Cat hates roommates cat

Arielrod

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So I adopted my cat (Mitsy) when she was three months old at my local shelter and since then she has never had to live with any other animals. She is almost ten years old so she’s been the only one for quite some time. When I moved for college I brought her with me and I’ve several roommates over the years. She’s never taken too kindly to new people, isn’t social, and scares easily, she’s always been like this, nothing new. A few months ago I got a new roommate who also brought her cat with her, Floyd. Floyd is a two year old male, VERY sweet but very skittish and shy and Mitsy is not liking another cat in her space. He mostly stays in my roommates room and doesn’t come out much because he’s scared of her. She’ll go to him and start screaming, hissing, and swatting at him. Mitsy is declawed and is quite small so she does no physical harm and Floyd had claws and is much larger but he won’t use them or fight back. Anytime she even catches a glimpse of him she goes and starts a fight. She’ll even go into his room and eat his food and fight if he comes out from under the bed (which is where he flees when she comes near) I feel awful for Floyd and don’t want either cats feeling stressed or uncomfortable. I still have a few months with them and want peace for both cats. Floyd seems to want to get along and play but Misty is not having it. Any advice on how to help them coexist?
 

weili

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So I adopted my cat (Mitsy) when she was three months old at my local shelter and since then she has never had to live with any other animals. She is almost ten years old so she’s been the only one for quite some time. When I moved for college I brought her with me and I’ve several roommates over the years. She’s never taken too kindly to new people, isn’t social, and scares easily, she’s always been like this, nothing new. A few months ago I got a new roommate who also brought her cat with her, Floyd. Floyd is a two year old male, VERY sweet but very skittish and shy and Mitsy is not liking another cat in her space. He mostly stays in my roommates room and doesn’t come out much because he’s scared of her. She’ll go to him and start screaming, hissing, and swatting at him. Mitsy is declawed and is quite small so she does no physical harm and Floyd had claws and is much larger but he won’t use them or fight back. Anytime she even catches a glimpse of him she goes and starts a fight. She’ll even go into his room and eat his food and fight if he comes out from under the bed (which is where he flees when she comes near) I feel awful for Floyd and don’t want either cats feeling stressed or uncomfortable. I still have a few months with them and want peace for both cats. Floyd seems to want to get along and play but Misty is not having it. Any advice on how to help them coexist?
Wow Floyd is such a polite cat. Should have separated them first for several days to get them use to each other. Just have Floyd in a room, or leave Mitsy in a big or fun space (tall cat tree, window to look out at, interactive toys). It would be best if the new cat in the environment is the one that is quarantined. I think Mitsy is very cautious against new people due to having no claws. Many cats suffer depression from the experience and the loss of defense. I think you need to make he understand Floyd and the people that live with you are safe. Or you need to make people understand they need to do that. If they want to interact with her. Like having sniff their finger or letting stay in a safe place like under bed or couch and slowly adjust to the new person. Have them give her favorite snack from a comfortable distance. Once she starts warming up, have them use her favorite toy.
 

FeebysOwner

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There is no reason you can't begin a proper introduction process - see link to TCS article below. There might be a step or two you can alter or adjust since they have been exposed to each other already but trying a more methodical approach will likely be helpful. Even if these two cats aren't going to be together for a long time, it wouldn't hurt to get Misty used to another cat in case another similar scenario comes along.
How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide – TheCatSite Articles
 
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