Introduction help!!

Airka

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 21, 2020
Messages
5
Purraise
3
Hello everyone! I’m hoping to find some help with the recent introduction of my new cat and resident cats. I currently live with my roommate and we each have our own cat. Their introduction happened within a day and they are extremely close. I will be moving in a little under a month so I was nervous having my cat live alone after the move (she’s always been with another cat). Since I’m home until my new job starts in June I thought this would be the perfect time to get my cat a friend. The new cat is a little over a year (same age as the other two resident cats). She was a stray who was recently brought in extremely sick with her kittens (who didn’t make it :(). After getting better she was spayed and during this whole time she stayed with her foster. The foster had 8 adults cats that she was able to get along with them no problems at all with no aggression. She was brought in in March and I just adopted her. Since I brought her home I’ve kept her in my room and she was hissing at the door at first. I’ve been feeding both cats by the door and they were doing okay and the hissing by the door stopped. We did some site swapping and that went well so we decided to do a baby gate visit. Initially there was some growling and hissing and we closed the door and tried again later. Eventually they would just sit by the gate looking at one another, no aggression. We decided to try a meet and greet finally since the new cat was very interested in leaving the room. Again initially a little aggression that we would break up and take a break from. Eventually they were starting to play and it seemed to be going well. Later that day my cat tried going into my room (the new cats safe space) the new cat let her in initially but when I walked in to watch, my resident cat ran out and the new cat charged at her. We separated them and tried again the next day and the same thing happened with my roommates cat. The new cat has become very aggressive recently and is now hissing and growling even through the baby gates and wants to get out to go after our resident cats. I’ve kept her in my room and I have not let her see the resident cats since. Today we did a room swap and she would not leave the area by the door. The was hissing at the door and seemed upset. I tried to distract her and play and ended up putting a towel under the door so she couldn’t see the shadows. She’s super friendly to me and loves cuddles and loves to play in my room but I’m having a very tough time introducing her. The resident cat’s are super sweet, not at all aggressive and just interested in meeting her. Since the charging they are a little more cautious going near the door and I think a little afraid. It has been 5 days total so not too long and I’m concerned I may have just rushed the process. I’m nervous this may have ruined the relationship between the cat’s and I’m not sure what to do. I’m just very upset and only wanted to try and find a friend for my cat before our move. Especially while I had the time to spend with them and introduce them. We have about two and a half weeks until the move and I’m concerned the move may make things worse. Any advice would be appreciated!! I sincerely want this to work out between them. I already love my new little one so much and I absolutely do not want to re-home her.
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
Yep, it was a little rushed, most introductions take several weeks, but All Is Not Lost! Back up, regroup, and try again! I'm going to give you links for a couple of excellent articles on introducing and fixing failed introductions. They're easy reads, and chock-full of good ideas! Time is your friend! These things cannot be rushed, and you can only go as fast as the most reluctant cat is willing to go!

As for your move...I'd recommend that you get a couple of cheap sheets from Walmart or such, and place them where the cats will lounge around and shed ALL OVER them. Then, just before you move, cut the sheets into squares, about 18"x18", fold them up fur-side-in, and place in a bag. When you get to your new home, before you let the cats out, place a few squares from each cat in every room. That way, where ever they go, they will find something that smells familiar to them! You're basically giving them "instant territory"

NOW FOR THOSE ARTICLES!

How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Introducing Cats To Cats
How To Fix An Unsuccessful Cat Introduction
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

Airka

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 21, 2020
Messages
5
Purraise
3
Thank you so much!! The articles were extremely helpful and I love the sheet idea! 😊
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Hello everyone! I’m hoping to find some help with the recent introduction of my new cat and resident cats. I currently live with my roommate and we each have our own cat. Their introduction happened within a day and they are extremely close. I will be moving in a little under a month so I was nervous having my cat live alone after the move (she’s always been with another cat). Since I’m home until my new job starts in June I thought this would be the perfect time to get my cat a friend. The new cat is a little over a year (same age as the other two resident cats). She was a stray who was recently brought in extremely sick with her kittens (who didn’t make it :(). After getting better she was spayed and during this whole time she stayed with her foster. The foster had 8 adults cats that she was able to get along with them no problems at all with no aggression. She was brought in in March and I just adopted her. Since I brought her home I’ve kept her in my room and she was hissing at the door at first. I’ve been feeding both cats by the door and they were doing okay and the hissing by the door stopped. We did some site swapping and that went well so we decided to do a baby gate visit. Initially there was some growling and hissing and we closed the door and tried again later. Eventually they would just sit by the gate looking at one another, no aggression. We decided to try a meet and greet finally since the new cat was very interested in leaving the room. Again initially a little aggression that we would break up and take a break from. Eventually they were starting to play and it seemed to be going well. Later that day my cat tried going into my room (the new cats safe space) the new cat let her in initially but when I walked in to watch, my resident cat ran out and the new cat charged at her. We separated them and tried again the next day and the same thing happened with my roommates cat. The new cat has become very aggressive recently and is now hissing and growling even through the baby gates and wants to get out to go after our resident cats. I’ve kept her in my room and I have not let her see the resident cats since. Today we did a room swap and she would not leave the area by the door. The was hissing at the door and seemed upset. I tried to distract her and play and ended up putting a towel under the door so she couldn’t see the shadows. She’s super friendly to me and loves cuddles and loves to play in my room but I’m having a very tough time introducing her. The resident cat’s are super sweet, not at all aggressive and just interested in meeting her. Since the charging they are a little more cautious going near the door and I think a little afraid. It has been 5 days total so not too long and I’m concerned I may have just rushed the process. I’m nervous this may have ruined the relationship between the cat’s and I’m not sure what to do. I’m just very upset and only wanted to try and find a friend for my cat before our move. Especially while I had the time to spend with them and introduce them. We have about two and a half weeks until the move and I’m concerned the move may make things worse. Any advice would be appreciated!! I sincerely want this to work out between them. I already love my new little one so much and I absolutely do not want to re-home her.
I agree, it was a bit rushed but it can be fixed.

Work on making positive associations (feeding on each side of the door), maximize positive encounters (for now scent only) and minimize, reduce, eliminate any negative associations and use distraction (a toy, food, words) to avoid a negative (or potential) encounter.

And during this work on building their confidence as a confident cat is more likely to accept and be accepted. We build confidence through Play, Food, Height and Love. So step up play with them and feed after play. Give them places to go high (cat tree) and get their scent on to "own" the territory (scratching posts, comfy bedding, etc). And finally, Love. Be as calm and confident around them as possible as cats take on our emotions. Reassure them. Distract as needed. Get them to purr as long as you are safe and not at risk of being hurt in anyway.

I can help you though this and answer your questions. It sometimes is a bit nuanced but I am happy to help.

Thank you so much for saving her life. We'll get them intro'd. Please ask anything anytime as I did not give a lot of info in this post.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

Airka

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 21, 2020
Messages
5
Purraise
3
I agree, it was a bit rushed but it can be fixed.

Work on making positive associations (feeding on each side of the door), maximize positive encounters (for now scent only) and minimize, reduce, eliminate any negative associations and use distraction (a toy, food, words) to avoid a negative (or potential) encounter.

And during this work on building their confidence as a confident cat is more likely to accept and be accepted. We build confidence through Play, Food, Height and Love. So step up play with them and feed after play. Give them places to go high (cat tree) and get their scent on to "own" the territory (scratching posts, comfy bedding, etc). And finally, Love. Be as calm and confident around them as possible as cats take on our emotions. Reassure them. Distract as needed. Get them to purr as long as you are safe and not at risk of being hurt in anyway.

I can help you though this and answer your questions. It sometimes is a bit nuanced but I am happy to help.

Thank you so much for saving her life. We'll get them intro'd. Please ask anything anytime as I did not give a lot of info in this post.

Thank you so much! It’s been going well and she’s seems a little more interested to explore the rooms when we site swap. We now have a blanket over baby gates and we’ve continued feeding them together and playing near the baby gates. She did manage to slip out of the room today though and immediately charged after the other cats. If happened so quickly. But we were able to separate them and I’ve been more cautious when entering/leaving the rooms.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Thank you so much! It’s been going well and she’s seems a little more interested to explore the rooms when we site swap. We now have a blanket over baby gates and we’ve continued feeding them together and playing near the baby gates. She did manage to slip out of the room today though and immediately charged after the other cats. If happened so quickly. But we were able to separate them and I’ve been more cautious when entering/leaving the rooms.
You are welcome.
Just take it slow. It is all about positive associations and positive encounters to build trust. Just keep feeding at the gate and make it as positive as possible. Try to keep the negatives as low or non-existent as possible. Think of it in terms of dating. It takes some time to build trust.

And keep building confidence as we mentioned Play, Food, height and Love.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

Airka

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 21, 2020
Messages
5
Purraise
3
Hello!! I wanted to pop in with a quick update. We are finally settled into our new place and the cats have both been doing very well. We have been feeding by the door and finally decided to move to the baby gates. They were both facing each other eating dinner with no problems! They do hiss a little when they come up to the gate too quickly but they are okay sitting a small distance from the gate. We have been playing on each side with them and giving them treats when things are going well. So, we have definitely made some progress! They are both a little more calm and less vocal with one another. :) Hopefully over the next few weeks we can get them a little more comfortable with one another.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Hello!! I wanted to pop in with a quick update. We are finally settled into our new place and the cats have both been doing very well. quickly but they are okay sitting a small distance from the gate. We have been playing on each side with them and giving them treats when things are going well. So, we have definitely made some progress! They are both a little moWe have been feeding by the door and finally decided to move to the baby gates. They were both facing each other eating dinner with no problems! They do hiss a little when they come up to the gate toore calm and less vocal with one another. :) Hopefully over the next few weeks we can get them a little more comfortable with one another.
Great to hear about the update.

So glad the move went well. Hope you enjoy the new place.

"We have been feeding by the door and finally decided to move to the baby gates. They were both facing each other eating dinner with no problems!" Great. Just keep taking it slow and reinforcing those positive associations (eating) and positive encounters. If you sense any unease distract with loving words, a treat, anything positive to avoid a negative. Anytime we avoid a negative it is another positive item in the foundation of trust.

"They do hiss a little when they come up to the gate too quickly " - That is normal. Hissing is communication, a warning. When it is respected and understood and nothing negative happens then it is a positive. Just use positive distraction to get them to avoid a negative encounter. And then when nothing bad happens reassure them, praise them that all is well.

"but they are okay sitting a small distance from the gate." - Perfect. Keep making those encounters as positive as possible. Itis all about repetition of positives to build trust.

"We have been playing on each side with them and giving them treats when things are going well." - Perfect. Building confidence. And a confident cat is more likely to accept and be accepted. Keep that up. Great work!!!

"So, we have definitely made some progress! They are both a little more calm and less vocal with one another." - Absolutely you have made progress. Great job. As you rightly point out there is more work. There are always ups and downs in intros but the key is to maximize positive encounters, minimize or avoid negative encounters and make those positive associations. If you can distract them to avoid a negative that is great. Anytime a cat looks away from another cat it shows trust and helps diffuse a situation AND builds trust between them. No cat would look away from a potential threat so it shows the other cat there is some trust which is great.

"Hopefully over the next few weeks we can get them a little more comfortable with one another." - I am highly confident you will. Just take it slow, keep reinforcing those positives and keep doing what you are doing. You can probably do some scent swapping now. So get an old shirt with the other cat's scent and put it in the other cat's room where that cat is positive and confident. Please let me know if you have a question about that.

Keep up the great work. There may be some ups and downs but just stick to the program and keep taking it slow and do what you are doing. We'll get there.

Great work!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

Airka

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 21, 2020
Messages
5
Purraise
3
Final update: after months of trying to get the girls to get along we are finally able to let them out with one another! It’s been about a month and they are doing great. We tried and tried everyday and they eventually tolerated one another. There was some hissing and they would keep their distance but now they are best friends! They run around and chase each other and sleep together on their cat tree. I wanted to thank everyone for all of the advice and support I received in the beginning. Without all of the support and feedback I’m not sure I would have make it through. Thank you! Here are a few photos!
 

Attachments

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Final update: after months of trying to get the girls to get along we are finally able to let them out with one another! It’s been about a month and they are doing great. We tried and tried everyday and they eventually tolerated one another. There was some hissing and they would keep their distance but now they are best friends! They run around and chase each other and sleep together on their cat tree. I wanted to thank everyone for all of the advice and support I received in the beginning. Without all of the support and feedback I’m not sure I would have make it through. Thank you! Here are a few photos!
Congratulations!! Thank you so much for loving them so much, not giving up, and putting in the effort. It isn't easy but well worth it!!!

GREAT JOB!!!

They are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS cats!!! Thank you for the pics.

You absolutely made my week!! Thank you for all you are doing for them. :rock:
 
Top