Help! I'm new to the forum & need advice!
I read Hissy's article and we've also done a LOT of reading on the web about techniques to introduce cats, we've followed all the advice but our little family is in so much upheaval- I fear that we made a mistake by adopting Noche, a 3 yr old male. We have him separated in our guest bedroom w/ his own litter box and food dishes. We 'rotate' the cats to let Noche out...putting our other cat, Cassey in our bedroom to let Noche run around. They are used to each otherâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s smells now but it hasn't seemed to help. Cassey has been an only cat for the last 5 years and is used to having the run of the house...she wants (and needs) to be the dominant cat but Noche is a big male and in cat hierarchy would be the dominant one. She hisses and growls and retreats to the bedroom during any introduction attempt. Noche has taken to charging at her and relentlessly pursuing her regardless of her hisses and growls.
Another problem is that Noche is VERY vocal! He meows. Non-stop. We keep them separated but it's very hard to listen to his constant yowling. He even expressed his dismay by defecating on the floor the other day.
We just feel so bad for both our cats...they are both at wits end and they have us there as well.
Don't know what to do?! It's been 10 days. How long should we continue to keep them separated? Is it mean to lock Noche up? He has to stay in that bedroom at night and all day while we are at work. Is it damaging to Cassey to let him out and allow him to send her hiding?
Help! Any advice/experience that you could share would be much appreciated!!!
Thank you!
Karma
I read Hissy's article and we've also done a LOT of reading on the web about techniques to introduce cats, we've followed all the advice but our little family is in so much upheaval- I fear that we made a mistake by adopting Noche, a 3 yr old male. We have him separated in our guest bedroom w/ his own litter box and food dishes. We 'rotate' the cats to let Noche out...putting our other cat, Cassey in our bedroom to let Noche run around. They are used to each otherâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s smells now but it hasn't seemed to help. Cassey has been an only cat for the last 5 years and is used to having the run of the house...she wants (and needs) to be the dominant cat but Noche is a big male and in cat hierarchy would be the dominant one. She hisses and growls and retreats to the bedroom during any introduction attempt. Noche has taken to charging at her and relentlessly pursuing her regardless of her hisses and growls.
Another problem is that Noche is VERY vocal! He meows. Non-stop. We keep them separated but it's very hard to listen to his constant yowling. He even expressed his dismay by defecating on the floor the other day.
We just feel so bad for both our cats...they are both at wits end and they have us there as well.
Don't know what to do?! It's been 10 days. How long should we continue to keep them separated? Is it mean to lock Noche up? He has to stay in that bedroom at night and all day while we are at work. Is it damaging to Cassey to let him out and allow him to send her hiding?
Help! Any advice/experience that you could share would be much appreciated!!!
Thank you!
Karma