Introducing Cats - Day 7

Hey
So we have 6 month old Elsa & 9 week old Eevee. Both female. Elsa is spayed.
This video was done on day 7 of contact after all the scent swapping stuff etc
We concluded they were probably just trying to play. But the claws are confusing. She hisses at Eevee at the beginning , and hissed and growled jjst after I finished the video. Sadly didn’t catch those on camera.
However, after this video we gave them face to face contact. I didn’t film it because we were concentrating and being alert ready for anything. Elsa hissed in Eevee’s face and bopped her on the head a few times, soft then the last one was hard. She had her backed in a corner the entire time. There was a lot of growling too. We stopped this after 5 mins and they’re separate again now. They’ve only had very short sessions together of 10-20 mins over the past 7 days. We feel we’ve made progress but would like to hear your stories and see if you experienced this. I’m very anxious and worried that they’ll never get along and that Elsa will try to attack Eevee although she has not yet.
Here’s the video -

Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on the new kitten! It sounds like things are going pretty well, as some hissing and growling is to be expected. How did Eevee react when Elsa bopped her on the head? If she didn't seem scared, things are probably ok.

I haven't personally introduced cats and kittens, but TCS does have this article that might be helpful.

How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat

Also: Are My Cats Fighting Or Playing? | TheCatSite

I know you’re worried but this video made me laugh both their swatting and your reactions
I think you’re all good! Even hissing and growling is ok so get used to it, they will be learning each other and it will be their way of saying what is acceptable and what’s not in their relation. To me it looks as Elsa enthusiastically tries to get to her new moving toy. Can you maybe figure out a way of separating them but so that they see each other constantly? Something like baby fence going all the way up? Also, you can feed them by the door with the door slightly ajar. I think all is going to be well!

Hey guys
We’ve concluded it’s playing too and maybe else reacted badly when face to face as that was the first time she had the guts to approach Eevee.
Gonna try again later without the door and get lotsa toys involved!

Haha

rubysmama said:

Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on the new kitten! It sounds like things are going pretty well, as some hissing and growling is to be expected. How did Eevee react when Elsa bopped her on the head? If she didn't seem scared, things are probably ok.

I haven't personally introduced cats and kittens, but TCS does have this article that might be helpful.

How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat

Also: Are My Cats Fighting Or Playing? | TheCatSite

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I didn’t see it - my husband did the watching cos I was upset! She just stood in the corner taking it, bless her. She hissed once!

Madeline06 said:

Gonna try again later without the door and get lotsa toys involved!

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Let us know how it goes.

Madeline06 said:

Haha

I didn’t see it - my husband did the watching cos I was upset! She just stood in the corner taking it, bless her. She hissed once!

Click to expand...

Awww... sweetie girl.

That was pretty funny, with Elsa going up high with her paw. Looks like play, and as they are around each other more fully they will bop and swat and hiss as they get to know each other. My two will bop each other sometimes with claws out but there is no damage and the younger one mostly gives in, unless she decides to stand her ground then the older one gives in. My younger kitty will also go on her side with all 5 weapons displayed- four paws and teeth- to which older kitty will back down.
It can take some time for them to get things figured out but I think they will.

Thanks for the update! Any pictures you can share?

They still have their moments... it’s mostly Eevee starting rough play, Elsa plays rough back, Eevee realises it’s too much and cries / hisses. Elsa gets bored. Eevee attacks her again, cycle repeats!

Lovely pictures. It really sounds like things are going purr-fectly. The "fighting" sounds like play, and the fact that Eevee keeps going back for more "fun", means she's holding her own, and not scared/stressed.

I love the picture #4 with Evee on her back with paws out! They look fine and it sounds like a good time. Sometimes my youngster Mooshoo will flatten her ears back if older one Waffles is trying to boot her from "his" (Waffles) spot, but nothing happens- she doesn't attack, she then gives in. Thinking she's threatening him a bit like "Knock it off, I want to stay" then "oh alright. You win."