It's been a long time...need some help

[Gosmo]

Been a long time since I've posted here, hope everyone is doing well! I need some help. My wife and I took in a coworkers cat who is moving. He is 4yrs old and male. Our's is about 4 and female. Both are front declawed and fixed.

We have been following the advice we have read....keeping the two seperated, and they still have not met. Jackie (my wife) was coming out of the room we are keeping him in, and I was walking with our cat and they saw each other today for the first time. Zima, our cat, was unphased by seeing the "stranger", but Teddy(our new cat) went to full panic mode and was in a very aggressive position and was hissing loudly. Very loudly...

Everything I have read on introductions was about the home cat having issues with strangers. I have nothing on when the new cat is the issue. Has anyone had these issues? Should I follow the same time table by keeping them seperate and only short meetings at first? Our cat is as sweet as any, loves strangers who come to the house. He is a little shy they but will love you once he knows you.

Any help will be great. Thanks in advance.

-JG

[Tina B and crew]

I would just continue to do was you have read with keeping them separate and doing short introductions. Can they sniff at each other under the door? Sometimes that helps if they can be aware of each other's presence but not get to each other. I've also been known to put something with the other cat's scent near each cat. Like a towel that has been rubbed on the cat. They need to get use to each other's scent. Then slowly introduce them, and when you do play with them to keep them distracted from getting aggressive. I hope it works out for you and wish you the best of luck!

[Traci]

If you read the Feline Introductions sticky thread, please be advised it is only a guideline and may not be appropriate for every situation.

How long have you had Teddy now? (he has been checked by your own vet, you have his health records and he vaccinated accordingly, etc, right?)

Depending on how long you have had them seperated, if longer than a few days or a week, it's time to let Teddy out of his room and let him investigate his surroundings. I personally find it better for the cats to be introduced fairly quickly and allow them to adjust to each other on their own terms. They need to find out what each other's limits are, the new kitty needs to have access to the entire home so he can acclimate and become comfortable in his new surroundings. The longer they are seperated, the longer it will take for both cats to adjust to each other.

It will be perfectly normal for one or both to hiss and spit and growl during introductions (face to face), and this may persist for a few days to a couple weeks or so as they learn to adjust. It is only when there is direct agressive behavior such as biting and scratching or chasing relentlessly that you should intervene. Otherwise, supervise constantly (from a distance, cats don't like to feel crowded or want their owner following their every step), speak in calm, smooth voice, use a command and/or squirt bottle on the agressor if necessary, and otherwise allow the cats to get used to each other on their own. If you interfere too much or too often, one or both cats may become aloof, uncertain or fearful or withdrawn.

Try involving them together in the same space with a playtime activity, such as dragging a sting across the floor for them to chase, or providing interesting toys for both of them in the same space, and both you and your wife involved directly in the playtime activity. Having the cats focus on playtime or activity reduces their apprehension and tension and allows them to focus on something positive instead, and they then eventually learn the other cat is not a threat to them (as long as you create these play/activity times consistently). Having a secure, positive environment will encourage trust and harmony between them, but you have to be committed to the task and spend lots of time with them during these playtime or activity sessions. Do not show your own stress or frustrations or any other unusual body language/tone of voice, simply remain calm and act as if the cats have been together for some time. If you are frustrated or show stress, the cats can pick up on this and will react. Use positive things to reward good behavior between them, a time-out from play to give a special treat, catnip or favorite toy, grooming sessions, bonding, cuddling, etc.

Each day, move Teddy's belongings (food/water dishes, bedding, etc) closer to the cats' "communal" areas so that both cats start learning to share their environment, share their food/water dishes, etc. Feed them both at the same time and supervise (again, from a distance) so that neither feels apprehensive or intimidated by the other. If you keep everything in the environment the same as before you adopted Teddy, and don't change anything drastically, the smoother the transition will be for both of them.

Remember that this is a new environment for Teddy, and he is probably quite stressed due to abrupt changes in his life/routine/environment. He was already adjusted to another environment and now this is all new to him, including another cat. By keeping things as calm and unchanged as possible, this reduces stress for Zima, while allowing Teddy to acclimate easier to a calm and comfortable environment. It will take some time for Teddy to feel safe and secure, but you can make this transition smoother for him by giving him lots of love and attention and helping him to feel safe. In the immediate sense, leave Teddy's current room door open so he can retreat to that room if he wishes, but leave the door open at all times so he can come and go as he chooses.

Do give both cats equal attention and love and special time together, but try to also involve them both together in a shared activty, shared space, etc.

[Gosmo]

Thanks again for the advice! Things are progressing slowly, but are improving.

Today was the first day we have let him out of his "safe room" for an extended period of time. Some growling and hissing from both parties as Teddy explored, but they have not "fought" in anyway.

And yes, all of his medical is up to date and he has been given a clean bill of health.

Thanks again, and I'll keep putting the advice to good use!

JG

[mamabear]

Depending on how long you have had them seperated, if longer than a few days or a week, it's time to let Teddy out of his room and let him investigate his surroundings. I personally find it better for the cats to be introduced fairly quickly and allow them to adjust to each other on their own terms. They need to find out what each other's limits are, the new kitty needs to have access to the entire home so he can acclimate and become comfortable in his new surroundings. The longer they are seperated, the longer it will take for both cats to adjust to each other.
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Best Paragraph ever written!~~~~~~

I agree, of course you are concerned about one hurting the other and I agree. But I think Teddy is getting cooped up aggressive for lack of a better word. He is cooped up in the room and not getting out to play and what ever NEW thing HE sees now HE is going to hiss at it instead of Zima(lovely name by the way). I agree with traci, the sooner the better.

Remember they will have to learn their limits and they may fuss and spit and fight. Keep an eye on them to make sure it doenst get out of hand. The fact that he hissed and didnt attack is a very good sign.

good luck and welcome back

[Gosmo]

We have been fortunate to have only a few "attacks" and no one was hurt. Today they have kept there distance, with Zima staring at his every move. Only when he gets too close will she growl or a little hiss, he'll meow and hiss back, and walk away. Not the best of friends yet, but tollerating I guess.

The trigger everythime seems to be when Teddy gets in to Zima's food, water, and litter. He has no issue about using these of hers, but she doesn't share his enthusiasm. This is where the fights have started. Fights at this house are simple screaming and chasing of each other up the tseps or down the steps. Their screaming could easily raise the dead.

He has his own litter, and two locations of food...one near hers and one in "his"room. As he keeps exploring he finds these things, how could I prevent these fights from breaking out?

Thanks again for everyones help!

-JG

[Traci]

It is normal behavior for the new cat to investigate the resident cat's "belongings". Do you free-feed the cats, or are they fed on a schedule? Try free-feeding and see what happens.

What occurs at the food dishes? Who instigates the first growl and hiss? How far away from Zima's dishes are Teddy's dishes? (the dishes only need to be kept a few feet from each other at first)

Unfortunately, you can't prevent Teddy from using Zima's litterbox, and as a matter of fact, you want both boxes accessible to both cats. Do however make sure they are both kept clean and scooped on a daily basis.

[Gosmo]

His food is a few feet away from hers. As far as the litter boxes, they are both kept clean. And yes, the are both free fed.

As far as the growling and hissing, it is now all Zima instigating anything. Teddy will usually respond with a meow, but he has now twice lunged back at Zima when she is doing this. But in both cases, Zima was blocking a pathway he was trying to take, either towards their food or towards the direction of the litter boxes.

Even when they are attacking, they do not make any contact with each other. But they do make a LOT of noise and chase after each other. The only contact I have seen is today. My wife and I ere out for several hours, and when we got home, they both met us at the door. After we were in, they walked towards each other and it seems they rubbed noses. What would they be doing there? Is this a good sign towards a "truce" between them?

Thanks again for all the help. You guys have kept me encouraged and my patience up during this trying time!

JG

[Traci]

Yes, that's a good sign, and you'll probably find them doing more of this as the days go by. When they can walk right by each other without a spat, then you know things are getting better and they are getting used to each other's presence without intimidation or fear or apprehension.

When you see Zima blocking a path etc, simply say her name in a somewhat stern voice, but do not interfere. When she knows you are watching, and hears you give a "command", she will probably back off alittle and let Teddy resume his routine. It could also be total innocent behavior on Zima's part (blocking Teddy's path), so continue watching them and try not to interfere too much.

[Gosmo]

Thanks again for everyones help!