Months Of Cat Introduction

Pika ALWAYS wants to be around Coffee... even if she is growling the whole time XD


Coffee:

Pika:

Awww... they're cutie pies. Hopefully someday they'll be best buds.

Your Coffee sounds exactly like MY Coffee, and your Pika sounds exactly like my Maui. We're coming up on one year now. It is definitely a slow process, but your thread reminded me that I need to trust them more!

Kflowers said:

Progress in all cultures with all species requires communication. If you stop the communication, you prevent progress, you actually prevent them becoming friends.

Click to expand...

K Kflowers this quote is amazing!

I definitely tend to fall into a bit of a routine of keeping my two separated because it's "easier" than being on constant alert. Our house is big enough that they both have a ton of space when separated, so thank you for reminding me to let them work it out some more! Because of this I've opened the door to allow them both access; I am downstairs, they're both upstairs, and it's quiet. Trust and communication is key!

Good luck M metonymforlove !!

It also helps if you can be relaxed. If you are tense they will be looking for the threat and be on guard. That frequently ends up with
an attack on whoever moves.

Goodness! It has been 8 months since my last update, and 1 year and 3 months since Pika joined us. Just in case anybody is going through what my husband and I had to go through, I wanted to give HOPE!

When I first posted here, I thought that integrating our two kitties might be the death of me. I couldn't do ANYTHING without worrying a fight would break out, and it was truly taking a toll on my work life - and just my quality of life overall really. I'm not sure I could ever do it again really.

However, our two kitties are doing SO MUCH BETTER now! Before, their fights were terrifying (scratches, fur flying, screaming, hissing, spitting). However, at about the 8 month mark, their fights became much more tame (Pika chases Coffee - Coffee runs into a corner or tower and swipes/hisses - Pika swipes, then backs off). Therefore, we started leaving both kitties out together and leaving the house for longer intervals at a time (1 hour the first time, then 2, then 3, and so on). They weren't getting along, but their fights were much tamer, which is why we risked it. Eventually, we got them up to 8 hours, which was the goal because that was the amount of time they would have to be alone when we were at work.

Currently, the two are much more at peace with one another. Pika still chases Coffee occasionally, and Coffee still hisses and smacks him in the head, but the fear-filled violence is no more. Also, interestingly enough, their relationship is STILL CHANGING. For example, Coffee groomed Pika today for the first time - EVER. Recently, she even started chasing Pika. Pika seems very confused when this happens and just raises his paw to smack her - most of their interaction is batting now with the occasional play and possibly grooming?

In any case, I really appreciate all of you for sticking with me through our cat journey. I hope all of you are staying safe and healthy in the midst of our current pandemic!

May God bless all of you and your families!

I'm so happy to hear things are much improved between Pika and Coffee. Thanks for the update.

So glad you posted! I have 2 recent new kitties (added to my 2 residents) and it's good to be reminded how long it can take. Like me: it can take me a long time for me to get to know someone, kitties can be the same!