Indeed, a solo run took me a LOT of time. Getting to the cats should be easier--going around to the left of the dungeon and avoiding and/or Deterrance->FD'ing the wasp boss.
However, to get to Mandokir's side, the way I used was this:
(Originally not my map, but I had trouble finding a good ZG overhead map so "borrowed" theirs and marked it up.)
If for any reason you need to get to Mandokir's side, or if for some reason you can't go to the left past the wasp boss (I haven't tried)...
You can bypass the first bit by mounting up and running right along the water on the far right (yes, through the green poison--it may take a few attempts), feigning death just up against the rocks at the end and thereby dropping aggro from the 1 wasp + fish. Shift from FD into Camouflage ONLY when you're sure the fish aren't nearby, eat to regain your hp, and wait out the FD cd.
Climb onto the rocks (you need to do this from the far right, as there's a bug that claims the water is air on the left and will drop you to the riverbed) and climb the slight hill on your left, beneath the hovering wasp, then drop down to the start of the bridge. If you need to feign off the wasp again, wait until you're halfway across the bridge. Wait until Camo is off cd before standing. Go into camo, eat again, and cross the bridge. Avoid the Tiki boss by skirting around to the left (in camo, he won't aggro you) and continue across the bridge, then head right--passing the snake boss's room to your left. Curve around his building to the left and go to the crossroads here.
If you go left, you will pass the road into the Edge of Madness, then Thekal's old area (all on your right), then eventually you'll pass the road leading down to the dirt "dock" area where there are trolls fishing at the old Ghaz'ranka lake. Ignoring that ramp down, you continue along the main road; Bethekk's temple and the cats will be on your right, and the snakes ahead.
If you go right instead of left at the above fork, you will come to a ramp on your left with boulders rolling down it. Just put on Cheetah if you're feeling confident and race up, avoiding them, and skirting around the troll berserker to the right (if you get too close and he aggros, Deterrance, run a bit up and feign). Press against the wall on the right, with Camo on, and soon enough you'll see Mandokir far to your left (across the open area past the huts and cauldrons); the lashtail hatchling is chained beside him.
Again, it's probably easier if you're just going for pets to go around to the left, past the wasp boss, but I've not yet tried--so if you need to get to Mandokir, there's how!
In any case, awesome news that the kitties are now tameable! Any idea if the monkeys still "hoot" when clicked after taming?