looking the other way. Didn't do anything though- just a series of filthy looks

[Wolfiefan]

Oh bless you! What a difference you have made to him then.
Plug in to help with stress?
Giving your existing cat somewhere to hide if necessary?
Start feeding them in the same room?
Extra litter trays?

[Mistykit]

I was in a similar situation to you about a year ago. I have 2 cats and then a 3rd started trying to move in. My 2 originals were not at all happy. However, over the year they have progressed from running the new one out of the garden to hissing and threats in my house with the occasional (no blood drawing) fight. They will still try to beat the new one up so I don't let the 3 of them be together unsupervised. At night, the new one sleeps in her own room (with own tray etc). You'll find a middle ground with them. The best thing to do is to get them all into a routine, same feeding times etc and it'll come together slowly. They may not ever get along but should find their own way / own territories within your house.

[cozietoesie]

If Sherlock isn't actually doing anything and Nobby is completely submissive I think you're on the way there. Sounds as if Nobby might be a natural wingman.

[Gatekeeper]

thank you all

Nobby is a big soft thing and wants to be friends with Sherlock though- he's a bit 'nice but dim'

He is also very talkative now ; dh was gobsmacked ten minutes ago as Nobby was almost speaking to him

[cozietoesie]

There comes a point where you just have to let them decide for themselves - although PPs have given some great tips. (The Lodger tried his darnedest to make friends with Seniorboy but Seniorboy just wasn't having any of it. I gave up in the end but only after a very long time.)

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd whack them both on zylkene and set nobby up in his own room. Then I'd do the slow introduction like you'd do with a new cat. Swap bedding over, open the door so they can see each other a little bit. Sherlock turned up like this too so hopefully he'll be accommodating.

Mine would be going mental and trying to kill him, even his bff the little black cat (who was bloody massive, worst nick name ever) wasn't allowed near the back door. He could go in the garden but coming up to the door was full on hissing, screaming, throwing himself at the door, fluffy tail carnage.

[cozietoesie]

ASBO is a bit of a law unto himself, though, isn't he? I'd imagine even his own mother would have become tired of his shenanigans!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Well yes. He's a sensitive highly strung cat.

[cozietoesie]

....sensitive and highly strung......?

I've always imagine him like one of those berserkers who used to disport in front of the main battle line!

[cozietoesie]

imagined

[Fluffycloudland77]

How's it going? It's quite cold tonight here.

[Gatekeeper]

Not very.nice here either but things are not too bad. Sherlock is tolerating him a bit more. Nobby making himself very comfy

[Fluffycloudland77]

Ooh he looks very comfy there. Well done.

[Gatekeeper]

Looking to rename him though

Something with a bit of dignity....

[Gatekeeper]

Moriarty just doesn't click with him

[cozietoesie]

He's doing well. More of a 'Toby' isn't he?

[Gatekeeper]

Me and dh have had a bottle of beer each and talked it over with offspring

He is in the garden a lot and me and dh are keen gardeners so we have renamed him

Monty ; Montague on Sundays and high saya