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- Aug 24, 2015
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I've just got my 1YO shorthair Tabby Mojo a 'Brother', he's 10 weeks old, short hair also tabby. Since we brought him home yesterday we've had him isolated in our dining room. We've borrowed a medium size dog crate from my mother in law it currently houses a litter box and an old jacket of mine which is lined with a synthetic sheep skin like you get on pet blankets. (don't ask me why I ever thought I would wear that). Anyway.
Mojo was curios, obviously, and we shut him in the crate and let her in after several hours of her crying, she hissed and ran away. The only time we've ever seen her this frightened is when my mum comes, and that's because she thinks the cat is akin to a toddler and she should understand the words "no" etc she kinda just shouts at her about not liking her. He had absolutely no reaction whatsoever, he just carried on his playing and sniffing. we have bought them each scratching pads for scent swapping and I did the sock rub, which I will continue to do as well as making sure their food is close to the door (neither are fussed about this).
I understand we may have let her in a little too early, but I read several options for introductions, I've even given advice about it on here. One of them suggested "fighting it out" which is DEFINATELY not an option Mojo would probably crush him if she wanted to.
My Question is if I have free fed Mojo for all of her life and I now change to a schedule to accommodate the classic slow introduction process of set feeding closer to the door will she not associate the hunger with the new arrival - making her feel negative.
Shall I just carry on with the space sharing, allowing them to swap rooms for five to ten minutes at a time?
It has only been a day since we brought him in and I understand it's going to take time, I just want to give them the best possible chance of getting along and stick to one plan going forward. Theory is fine until it's your own pet you just want it all to work out
Mojo was curios, obviously, and we shut him in the crate and let her in after several hours of her crying, she hissed and ran away. The only time we've ever seen her this frightened is when my mum comes, and that's because she thinks the cat is akin to a toddler and she should understand the words "no" etc she kinda just shouts at her about not liking her. He had absolutely no reaction whatsoever, he just carried on his playing and sniffing. we have bought them each scratching pads for scent swapping and I did the sock rub, which I will continue to do as well as making sure their food is close to the door (neither are fussed about this).
I understand we may have let her in a little too early, but I read several options for introductions, I've even given advice about it on here. One of them suggested "fighting it out" which is DEFINATELY not an option Mojo would probably crush him if she wanted to.
My Question is if I have free fed Mojo for all of her life and I now change to a schedule to accommodate the classic slow introduction process of set feeding closer to the door will she not associate the hunger with the new arrival - making her feel negative.
Shall I just carry on with the space sharing, allowing them to swap rooms for five to ten minutes at a time?
It has only been a day since we brought him in and I understand it's going to take time, I just want to give them the best possible chance of getting along and stick to one plan going forward. Theory is fine until it's your own pet you just want it all to work out