Good? Bad? Ugly? Lots Of Questions!

JBMOA

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Hey everyone!

I just joined because I’ve never introduced two cats and I’m at a loss. I’ve been reading other posts, but have a lingering question. Ok lots of questions and I need your help!

I’ve had a male cat for almost six years. He struggled when I had my daughter. On Saturday we brought home a one year old male cat. The new cat (F) is very mellow. My current cat (O) is a little more playful but loves to sleep. Both are definitely out of the kitten stage.

I’ve been doing the slow introduce and giving food and praise when they can see each-other. Yesterday the new cat got out and both cats seemed ok. They would walk around each other and sniffed each-others noses a few time. Both were able to lay down and I gave attention to both. My current cat O wanted to play more and kept laying on his back and pulling himself towards the new cat and swatting him. The new cat just kind of took it for awhile. They would play a little before they got into a fight. No blood, but fur. I separated and they have been separated ever since. I gave them both time to walk around the house this morning.

So I guess question one: Do I give them more time today together (supervised of course) or keep letting them out one on one while the other is locked up?

Question two:the new cat cries wanting to get out and keeps putting his paw under the door. How can I help him? I feel so bad he’s locked up a lot.

Thanks everyone! I was feeling so defeated yesterday.
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi. It's just been a few days, so it seems like the introductions got rushed a bit when F accidentally escaped his safe room. Overall, it doesn't sound bad being so soon into the process, but maybe you should back track a bit? Here are the TCS articles on Cat Introductions - maybe you can glean some tips from them for your situation?

How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide

Bringing Home A New Cat - The Complete Guide

The other thing is to swap locations with the cats, letting F out to roam the house a bit while confining O to F's safe room. This allows both to be in the other's environment while also letting F become more familiar with the entire home. Also, when swapping rooms, make sure you spend time with each in both of the rooms so that neither feels as if they are being left alone.
 

susanm9006

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I would give them more time. But I would also swap spaces, locking up your resident cat and giving the newcomer time to explore. This helps each get used to the scent of the other in a non threatening way.
 
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JBMOA

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I didn’t think about letting my current cat into the new cats territory. I will do that today. My current cat gets to roam all night so I’m going to lock him up. Should I be worried if they use each-other’s litter boxes so soon?

Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate it!
 

KarenKat

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I think using each other’s litter boxes will help - you want them to smell each other so much that when they meet its familiar and not stranger - danger.

Fights will happen, but it sounds like things are going great!
 
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JBMOA

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I think using each other’s litter boxes will help - you want them to smell each other so much that when they meet its familiar and not stranger - danger.

Fights will happen, but it sounds like things are going great!
Thank you! I felt that since they spent a few hours together peacefully before the fight we are on the right track!
 

KarenKat

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How awesome! I love the grey cat’s expression. He’s like “whaaaaat!?”

Having them both chill, relaxed on the bed and not looking at each other is awesome progress!
 

mandmcats

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That's amazing progress! Super jealous, haha! Ours have been together for 5 weeks and that's much closer with both cats relaxing than we have ever been able to get thus far. It may be a bit quick for them to free roam for the day when you guys are away. I would let them have time together but also let them have some space alone whether that mean new cat in house or old cat in new cat space because the new cat is still getting used to your home as well.
 
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JBMOA

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I agree leaving them alone is too soon. I’d be too nervous and worried something is going down! When they are out I’m home. I’m a teacher on summer vacation so this was perfect timing!

Thanks for the support. I about fell over when I walked into the room.
 
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JBMOA

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I’m back so soon! I have my new cat locked up for the night and he is shaking the door and crying to get out. It’s been going on for over ten minutes. I’m actually worried he is going to hurt himself. What should I do?
 
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JBMOA

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I’m also worried because I’ll be gone tomorrow during the day and I’m not sure if I should keep him locked up all day. I will worry about them locked up and together if I let him out.

I just feel at a loss and a little stressed. What would you all recommend?
 

5starcathotel

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My advice is, let F out!!

"O" laying on his back (exposing his belly) to F is the exact "oh, hello, welcome!" behavior you want to see, and encourage! I don't even care this event ended in a fight. Unless their interactions are starting with abject hate and aggression, you've hit the 777 jackpot and found 2 cats that were as ready for each other as they were for you!

When they do argue, bring out an interactive toy (Da Bird or similar), or some cat treats.
 

5starcathotel

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That's amazing progress! Super jealous, haha! Ours have been together for 5 weeks and that's much closer with both cats relaxing than we have ever been able to get thus far.
I'm also more than a little jealous! For my crew of 4, it was over a year before I came home for lunch and caught them all sleeping on the same cat tree!
 

blumarine916

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That’s amazing progress. Both my girls had an incident 3 months ago and can’t get along ever since. They have to be separated all the time but I really hope they’d be ok in time. You did a great job and your cats are so chill.
 
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JBMOA

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Thank you! I’m sorry I sounded so panicky. I just want to make sure I’m doing it right! I’ve always had two cats, but I was younger and never understood the bonding process. This day trip will be great for my daughter, but I was worried about the boys.

I feel so lucky they are doing to well. I’m shocked actually! I know there will still be some fights, but I wanted to make sure it wouldn’t escalate. We love Figaro and hope he keeps fitting in!
 
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JBMOA

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I’m back again. It’s been a week since we brought Figaro home. We’ve had them out together all the time since yesterday morning. They have been sharing a wet food bowl, starting to play together, and laying in the same area. I even woke up to them both laying in my bed last night. No signs of a fight.

And just now was another big fight. My poor kitty got scratched on his nose. I have them both separated for the rest of the night. I wasn’t sure what caused it, but it woke me up since it was in my room. I’m not sure if me and my room makes my current kitty more territorial or if something happened. My husband said they were both playing together a few minutes prior.

So I’m back because I’m not sure how to take this. Do cats fight this bad and then stop? (By bad I mean fur everywhere and we needed to throw a box near them to separate them). Do I need to separate them again for longer? How will I know it isn’t working overall? Is this normal and I just need to relax?

It just makes it hard to want to leave the house and hope they aren’t fighting horribly again. I appreciate all the help you’ve given so far. Without it I’d be lost!
 

danteshuman

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I agree with Feebysowner. I wouldn’t have let them be together for a month! Given the second fight maybe two months!!! Please take it slow. Use a crate to switch them if need be.

Also my boy Dante (R.I.P.) used to get into the odds scuffle with my mom’s reformed feral Chester ..... did get a small scar on the bridge of his nose from the Chess....... and they got along pretty well. They did have to sort out their hierarchy though.

:goodluck:
 

5starcathotel

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So I’m back because I’m not sure how to take this.
It's always a bit traumatic when cats fight. Of my crew, there are weekly, screaming/terror/horror fights, between a very energetic Blue (a siamese / tonkinese mix ), and her black/white tuxedo sister. It really does suck, and I'm always talking to Blue and trying to distract her!

The main key though is, how are your cats behaving, outside of these events? As long as they are both appearing confident (nobody should be slinking around the edges of a room), and nobody is just growling at the very sight of the other, I think all is good in your home!
 
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