Oh, dear. That is dire. You certainly can't have Shy Cat using your food preparation areas as a litter box.
You don't need to keep Bully Cat locked behind closed doors all day in a reintroduction. You can swap cats so that both cats have the run of the house at some point during the day. That's what I would do, anyway.
When it comes to meal time, the idea is to move their bowls closer and closer to each other while both cats remain separated by the door. Eventually, they should be eating side-by-side on either side of the door.
It's also important to gradually increase their exposure to each other. This usually involves opening the door a crack and letting them see each other for longer periods of time each day. With time, the initial hissing and swatting should die down. You can also try letting them out together for a brief period of time, again extending it as the behavior improves.
I can't guarantee this will work with Bully Cat and Shy Cat but reintroductions often do help so you might give it a try.
Here again is our article on introducing cats: How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Here are two articles that describe reintroduction methods: Think Like a Cat:Reintroduction Method | Pam Johnson-Bennett Aggression Between Cats in Your Household
Bringing in a professional cat behaviorist is a terrific idea. I'm a bit skeptical of the ones who claim to know what a cat is thinking or feeling but it can be invaluable to have a professional on site who can watch the dynamic between cats and evaluate their environment. They'll be able to provide you with a personalized plan for handling the hostility between Shy Cat and Bully Cat.
Good luck! Please keep us updated!
You don't need to keep Bully Cat locked behind closed doors all day in a reintroduction. You can swap cats so that both cats have the run of the house at some point during the day. That's what I would do, anyway.
When it comes to meal time, the idea is to move their bowls closer and closer to each other while both cats remain separated by the door. Eventually, they should be eating side-by-side on either side of the door.
It's also important to gradually increase their exposure to each other. This usually involves opening the door a crack and letting them see each other for longer periods of time each day. With time, the initial hissing and swatting should die down. You can also try letting them out together for a brief period of time, again extending it as the behavior improves.
I can't guarantee this will work with Bully Cat and Shy Cat but reintroductions often do help so you might give it a try.
Here again is our article on introducing cats: How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Here are two articles that describe reintroduction methods: Think Like a Cat:Reintroduction Method | Pam Johnson-Bennett Aggression Between Cats in Your Household
Bringing in a professional cat behaviorist is a terrific idea. I'm a bit skeptical of the ones who claim to know what a cat is thinking or feeling but it can be invaluable to have a professional on site who can watch the dynamic between cats and evaluate their environment. They'll be able to provide you with a personalized plan for handling the hostility between Shy Cat and Bully Cat.
Good luck! Please keep us updated!