Welcome to Sphynxlair! Connect with Sphynx owners & enthusiasts around the world!

Soon to be...

FollowTheCourse

Lairian
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
66
Points
34
As the title insinuates, I'm about to be a new parent of a torti sphynx. I have endless questions that have probably been answered an equal number of times, but alas I'll trouble you all with them again.

As far as bringing her home, what's a solid game plan?

I have most necessary supplies I think. Litter box, food, clothing, toys, a tree, and heating pad. Luckily my wife is a stay at home Mom, and working in law enforcement I only work a few days a week with my schedule. I might even take some vacation days haha.

I have an older terrier who doesn't care about life or what's happening around her and sleeps a majority of the day. She's pretty mellow and doesn't show aggression toward other animals, but I plan on orchestrating their interaction for a while.

I have an 8 year old, and almost 5 year old twins who all have a healthy respect for animals and their boundaries. I still plan on highly supervising their interactions as well.

My main questions are like where should her food go, separate from the dogs area all together?

Where's a good spot to start her litter box? Should I put it where it will be permanently?

Do I limit access to various parts of the house, or do I set up everything now in the way I want it to be permanently?

Luckily the breeder is a longtime, and reputable breeder in a large metropolitan area in California. One of my close friends has three of her cats from different litters, and all of them have the best temperaments. She's huge on socialization and getting them prepared for their new homes with ear cleanings, baths, general exposure and so on. I just want to make her transition into our home is as smooth as possible so she can be herself and open up without becoming afraid of her surroundings, or us if that makes sense.

Thank you in advance, and I welcome any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions. I've done my research for the breed and this has been in the works for two years and it's finally happening.
 

Maddie

V.I.P Lairian
V.I.P Lairian
Joined
Dec 8, 2016
Messages
1,718
Points
218
I would keep the food up and away from the terrier if she will be inclined to eat it. It is ok for a dog to eat a small amount of it, but it can not be its only food source (from a vet). Cat food has too much protein in it for dogs. I have seen people put the cat food in a hole in a floating shelf so the cat has to work for their food and so the dogs cannot get it. When I visit my parents Astrid's food went on the kitchen table so the family dog cannot get to it, since he loves her food! :) hope this helps
 

FollowTheCourse

Lairian
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
66
Points
34
I would keep the food up and away from the terrier if she will be inclined to eat it. It is ok for a dog to eat a small amount of it, but it can not be its only food source (from a vet). Cat food has too much protein in it for dogs. I have seen people put the cat food in a hole in a floating shelf so the cat has to work for their food and so the dogs cannot get it. When I visit my parents Astrid's food went on the kitchen table so the family dog cannot get to it, since he loves her food! :) hope this helps

Thank you! I'll definitely keep their food spaces separated and hopefully as inaccessible to each other as possible. Better safe than sorry.
 

Maddie

V.I.P Lairian
V.I.P Lairian
Joined
Dec 8, 2016
Messages
1,718
Points
218
@FollowTheCourse If your terrier won't eat the food it shouldn't be a problem. Some dogs are pickier than others, ours just happens to love to eat everything.
Our dog also likes to roll in the litter box.... but he is still a puppy, so you should be fine since your baby is older.
Sadly, I am only there with the puppy for short periods as I go to school out of province so they aren't together very often, so training him to not roll in it isn't too easy. Hopefully, you do not have this problem!
 

Yoda mom

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
30,675
Points
653
@FollowTheCourse , welcoming you and your family to the lair family :)
Glad you joined us - can't wait for gotcha day pics! Date? Name ideas? :)
Jump in and enjoy this fun friendly bunch

I always recommend a wellness check - make an appointment ahead of time for a vet visit on the way home on gotcha day - and or definitely within the time frame noted in contract - if within a few days - good to bring a poo sample to check for any parasites

I also put new kitty in their own "safe room" - often a spare bathroom or room that will have a permananet litter box
Where kitty feels safe to use it - you can turn the opening towards the corner or wall too if dog wants to sniff at box.

( good idea to start off with same type of litter , food , and litter box style kitty is used to from breeders - )
I personally set up house ahead of time where things will be permanent amd tweek as we go along .
I recommend a couple of litter boxes in dog kitty household placed in different quiet areas.

I suggest to put the food up on counter or / separated from dog
( my kitties eventually ended up standing next to dog and drinking from his raised water dish
And share morning face rubs together )

I am strong believer in slow introductions in multi pet homes to keep the balance and stress down.
I always leash the dog and do slow positive intros -

I use a baby gate turned sideways (cable tied in the full open position. )
I hold it in place in front of the kitites safe roof doorway let them sniff each other with lots of praise amd treats
Then I actually swap them in each other rooms /house area to explore alone -

I cross scent blankets and towels / beds
I put the cross scented towels by each others food dish for positive association.
Building up on socialization at their comfort level -

I Never leavimg them unsupervised in the beginning - amd always watch body language
When I leave the house - or can't supervise 110% ,
kitty is put up in safe room and each day work on socializing training free roaming together.

It appears you gave a wonderful breeder :)
Very excited for your family
Looking forward to pics and tales !

Keep us updated often

Hope you can share a pic of your terrier too :)
What is her name? She sounds just wonderful

Ps kitty proof everthing for life ! Watch hot stove flat tops , toilet lids kept down , doors open and closed slowly ,
Watch underfoot whem walking :) amd always be om look out for terrier stealinng kitty toys !
I swear dogs loooove cat toys

Here are some great links Sphynx Cat Help Center

Introducing a new adult sphynx cat or sphynx kitten into the home
 
Last edited:

Toa and Ross

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 23, 2015
Messages
34,059
Points
643
@FollowTheCourse welcome to sphynxlair! Congratulations with your soon to be new addition.
Do you have a pic of your baby? And do you already know how you're going to name her?

Great advice already given so only chimed in to say welcome.

Natasja
 

FollowTheCourse

Lairian
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
66
Points
34
Thanks to everyone for the responses! I've been super busy with work and haven't had a chance to get caught up.

Our gotcha date is this upcoming Saturday. We're doing our best to prepare and make the transition as easy as possible.

Unknown name as of now, my wife is figuring it out. I'll share pictures as soon as I can.

I've also created and fabricated an elevated type of food station to blend in to our kitchen to keep the dog/cat separated. I'm pretty proud of that too haha.
 

FollowTheCourse

Lairian
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
66
Points
34
IMG_0392.JPG

Here's a rough idea. Last night I got it all screwed together and evened out and smoothed with wood filler. I'll be notching the top for the food bowls to sit in so they can't slide or tip.

Tonight I'll sand it down even and stain it to match the kitchen wood colors.

After that I'll be adding little no slip rubber to the step and top.
 

Catzzzmeow

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 16, 2011
Messages
37,785
Points
673
lol...you are in for it...in a good way...there is one that is the trouble maker and you might have that one...lol. Start looking for interactive toys now. You will have a blast with her and no doubt have great pics of her shenanigans to share with us @FollowTheCourse.
 

FollowTheCourse

Lairian
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
66
Points
34
lol...you are in for it...in a good way...there is one that is the trouble maker and you might have that one...lol. Start looking for interactive toys now. You will have a blast with her and no doubt have great pics of her shenanigans to share with us @FollowTheCourse.

Oh I went overboard!

I placed an order so big Chewy made me call to verify it haha!
 

Hairless Blessing

Gold Lairian
Notable Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
25,203
Points
673
Exciting, tomorrow will, be, one great day, for you.
Will be watching for your gotcha day pics and story.
Nice tree and eating area for your baby.
 

Toa and Ross

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 23, 2015
Messages
34,059
Points
643
@FollowTheCourse Both looks awesome and purrfect! I'm sure she will love the cattree. It has the perfect place, right behind your couch. This way she's always near you and she can jump on you any time:).
Ooooh less then 24 hours......ieeeeeh!!
 
Back
Top