Cat intro help!!

[Calr0007]

I took in a stray because she was just too sweet to live outside. My resident cat is a 7 year old 25 lb orange male. The stray was being fed on my glass patio for a few weeks before I took her in, resident cat was not phased by seeing her on the patio. Now the stray has been inside for almost 3 weeks, the last 2 she has been recovering from spay. I have kept them totally separate but she can’t live in there forever. I have been putting her in the bathroom for about 30 minutes a day so resident cat can go in her room and sniff, he seems completely unbothered by her smell. He smells under the door and doesn’t show an ounce of aggression. But today I put a screen door up so they could start smelling each other more and eventually seeing each other. Resident cat cries and scratches at the screen door, in my opinion aggressively trying to get into the room. I only had the door cracked and inch and I don’t think they could see each other. Based on the attached images (yes, he is in a shirt because he is much calmer with it on) do you think he’s being aggressive? I wish I could post the video. Looking for any help! I am desperate to make this work. I don’t want to have to find her a new home.

 

[FeebysOwner]

See if you can upload a video with these instructions -
How to upload a video | TheCatSite

 

[Kris107]

Try getting a baby gate (although, still be careful - they can clear a gate quick). Then open the door a bit so they can see each other. Have you read about how to do cat intros?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Since you haven't come back with a video, I'll just add to the above comment, by saying I am not sure those pictures are depicting a cat that wants to 'kill' another cat - it is more like he is very curious and being inquisitive, and isn't crazy about the door separation. I will also offer this -
How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite

 

[walli]

That was my thought too, My Joey is separated from my other 2 cats and he attacks the door!
going to get him on a harness to introduce slowly, but personal issues with my Dad has postponed it.

 

[Calr0007]

Try getting a baby gate (although, still be careful - they can clear a gate quick). Then open the door a bit so they can see each other. Have you read about how to do cat intros?

 

[Calr0007]

Try getting a baby gate (although, still be careful - they can clear a gate quick). Then open the door a bit so they can see each other. Have you read about how to do cat intros?

I have! I tried the baby gate and she cleared it landing in front of Marley setting us back because she scared the crap out of him. He attacked her and almost attached me. Since then, I have been trying to do everything the intro instructions say. Seperate rooms, scent swapping, feeding at door. He seems totally content with her smell. She even sticks her paws under the door and he doesn’t hiss. I put up the screen since that is more secure than the baby gate, I cracked it a hair and Marley just seems so anxious to bust through the screen. Not angry or puffing just anxious. I am afraid if he actually saw her, he would attack her. I will try cracking the door again today. I genuinely fear if I open it all the way and they see each other we will have to start over.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I have! I tried the baby gate and she cleared it landing in front of Marley setting us back because she scared the crap out of him. He attacked her and almost attached me...I put up the screen since that is more secure than the baby gate

I can't really tell what that screen is made of, but it doesn't sound like it works in the same concept as a baby gate. However, you can double tier baby gates, to see if that prevents either cats from getting over them. Or, you could DIY a blockade I have proposed to others. It is made from shelving that is generally available from home improvement stores. You set the shelving pieces on their sides, and hook them together with zip ties - it creates a 'folding door' so to speak. The shelving can be cut to be as tall as the entire door, disabling a cat from crawling over it. It can be affixed to each side of the door with Command Strips and some rope/cord, so you can easily undo the cord for access. Securing it to each side of the door also helps keep in it place if it is pushed on by one of the cats.
Here is a picture of an example of what I am talking about.

 

[Kris107]

The paws through... Maybe try that. Get a string or longer toy and see if you can't get them both to interact on their side of the barrier. See if you can get them to play, smell each other's paws, etc.

 

[Calr0007]

Since you haven't come back with a video, I'll just add to the above comment, by saying I am not sure those pictures are depicting a cat that wants to 'kill' another cat - it is more like he is very curious and being inquisitive, and isn't crazy about the door separation. I will also offer this -
How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite

I couldn’t figure out how to post the video with the formats provided

 

[Calr0007]

I couldn’t figure out how to post the video with the formats provided

Sorry I didn’t mean to post that, I downloaded Vimeo, videos coming.

 

[Calr0007]

Marley at Door with screen

 

[Calr0007]

Marley at screen and at door playing.

sorry for the technical difficulties, doing this from my phone is hard. Appreciate everyone’s advice and patience!!

 

[Calr0007]

I can't really tell what that screen is made of, but it doesn't sound like it works in the same concept as a baby gate. However, you can double tier baby gates, to see if that prevents either cats from getting over them. Or, you could DIY a blockade I have proposed to others. It is made from shelving that is generally available from home improvement stores. You set the shelving pieces on their sides, and hook them together with zip ties - it creates a 'folding door' so to speak. The shelving can be cut to be as tall as the entire door, disabling a cat from crawling over it. It can be affixed to each side of the door with Command Strips and some rope/cord, so you can easily undo the cord for access. Securing it to each side of the door also helps keep in it place if it is pushed on by one of the cats.
Here is a picture of an example of what I am talking about.
View attachment 487545

Thank you! The screen door is from Amazon, it’s super strong and thick and I think it will work great but I am afraid of Marley’s aggressiveness to try to get through is stressful to him. I know I am overthinking this but I want it to go well. Appreciate you!

 

[Calr0007]

Ok! Her paw has come out and he didn't seem to care. I still think it’s too early for them to see each other. Any thoughts on this interaction?

 

[FeebysOwner]

The screen door is from Amazon, it’s super strong and thick and I think it will work great but I am afraid of Marley’s aggressiveness to try to get through is stressful to him. I know I am overthinking this but I want it to go well... Ok! Her paw has come out and he didn't seem to care. I still think it’s too early for them to see each other. Any thoughts on this interaction?

Thanks for loading the videos!!! I didn't see much in the way of aggression in any of your videos. Scratching and crying at the screen is also not necessarily aggressive, but rather excited and inquisitive.

Do you think it is any less stressful to him with the door closed, knowing there is a new cat on the other side?

Of course, after getting through the introduction process to the point where they are supposed to see each other, you can't leave them alone there anyway. So, the only way to know what will happen is to try. Maybe the first time he will go crazy, maybe not. You can stop then, and try again later. It is possible that after a period of time, he will stop charging, if he in fact does it at all.

Maybe put the baby gate on Marley's side with the screen there too. If she does try to jump it, she will run into the screen, and if it is as strong as you say it is, it should stop her. Or, vice-versa, whichever way is the better way to stop her, and help stop him a bit if he does try to go through the screen.

 

[Calr0007]

Thanks for loading the videos!!! I didn't see much in the way of aggression in any of your videos. Scratching and crying at the screen is also not necessarily aggressive, but rather excited and inquisitive.

Do you think it is any less stressful to him with the door closed, knowing there is a new cat on the other side?

Of course, after getting through the introduction process to the point where they are supposed to see each other, you can't leave them alone there anyway. So, the only way to know what will happen is to try. Maybe the first time he will go crazy, maybe not. You can stop then, and try again later. It is possible that after a period of time, he will stop charging, if he in fact does it at all.

Maybe put the baby gate on Marley's side with the screen there too. If she does try to jump it, she will run into the screen, and if it is as strong as you say it is, it should stop her. Or, vice-versa, whichever way is the better way to stop her, and help stop him a bit if he does try to go through the screen.

I agree, both ways are stressful to him, he never liked a closed door so it’s probably not so much about her but access and her on top makes him more anxious. I think I’ll continue this play through the door for a few more days. She still has her surgical suit on from spay for a few more days anyway. Not that the suit matters but she might be more stressed about protecting herself while confined. Marley is used to his shirt “I call his jacket” but maybe moving forward with him I should leave it off. He just turns into a snuggle bug when it’s on like crawls in my lap, just totally calms him down except when at her door haha.

I love the idea of the gate on his side, that will stop him from getting so close to the screen and I don’t think she’s getting through it, it’s basically glued with the sticky strips and then tacks nailed into the door frame.

Thank you so much. Honestly just hearing someone else say they don’t think it’s so much aggressive as it is curious makes me feel a lot better. I will keep you posted!!
.

 

[Calr0007]

Thanks for loading the videos!!! I didn't see much in the way of aggression in any of your videos. Scratching and crying at the screen is also not necessarily aggressive, but rather excited and inquisitive.

Do you think it is any less stressful to him with the door closed, knowing there is a new cat on the other side?

Of course, after getting through the introduction process to the point where they are supposed to see each other, you can't leave them alone there anyway. So, the only way to know what will happen is to try. Maybe the first time he will go crazy, maybe not. You can stop then, and try again later. It is possible that after a period of time, he will stop charging, if he in fact does it at all.

Maybe put the baby gate on Marley's side with the screen there too. If she does try to jump it, she will run into the screen, and if it is as strong as you say it is, it should stop her. Or, vice-versa, whichever way is the better way to stop her, and help stop him a bit if he does try to go through the screen.

My mom agrees with you that I need to just open the door with screen and baby gate in place of course and walk away. Just see what happens. Is there a time of day you think this would be best? I am winding down to go to bed now since they had me up most of last night. Is it best to try this at a certain time or whenever?? Thank you in advance!!!

 

[FeebysOwner]

My mom agrees with you that I need to just open the door with screen and baby gate in place of course and walk away. Just see what happens. Is there a time of day you think this would be best? I am winding down to go to bed now since they had me up most of last night. Is it best to try this at a certain time or whenever?? Thank you in advance!!!

No to the walking away part. You must see what happens first and monitor for a while with these initial tries. You can slowly move yourself slightly away, but not leave so you can't see what is going on. And, there is nothing wrong with waiting a couple of days for your other cat to recover from her spay surgery before you start if that makes you feel better about it.

The time of day is somewhat dependent on you and how you view the best times are for Marley. You probably can't gauge anything with the new cat, as you don't really have a true pattern established with her. Time wise, it may not really make a difference, but you are the best judge of that.

Have you named this girl, and I missed it?

 

[Calr0007]

No to the walking away part. You must see what happens first and monitor for a while with these initial tries. You can slowly move yourself slightly away, but not leave so you can't see what is going on. And, there is nothing wrong with waiting a couple of days for your other cat to recover from her spay surgery before you start if that makes you feel better about it.

The time of day is somewhat dependent on you and how you view the best times are for Marley. You probably can't gauge anything with the new cat, as you don't really have a true pattern established with her. Time wise, it may not really make a difference, but you are the best judge of that.

Have you named this girl, and I missed it?

I have a camera I have been watching her on so my mom meant put that out and walk to the other room so I am close but not hovering over them. She thinks I am so anxious which is true and my energy will only stress them out.

I have named the sweet angel Nelly. She is the most amazing cat I have ever encountered, she is so loving and sweet but also independent and confident. Marley is an incredibly clingy anxious cat who is obsessed with me, has to be on me 24/7 follows me to the shower, bathroom, wherever, I am all he knows since he was found at 7 weeks. They both like to curl in my lap so that will be interesting to navigate.

Nelly is on day 12 from her spay so she is pretty much back to normal but waiting on one last suture to dissolve so I can take her suit off. I decided tonight is not the night, I think when I get home from work tomorrow will be a good time.

The only bad thing about her is she has clawed every corner of the room and ripped up the carpet. I have a scratch post and a scratch pad but I think she wants out so that’s where the corners of the room are coming from so the sooner she is free the better! Any suggestions on stopping that? It’s the least of my worries really. Carpet can be replaced!

I really forgot this is so hard but I really want it to work.