Hey all... so me and Rob went to the Humane Society the other day... we didn't really go there with the intention to buy but... this one cat... we felt so bad for it that we ended up bringing him home with us.
Anyway, we've been keeping the cats separate for the most part, but last night Louie (the new cat) got out of the room we were keeping him in (I just had a gate up, he squeezed though) and so he and Luffy met. Luffy mostly just followed him around and sniffed him a lot. I'm pretty sure he and Luffy are fine, but my other cat Lucy keeps hissing at him. Rob sprayed Lucy for hissing at him a little bit ago... but hissing and growling, that's normal right?
I mean should we discourage her from hissing or just allow it as long as she isn't attacking him? Lemme know
Should hissing be discouraged?
Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
Yes, this is perfectly normal cat behavior: the new cat is "invading" the resident cat's territory. However, it is wise to keep a new cat completely separate from other cats in the home for the first couple of weeks, and to introduce them gradually and carefully - there is an article about correct procedure here on this board. Good luck.
Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
here is the link to that thread on introductions
Feline Introductions
Hope it helps and thanks for adopting a (formerly) homeless kitty
Feline Introductions
Hope it helps and thanks for adopting a (formerly) homeless kitty
Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
Don't use the water bottle on any of the cats unless there is actual physical harm done by biting or scratching. By doing so, you might lose that bond and trust you've already established and your kitty (s) may start to feel fearful around you or confused because they were denied their natural instinctual behavior. Hissing and growling are normal behaviors during any introduction.
A calm, simple voice command such as "No, Lucy" and "it's ok, Lucy" is all that's needed. Do not intervene, just stand back and observe and supervise, it's best to let the cats establish their own territories/boundaries on their own in the introduction stages. You could actuall hold the water bottle, and shake it once and use the verbal command, but do not actually squirt the cat.
Btw, the Feline Introduction guide is ONLY a guide, it is not specific for every household nor every cat. It doesn't take 4 weeks to introduce, the guide is generally for first-time cat owners or those who are having an exceptionally difficult time with introductions. Patience and calmness on your part are the keys. Allowing them short excursions in the same space together is the best approach, and only seperate when necessary (when one is too agressive or lashes out by biting or scratching, or when one or more cats withdraws out of fear or apprehension etc).
A calm, simple voice command such as "No, Lucy" and "it's ok, Lucy" is all that's needed. Do not intervene, just stand back and observe and supervise, it's best to let the cats establish their own territories/boundaries on their own in the introduction stages. You could actuall hold the water bottle, and shake it once and use the verbal command, but do not actually squirt the cat.
Btw, the Feline Introduction guide is ONLY a guide, it is not specific for every household nor every cat. It doesn't take 4 weeks to introduce, the guide is generally for first-time cat owners or those who are having an exceptionally difficult time with introductions. Patience and calmness on your part are the keys. Allowing them short excursions in the same space together is the best approach, and only seperate when necessary (when one is too agressive or lashes out by biting or scratching, or when one or more cats withdraws out of fear or apprehension etc).
..........Traci
Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
Okay thanks, guys. Luffy has all ready warmed up to him... They were actually playing around a cardboard box last night. I'm hoping that Lucy will just kind of follow suit.
Yeah I read the Feline Intro thing and it did seem like a bit much to have to keep them separate for 3 weeks. Especially since both Luffy and Louie are so mild mannered and playful.
Okay I won't spray Lucy or anything like that. Hopefully she'll warm up to him soon. I just wasn't sure if I should stop the hissing or not.
Yeah I read the Feline Intro thing and it did seem like a bit much to have to keep them separate for 3 weeks. Especially since both Luffy and Louie are so mild mannered and playful.
Okay I won't spray Lucy or anything like that. Hopefully she'll warm up to him soon. I just wasn't sure if I should stop the hissing or not.
Sonique
Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
Just an update if anyone wants to know, the cats seem to be getting along fine now:
Sonique
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Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
It ALWAYS cracks me up how cats tend to segregate themselves by color!
Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
What is kitty's name, and who's who in the photo? Glad to see they are at least napping on the same bed together, always a good sign! They are all gorgeous cats!
..........Traci
The one in the upper left is Lucy. Luffy is the one on the bottom left and Louie is the new one on the right. Rob was the one who took the picture. He said Luffy and Louie were on the bed and eventually Lucy jumped up there and just kinda fell asleep.
Both Luffy and Louie are from the Human Society and were both strays (I think that's why they get along) And yes they are gorgeous! I saw a sign the other day that said, "Cats are like potato chips, you can't have just one." It's so true ^_^
Both Luffy and Louie are from the Human Society and were both strays (I think that's why they get along) And yes they are gorgeous! I saw a sign the other day that said, "Cats are like potato chips, you can't have just one." It's so true ^_^
Sonique
Re: Should hissing be discouraged?
Louie is beautiful, just like his new siblings, thank you so much for adopting him and giving him a new loving home! I love all their names 
..........Traci