Introducing new cats

flybear

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
212
Purraise
280
it sounds like your kitties will be just fine together .... I personally think we give cats too little credit for their social skills ... well socialized cats that have known other cats will establish rules and communication quite nicely. A hiss or growl isn't negative ... it is simply establishing boundaries ..." back off ... this is mine ( for the moment)- or .. NO ". I introduce cats and kittens as fosters on a regular base and there are always some hisses at the beginning when they establish their ground rules but ... I count it as a success if there is respect ... one hisses, the other walks away ... THAT is what you want. Some cats will become best buddies, some even bonded pairs, some become roomies and some never like each other but co-exists and on rare occasions two don't get along ( just like with us humans ... imagine you had to live with some stranger ... ) . Your cats seem to have good social skills and when their body posture is relaxed when in the same room .... they are not really opposed to each other either ... they speak " cat" and we don't - I think they will get along very nicely :-)
 

Beyond Confused

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
450
Purraise
398
it sounds like your kitties will be just fine together .... I personally think we give cats too little credit for their social skills ... well socialized cats that have known other cats will establish rules and communication quite nicely. A hiss or growl isn't negative ... it is simply establishing boundaries ..." back off ... this is mine ( for the moment)- or .. NO ". I introduce cats and kittens as fosters on a regular base and there are always some hisses at the beginning when they establish their ground rules but ... I count it as a success if there is respect ... one hisses, the other walks away ... THAT is what you want. Some cats will become best buddies, some even bonded pairs, some become roomies and some never like each other but co-exists and on rare occasions two don't get along ( just like with us humans ... imagine you had to live with some stranger ... ) . Your cats seem to have good social skills and when their body posture is relaxed when in the same room .... they are not really opposed to each other either ... they speak " cat" and we don't - I think they will get along very nicely :-)
Thank you. I sure hope you're right!
 

Beyond Confused

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
450
Purraise
398
Thursday morning:

Duncan was up on his tree, looking out the window, so I let Indy into the rest of the house.

I grabbed my phone, and when I looked up, Duncan was on the ground, a couple feet away from Indy. Oh, boy. I decided to let it ride.

Duncan growled and/or hissed, Indy sat there.

I distracted Indy with one of those ring toys with the ball. This became his obsession for the next 10 minutes or so. Duncan stood off in the background, keeping a watchful eye.

At one point, Indy hopped into Duncan's litter box. Duncan moved a little closer and watched, but he was okay.

All was fine, until Duncan decided he would like to pass by. Naturally, he couldn't take the long way around, no. He had to pass right between where I was sitting and where Indy was playing. This brought a little more hissing, but Indy was too into his toy to care. Duncan moved into the dining room and continued to watch.

Indy continued playing.

More of the back and forth...Duncan was ok, then he was annoyed and hissed/growled...then he was okay.
There was a little dust up where Indy kind of hopped toward Duncan or something. I don't know. I'm trying to work and make sure things don't blow sky high at the same time. Plus, it happened under my chair. Duncan hissed and growled, and Indy stopped.

At one point, Duncan hopped on the cat tree, and Indy soon followed. Oy. I have pictures of various moments, and I'll have to upload them in a bit. Indy found Duncan's "thinking spot" and surprisingly, I think Duncan was okay with it, as long as Indy understood he wasn't to make any sudden moves.

This is getting long, and really, it's a repeat cycle. We're currently or almost to the 1 hour mark. Duncan jumped on the other cat tree, and as he was in the process, Indy bounded in after him from the other room. Duncan turned and hissed, Indy stopped in his tracks. Indy has now moved back to the first cat tree, Duncan is sitting on the second. Phew! Maybe I can get some more work done now. Hopefully the peace will hold for a bit.

Again, I'll upload pics a little later.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Thursday morning:

Duncan was up on his tree, looking out the window, so I let Indy into the rest of the house.

I grabbed my phone, and when I looked up, Duncan was on the ground, a couple feet away from Indy. Oh, boy. I decided to let it ride.

Duncan growled and/or hissed, Indy sat there.

I distracted Indy with one of those ring toys with the ball. This became his obsession for the next 10 minutes or so. Duncan stood off in the background, keeping a watchful eye.

At one point, Indy hopped into Duncan's litter box. Duncan moved a little closer and watched, but he was okay.

All was fine, until Duncan decided he would like to pass by. Naturally, he couldn't take the long way around, no. He had to pass right between where I was sitting and where Indy was playing. This brought a little more hissing, but Indy was too into his toy to care. Duncan moved into the dining room and continued to watch.

Indy continued playing.

More of the back and forth...Duncan was ok, then he was annoyed and hissed/growled...then he was okay.
There was a little dust up where Indy kind of hopped toward Duncan or something. I don't know. I'm trying to work and make sure things don't blow sky high at the same time. Plus, it happened under my chair. Duncan hissed and growled, and Indy stopped.

At one point, Duncan hopped on the cat tree, and Indy soon followed. Oy. I have pictures of various moments, and I'll have to upload them in a bit. Indy found Duncan's "thinking spot" and surprisingly, I think Duncan was okay with it, as long as Indy understood he wasn't to make any sudden moves.

This is getting long, and really, it's a repeat cycle. We're currently or almost to the 1 hour mark. Duncan jumped on the other cat tree, and as he was in the process, Indy bounded in after him from the other room. Duncan turned and hissed, Indy stopped in his tracks. Indy has now moved back to the first cat tree, Duncan is sitting on the second. Phew! Maybe I can get some more work done now. Hopefully the peace will hold for a bit.

Again, I'll upload pics a little later.
"Thursday morning: Duncan was up on his tree, looking out the window, so I let Indy into the rest of the house." - Great

"I grabbed my phone, and when I looked up, Duncan was on the ground, a couple feet away from Indy." - So Duncan came down from the cat tree to "greet" Indy? Or was he just coming down anyway? Or not sure. A couple of feet.................. Interesting

"Oh, boy. I decided to let it ride." - Ok good. This is what I was planning for this weekend.

"Duncan growled and/or hissed, Indy sat there." - Expected from Duncan. Great job Indy!!!

"I distracted Indy with one of those ring toys with the ball. This became his obsession for the next 10 minutes or so. Duncan stood off in the background, keeping a watchful eye." - :yess: This is great and a big deal. Avoiding a negative is a positive. Showing Duncan Indy isn't after him is a positive. EXACTLY what we want to see.

"At one point, Indy hopped into Duncan's litter box. Duncan moved a little closer and watched, but he was okay." - Wow, awesome.

"All was fine, until Duncan decided he would like to pass by. Naturally, he couldn't take the long way around, no." - Hahaha, yep BUT that shows there is trust. So actually very interesting and a good sign.

"He had to pass right between where I was sitting and where Indy was playing. This brought a little more hissing, but Indy was too into his toy to care. Duncan moved into the dining room and continued to watch." - :yess::hyper::clap2: WOW!!!! THIS is AMAZING!!!

"Indy continued playing." - AWESOME!!! Again, showing Duncan and building his confidence. Perfect

"More of the back and forth...Duncan was ok, then he was annoyed and hissed/growled...then he was okay." - That is the process. Building trust and confidence.

"There was a little dust up where Indy kind of hopped toward Duncan or something. I don't know. I'm trying to work and make sure things don't blow sky high at the same time. Plus, it happened under my chair. Duncan hissed and growled, and Indy stopped." - Ok, expected BUT the fact Indy stopped shows there is respect. Again, test passed. Awesome

"At one point, Duncan hopped on the cat tree, and Indy soon followed. Oy." - Oy is right!!!

" I have pictures of various moments, and I'll have to upload them in a bit." - OK, will be interesting.

"Indy found Duncan's "thinking spot" and surprisingly, I think Duncan was okay with it, as long as Indy understood he wasn't to make any sudden moves." - WOW!!! :hyper: I was not expecting that to be honest. GREAT JOB DUNCAN!!!!

"This is getting long, and really, it's a repeat cycle. We're currently or almost to the 1 hour mark." - WOW!!!!

" Duncan jumped on the other cat tree, and as he was in the process, Indy bounded in after him from the other room. Duncan turned and hissed, Indy stopped in his tracks." - Perfect!!!

"Indy has now moved back to the first cat tree, Duncan is sitting on the second." - WOW!!! SUCCESS!!!! I think we can call it now!! I am so happy right now I actually have tears. This is amazing!!! I am beyond ecstatic right now!!!

"Phew! Maybe I can get some more work done now." - YES!!! That is why we were going to do this this weekend. BUT I am glad you did it. Tells us everything we needed to know. They are intro'd. We have to continue making those positive encounters but they are fine. We know now. There will be dustups and some unease but there case of trust is there and the line is known. They are going to be just fine.

"Hopefully the peace will hold for a bit." - Yes, they are going to be fine. There will be moments but that is all excitement and play driven. Duncan has accepted, Indy is respecting. It honestly is fantastic.

I am SO PROUD of YOU, Indy AND DUNCAN!!!! :hyper::clap2::rock::cheerleader:
 

Beyond Confused

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
450
Purraise
398
"I grabbed my phone, and when I looked up, Duncan was on the ground, a couple feet away from Indy." - So Duncan came down from the cat tree to "greet" Indy? Or was he just coming down anyway? Or not sure. A couple of feet.................. Interesting
He definitely wasn't coming down to welcome him with open arms. I just think he wanted to be on the ground.



"Phew! Maybe I can get some more work done now." - YES!!! That is why we were going to do this this weekend. BUT I am glad you did it. Tells us everything we needed to know. They are intro'd. We have to continue making those positive encounters but they are fine. We know now. There will be dustups and some unease but there case of trust is there and the line is known. They are going to be just fine.
:party3:

I can't wait to put the pics up. I think you'll be surprised.
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
He definitely wasn't coming down to welcome him with open arms. I just think he wanted to be on the ground.





:party3:

I can't wait to put the pics up. I think you'll be surprised.
"He definitely wasn't coming down to welcome him with open arms. I just think he wanted to be on the ground." - Ok, interesting. It sure turned out well. :)

"I can't wait to put the pics up. I think you'll be surprised." - Cool!!!!

I have a feeling you are having a really good day!!! ;) I know I sure am!!!
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Here are 3. I'm waiting on the other 3, which are way better. Duncan is in the background of these. Pretend you're spotting Waldo. :)
Hahahaha. I had no problem finding Duncan.

He looks a touch cautious (which is to be expected) but looks fine. And Indy looks great. Pic 1 Duncan looks great observing. Pic 2 is amazing as Duncan doesn't even care about Indy. And pic 3 Duncan is looking away from Indy. :yess: Duncan only looks cautious because of where is in Pic 1 really. And Indy's body language, etc is perfect in all. That is why they are doing so well.

AWESOME!! Thanks for sharing, can't wait to see the others.
 

Beyond Confused

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
450
Purraise
398
We made it 15 minutes today before it started getting quite contentious.

Duncan was sleeping in his cat tree box, so I let Indy out. He headed straight to the sun room and up on the cat tree to where Duncan was, swiping his paws at Duncan. I encouraged Indy to get down, which he did for a minute or two. He wandered to the dining room and then back...Straight back to that cat tree. By now, Duncan was hip to his game, so the hissing and growling started. Indy hopped further up the cat tree, even hopping on top of the box where Duncan was laying. He peeked down into the box from above. Growling and hissing galore from Duncan. Indy swiped again. I pulled him down and put him on the other cat tree. He promptly hopped down and went straight back to Duncan's tree. This time, he took swipes at Duncan from the end of the box (there are two openings.) There was screeching, hissing, and growling. Duncan came out of his box and moved to a higher level. He was clearly upset, so I grabbed Indy up and put him back in the bedroom. The main reason for me doing that was because I'm pretty sure that Indy's nails need to be trimmed back quite a bit before I put him with Duncan in a situation like this.

He was attracted to Duncan like a moth to a flame today, and I don't have the time to referee. After yesterday went so well, I was really hoping they (read: Indy) would've been a little more settled down today. I guess not. :angrywoman:
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
We made it 15 minutes today before it started getting quite contentious.

Duncan was sleeping in his cat tree box, so I let Indy out. He headed straight to the sun room and up on the cat tree to where Duncan was, swiping his paws at Duncan. I encouraged Indy to get down, which he did for a minute or two. He wandered to the dining room and then back...Straight back to that cat tree. By now, Duncan was hip to his game, so the hissing and growling started. Indy hopped further up the cat tree, even hopping on top of the box where Duncan was laying. He peeked down into the box from above. Growling and hissing galore from Duncan. Indy swiped again. I pulled him down and put him on the other cat tree. He promptly hopped down and went straight back to Duncan's tree. This time, he took swipes at Duncan from the end of the box (there are two openings.) There was screeching, hissing, and growling. Duncan came out of his box and moved to a higher level. He was clearly upset, so I grabbed Indy up and put him back in the bedroom. The main reason for me doing that was because I'm pretty sure that Indy's nails need to be trimmed back quite a bit before I put him with Duncan in a situation like this.

He was attracted to Duncan like a moth to a flame today, and I don't have the time to referee. After yesterday went so well, I was really hoping they (read: Indy) would've been a little more settled down today. I guess not. :angrywoman:
"We made it 15 minutes today before it started getting quite contentious." - Ok

"Duncan was sleeping in his cat tree box, so I let Indy out. He headed straight to the sun room and up on the cat tree to where Duncan was, swiping his paws at Duncan. I encouraged Indy to get down, which he did for a minute or two. He wandered to the dining room and then back...Straight back to that cat tree." - Yep, it sounds like he wanted to play.

"By now, Duncan was hip to his game, so the hissing and growling started. Indy hopped further up the cat tree, even hopping on top of the box where Duncan was laying. He peeked down into the box from above." - Yep.

"Growling and hissing galore from Duncan. Indy swiped again." - Expected. But Indy did not make contact? How was Duncan's body language?

"I pulled him down and put him on the other cat tree. He promptly hopped down and went straight back to Duncan's tree." - Yes, sounds like he wanted to play badly.

This time, he took swipes at Duncan from the end of the box (there are two openings.) There was screeching, hissing, and growling." - Ok

"Duncan came out of his box and moved to a higher level." - That is good.

"He was clearly upset," - Yes, but doesn't seem too afraid or worried. Correct?

"so I grabbed Indy up and put him back in the bedroom. The main reason for me doing that was because I'm pretty sure that Indy's nails need to be trimmed back quite a bit before I put him with Duncan in a situation like this." - OK, makes sense. But Indy (and Duncan_ seem to have shown a lot of restraint and respect.

"He was attracted to Duncan like a moth to a flame today, and I don't have the time to referee." - Yes.

" After yesterday went so well, I was really hoping they (read: Indy) would've been a little more settled down today. I guess not. :angrywoman: " - Yes. No, sounds like Indy really wanted to play. Duncan seemed to have held his ground AND they seemed to respect and not cross the line which is great.

How did Duncan act afterwards? That will tell us a lot.

Overall, I think there were a lot of positives. I am not at all bothered by today. To be expected. And am actually encouraged by how well Duncan did and how they respected each other. Sounds like there was no intent to hurt the other.

If at all possible I would love to see video of them.

We do need to start thinking about how we are going to transition Indy out of the bathroom. Where we are going to move his bed, etc.

Keep doing what you are doing.
 

Beyond Confused

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
450
Purraise
398
"Growling and hissing galore from Duncan. Indy swiped again." - Expected. But Indy did not make contact? How was Duncan's body language?
Overall, he was fine. He just lounged in his box, watching Indy while he made a lot of noise. Even at the end when he got out of his box and went higher, he was annoyed with Indy, obviously, but his demeanor was fine. After I put Indy back in the bedroom, Duncan continued to sit up in the tree before he joined me at my desk.



We do need to start thinking about how we are going to transition Indy out of the bathroom. Where we are going to move his bed, etc.
He stopped sleeping in his carrier and has decided for weeks now that the sink is for him. Even when I go looking for him in the middle of the afternoon - he could be curled up on the bed or under it, but half the time, he chooses to sleep in the bathroom sink.
Duncan has his carrier, but really, the world is his bed. I'm assuming Indy will be the same way. :)
 

calicosrspecial

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
4,428
Purraise
2,542
Overall, he was fine. He just lounged in his box, watching Indy while he made a lot of noise. Even at the end when he got out of his box and went higher, he was annoyed with Indy, obviously, but his demeanor was fine. After I put Indy back in the bedroom, Duncan continued to sit up in the tree before he joined me at my desk.





He stopped sleeping in his carrier and has decided for weeks now that the sink is for him. Even when I go looking for him in the middle of the afternoon - he could be curled up on the bed or under it, but half the time, he chooses to sleep in the bathroom sink.
Duncan has his carrier, but really, the world is his bed. I'm assuming Indy will be the same way. :)
"Overall, he was fine. He just lounged in his box, watching Indy while he made a lot of noise. Even at the end when he got out of his box and went higher, he was annoyed with Indy, obviously, but his demeanor was fine." - Great. That is exactly what I was hoping to hear.

"After I put Indy back in the bedroom, Duncan continued to sit up in the tree before he joined me at my desk." - :)

"He stopped sleeping in his carrier and has decided for weeks now that the sink is for him." - Hahahaha, I can see that with him. A character. You should get a pic of that.

" Even when I go looking for him in the middle of the afternoon - he could be curled up on the bed or under it, but half the time, he chooses to sleep in the bathroom sink." - Ok. It will be nighttime that will be interesting.

"Duncan has his carrier, but really, the world is his bed. I'm assuming Indy will be the same way. :) " - Awwwwwwwwwww

Did Admiral sleep with you and Duncan?
 

Beyond Confused

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
450
Purraise
398
Did Admiral sleep with you and Duncan?
Yes and no. He always started in the bed with me...ALWAYS. Sometime during the night, he was move out to the chair in the living room. When I'd get up to go to the bathroom or get water or something, I'd always stop and hug on him. That was all he needed, and he'd race me to the bedroom, where he'd sleep the rest of the night. Pretty much every morning, I'd wake up sandwiched between the two, or Admiral would be curled up on my chest with his face right in mine. :) The funniest mornings would be when I'd wake up with Admiral on my chest and Duncan on my legs.
 

Beyond Confused

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
450
Purraise
398
Sunday morning:

I went to open the hallway door this morning, and Duncan was right behind me. I figured Indy was right on the other side, but I opened the door anyway, since Duncan was so curious.

The second he saw Indy, he jumped back a little, and then he promptly made his way around the back of the recliner. Indy marched confidently out into the living room. Every time they would come face to face, Duncan would hiss and Indy would immediately walk in another direction. Great.

This went on for maybe 10-15 minutes. Eventually, Duncan was sitting in the dining room, and Indy came up behind him. He launched himself on Duncan, and Duncan let out a loud, angry screech. He raced into the kitchen, and Indy stayed behind in the dining room. I went out to the kitchen and pet Duncan who was slightly hunched up. He let me pet him just fine, but he wouldn't relax.
Indy soon joined Duncan in the kitchen, parading around in front of Duncan, tail held high, no worries. Duncan growled and hissed the whole time.
Indy left the kitchen, so I tried to coax Duncan into coming over to me. He wouldn't move. Eventually, I went over and picked Duncan up. He kind of let out a sad little cry, but he relaxed in my arms.

I saw on the living room chair, and he immediately hopped to the back of the chair and laid down. He kept his eyes on Indy the entire time.

Indy tried to get to him a few times, but he failed every time, usually because the jump was just a tad too much for him. Indy hopped on the cedar chest and looked out the window, Duncan watched him, growling occasionally. At one point, Indy sprawled out on the cedar chest, watching Duncan. Duncan mostly watched him, but there were times when he turned his head away from Indy for a few minutes.

Nearing the 1 hour mark, Indy tried one last time to get to Duncan. He missed the jump again, but it was enough to get more growls and hisses.

By this point, I just needed a break, so I put Indy back in the bathroom, and I'm considering a nap. Duncan has already headed that way.

I may try again a little later.
 
Top