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We took in a stray about 5 weeks ago, got him neutered, vaccinated, tested for FIV/FeLV, etc. Once we knew he was healthy, we began to try to do a very slow, careful introduction to our resident cat, following the advice in several cat behavior books, trading scents between the cats, etc.
For the last week or so, we allow the cats to be together when we're keeping an eye on them (and giving lots of treats for calm behavior in each other's presence), but we're leaving for a 4 day camping trip soon. Our cat sitter is fully competent to feed, but not enough of a cat lover (and too busy) to sit and supervise cats who are getting to know each other. So the question is, do we allow both cats to have the run of the house together while we're gone? Or do we lock the new cat back in the (decent-sized) bathroom where he lived for several weeks, and where we still put him when we're out of the house and at night, and continue the getting-to-know-each-other process when we're back?
When the two cats are together, most of the time there's no drama at all. However, the resident cat is definitely still NOT happy about the new one's presence. They spend a lot of time having stare-down contests, just sitting and glaring at each other (5 year old female resident, 1 year old male new cat). She hisses at him a couple times a day, mostly when he gets too close to her, and she chases him occasionally (I always interrupt and separate them when chasing begins, so I don't know how long it would go on or if the aggression would escalate). That's about as bad as it gets.
The resident cat has never growled at or attempted to scratch or bite the new cat, and she has never puffed up her fur to "make herself big" in his presence. But one set of cat introduction guidelines we have says never to leave cats alone together unsipervised until they are both exhibiting 100% friendly behavior for a full week, and we're definitely not there yet.
Opinions? We'd really like this pair to learn to get along -- we lived for many years with a pair we introduced who despised each other their entire lives.
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Oh, a bit of additional information:
Because of the layout of our house, we really don't have another room that can be used to lock the new cat in, or good way to divide the house, other than keeping Mr. New in the bathroom.
I'm not comfortable using Feliway right now because I'm pregnant, and I've read that there's some debate about the safety of synthetic pheromones on developing fetuses. Doesn't seem worth taking the chance.
For the last week or so, we allow the cats to be together when we're keeping an eye on them (and giving lots of treats for calm behavior in each other's presence), but we're leaving for a 4 day camping trip soon. Our cat sitter is fully competent to feed, but not enough of a cat lover (and too busy) to sit and supervise cats who are getting to know each other. So the question is, do we allow both cats to have the run of the house together while we're gone? Or do we lock the new cat back in the (decent-sized) bathroom where he lived for several weeks, and where we still put him when we're out of the house and at night, and continue the getting-to-know-each-other process when we're back?
When the two cats are together, most of the time there's no drama at all. However, the resident cat is definitely still NOT happy about the new one's presence. They spend a lot of time having stare-down contests, just sitting and glaring at each other (5 year old female resident, 1 year old male new cat). She hisses at him a couple times a day, mostly when he gets too close to her, and she chases him occasionally (I always interrupt and separate them when chasing begins, so I don't know how long it would go on or if the aggression would escalate). That's about as bad as it gets.
The resident cat has never growled at or attempted to scratch or bite the new cat, and she has never puffed up her fur to "make herself big" in his presence. But one set of cat introduction guidelines we have says never to leave cats alone together unsipervised until they are both exhibiting 100% friendly behavior for a full week, and we're definitely not there yet.
Opinions? We'd really like this pair to learn to get along -- we lived for many years with a pair we introduced who despised each other their entire lives.
----
Oh, a bit of additional information:
Because of the layout of our house, we really don't have another room that can be used to lock the new cat in, or good way to divide the house, other than keeping Mr. New in the bathroom.
I'm not comfortable using Feliway right now because I'm pregnant, and I've read that there's some debate about the safety of synthetic pheromones on developing fetuses. Doesn't seem worth taking the chance.