hi y'all. we are having some issues that began when we took in a cat we found. between just one of the resident cats (nanners) and the new cat (tater tot). we had them separated for about a week (maybe a little less? can't remember exactly). we kept tater tot in another room with toys, water, a window, scratching box, liter box, etc. she was so happy and making muffins everywhere and rolling around. after we took her to the vet and made sure it was okay for her to be around the other cats, we introduced them. we had them trade off spaces a bit before introducing them as well.
when we introduced them, she was a little hesitant - they all seemed curious, of course, but nanners become more and more aggressive. we have been interfering with loud noises/water bottle, playing with them together (separate toys, same room - wet food 5 or so feet apart) - just trying to create positive associations. we decided to try re-introducing them.
so back in the room tater tot went for about 5 days. we fed them at the same time close to the door (door staying closed). we did more space trading. this morning, we re-introduced them, and nanners went right after tater tot. it doesn't matter how much we spray her. it will make her stop attacking tater tot in that moment, but then she's back at stalking her again a few minutes later before pouncing. i'm scared she is associating bad things with tater tot because she keeps getting sprayed, but i don't know what else to do. i don't want them to hurt one another.
now tater tot doesn't seem to trust the other cat (monkey) - she hisses every time monkey walks by but doesn't swipe or attack him. poor monkey is just stuck in the middle and doesn't react thankfully. and tater tot doesn't seem happy anymore, and i am feeling guilty. i feel like we took her in to give her a better life, but now she is just scared and keeps meowing at the windows.
should we separate them again but for longer? tater tot seems really comfortable all over the house now (supervised - when we are keeping nanners at bay) and doesn't seem happy to be back inside the room even though we are trying to make it a nice place for her. is there anything else we can do? it seems like when we separated them again, nanners' aggression was just worse when we re-introduced tater tot. in case it isn't clear and is important info - nanners and tater tot are both spayed females between 2-5 years old, monkey is a neutered male who is about 7-8 years old. thanks for any feedback.
when we introduced them, she was a little hesitant - they all seemed curious, of course, but nanners become more and more aggressive. we have been interfering with loud noises/water bottle, playing with them together (separate toys, same room - wet food 5 or so feet apart) - just trying to create positive associations. we decided to try re-introducing them.
so back in the room tater tot went for about 5 days. we fed them at the same time close to the door (door staying closed). we did more space trading. this morning, we re-introduced them, and nanners went right after tater tot. it doesn't matter how much we spray her. it will make her stop attacking tater tot in that moment, but then she's back at stalking her again a few minutes later before pouncing. i'm scared she is associating bad things with tater tot because she keeps getting sprayed, but i don't know what else to do. i don't want them to hurt one another.
now tater tot doesn't seem to trust the other cat (monkey) - she hisses every time monkey walks by but doesn't swipe or attack him. poor monkey is just stuck in the middle and doesn't react thankfully. and tater tot doesn't seem happy anymore, and i am feeling guilty. i feel like we took her in to give her a better life, but now she is just scared and keeps meowing at the windows.
should we separate them again but for longer? tater tot seems really comfortable all over the house now (supervised - when we are keeping nanners at bay) and doesn't seem happy to be back inside the room even though we are trying to make it a nice place for her. is there anything else we can do? it seems like when we separated them again, nanners' aggression was just worse when we re-introduced tater tot. in case it isn't clear and is important info - nanners and tater tot are both spayed females between 2-5 years old, monkey is a neutered male who is about 7-8 years old. thanks for any feedback.