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- Dec 4, 2019
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So I recently adopted a new cat.
My original cat (from this point called OG) I've had for 5 years now. She is 10 years old. Before I adopted her, she lived with one other cat who bullied her (hence being given up for adoption). She hasn't interacted with other cats in the 5 years I've had her. We got the new cat (NC) 2.5 weeks ago. She is 1 year old and had previously been with another cat without any problems, so we thought she would be a good fit.
We have kept them mostly separated all this time. Unfortunately early on, NC sneaked out of the room and surprised OC when she was eating, which freaked her out and she started hissing and chasing NC around the room aggressively. We were able to separate them and have been quite militant about keeping them separated and only letting them interact supervised through a barrier.
They've made tremendous progress. They are now able to eat peacefully on either side of the barrier. OC is no longer trying attack NC. NC did try to rush OC through the barrier a couple of times but lately, they just seem to hiss at each other through barrier if they get too close. Usually, the hissing happens after eating. NC sniffed OC's nose earlier today and then swatted her. In the evening, OC tried to approach NC this evening and NC hissed at her, and then OC hissed back.
I'm not sure how to proceed from here. How/when should I let them interact without the barrier? Also, we are going on vacation soon (they will be separated while we're gone), will being apart for a couple of weeks hinder all the progress they've made so far?
My original cat (from this point called OG) I've had for 5 years now. She is 10 years old. Before I adopted her, she lived with one other cat who bullied her (hence being given up for adoption). She hasn't interacted with other cats in the 5 years I've had her. We got the new cat (NC) 2.5 weeks ago. She is 1 year old and had previously been with another cat without any problems, so we thought she would be a good fit.
We have kept them mostly separated all this time. Unfortunately early on, NC sneaked out of the room and surprised OC when she was eating, which freaked her out and she started hissing and chasing NC around the room aggressively. We were able to separate them and have been quite militant about keeping them separated and only letting them interact supervised through a barrier.
They've made tremendous progress. They are now able to eat peacefully on either side of the barrier. OC is no longer trying attack NC. NC did try to rush OC through the barrier a couple of times but lately, they just seem to hiss at each other through barrier if they get too close. Usually, the hissing happens after eating. NC sniffed OC's nose earlier today and then swatted her. In the evening, OC tried to approach NC this evening and NC hissed at her, and then OC hissed back.
I'm not sure how to proceed from here. How/when should I let them interact without the barrier? Also, we are going on vacation soon (they will be separated while we're gone), will being apart for a couple of weeks hinder all the progress they've made so far?