new cat/ resident cat trouble

[lashel]

we adopted a female cat from our shelter. She is spayed, young, and has just weaned a litter of kittens. The introduction to our male cat/neutered is not going well. She went after him in a big way. She has only been here for an hour....lol ....so I am probably being a little hasty, I know. But I really am concerned. She first approached him very curious. She sniffed him then just started hissing, swatting...and actually chased him. She watches and growls at him. I still have other pets she will have to learn to live with, I cant keep them locked up forever. Right now the dogs are in the laundry room. They do fine with cats, she probably isnt going to be find with them. any suggestions. I have never done this with an adult cat, normally it would be a kitten. I have never adopted an adult cat before. But she really is quite pretty, and she had been sitting in that cage for weeks. So I brought her home, and am now wondering if I did the right thing.

[Traci]

You are correct, one hour is not even enough to gauge how she will react further. You need to expect at least a week, two, some cats take longer...as much as a month or so.

Remember, she was taken out of one extremely stessful environment, she now views her new environment just as stressful. She needs time to gather her bearings and develop feelings of safety and security.

It was a natural reaction to hiss and growl at your other kitty, so try to be patient as she learns to adjust to so many new things, including your other pets. She will need time to investigate her new surroundings and feel as if she belongs.

Try not to fret, in time, she will begin to feel safer and more secure, and she will probably warm up to both you and your other pets, she just has to do this at her convenience. Time, love and patience are the key....

[lashel]

Just wanted to be reassured I think. I just immediately felt awful and guilty for Shady (the resident cat). He is a great cat, and here in his own home he is under attack. So we put her in the bedroom, my sons room, with the usual food, water, litter box.. I put a cat crate in there with the door open. I dont know that she will use it. But is a safe and secure place for her if she wants it. Thing is she wants let OUT. If you open the door she is waiting and will charge out. So now I feel guilty about that!! Then there are the ferrets. Which at this point she might Never meet! Actually shady doesnt do well with the the ferrets either. But I just got that awful sinking feeling, and thought "oh geez what have I done?"

[MA]

Way to quick! Plus she has lost her kittens adding greatly to her stress- Here is an article I wrote about introductions- perhaps it will help you?

http://www.thecatsite.com/behavior/intro.html

[Andyck]

Placing her in your son’s bedroom with food, water, and litter box is a good idea, but you also need to interact and play with her in there and reassure her she is safe and loved. The next step would be to periodically confine your other babies and give her full access to the house. She needs to investigate and become familiar with the rest of the house, and build a sense of security.

Remember your kitty is adjusting to a totally new environment, with different smells, noises, and daily routine. Be patient with her, give her lots of love and reassurance that she’s safe, and in time she will adjust.

You are a very special person for adopting this little girl!!! I know in time she will reward you with lots of love and smiles!

[lashel]

we have been in and out of the bedroom petting and talking to her periodically. Nicolas of course slept in his room last night, he says she seemed fine. Occassionally getting up to investigate sounds outside the door, and woke him up a few times playing with his feet. Should have read the article first, but since I didnt it sounds like maybe we introduced them too soon. This am she of course chased, hissed and growled at shady. He retreated under a stool. She is sitting by the stool just watching him, with either of them occassionally growling at one another. But nothing too serious at the moment. She used the litter box last night, that is good news. She was spayed I think about a week ago, which was done the day her last kitten was adopted. She is very adorable, she looks like a dalmation cat, spots and all. She has been only interacting with the dogs as far as the crack under the door. They stick their paws under the door, and this seems to really upset her.

I passed her by the first time I saw her, even though she tugged at my heart immediately. This time I just couldnt do it. She was adopted, but she and her kittens were at the petstore. Petco here, keeps animals from the humane society and you can adopt them there. They named her Mia. So that is what we are calling her. She has had her vet check, been wormed, spayed and had her first series of shots. Lets hope we can integrate this family of felines, canines, ferrets, and lizards!lol

[Andyck]

Keep giving her alot of attention and "one on one" time and reassuring she is safe and loved. Gradually proceed with introducing her to the rest of the house and your other furbabies. Be patient and follow her guide, and she will tell you what she needs.

Thank you for rescuing Mia and giving her a loving and special home!!