Help with cat behaviour during cat introductions!

CleoTheKitty

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Hello! Long time no see :blush:

So for almost 3 months (?) I’ve been trying to introduce my resident cat Cleo (1 year & 8 months) and my new cat Atlas (6 months) and I feel like I’ve gotten to a stage where they can be in the same room without any hissing or growling, although still some swatting.
I’m having difficulty knowing whether or not their behaviour is okay? Well especially from Cleo’s side, I don’t know if, or when, we should stop the introduction. I feel like they’re both kind of feeling each other out but I have no idea whether the interactions should be seen as positive or not.

I’m attaching two videos, please take a look at them and give me some insight or advice on what to do next please!! ❤
(Please ignore me and my sister chatting)
- YouTube
(This video is a short because youtube won’t let me upload it as a normal video 😢)
 

Kris107

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Smacking/batting is fine. The grey one looks like the instigator but the floofer doesn't look all that threatened or concerned. I'd say keep doing what you're doing - no need to go backwards.
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi. Do you also try playing with them, individually and together, just to see what would happen? I don't see anything terribly amiss in the videos, but I am curious if giving them treats non-stop is just diverting Atlas' attention and there would be more swatting/batting going on if not. Cleo doesn't look she(?) likes it, but she too has her attention being diverted by looking for more treats.

Atlas' swatting doesn't necessarily look mean-spirited, but it really doesn't look like play either. I presume you only keep them in the same room for brief periods of time, other than when you put them together and throw treats at them? Do they have cat trees or perches whereby they can cohabitate in a single room together without Atlas always approaching Cleo? Are either of them cuddlers or lap cats, where you could sit with them on the couch and see how they do with one on each side of you?

I guess what I am getting at is to have other types of together time besides giving them treats and see how they do.
 
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CleoTheKitty

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Hi. Do you also try playing with them, individually and together, just to see what would happen? I don't see anything terribly amiss in the videos, but I am curious if giving them treats non-stop is just diverting Atlas' attention and there would be more swatting/batting going on if not. Cleo doesn't look she(?) likes it, but she too has her attention being diverted by looking for more treats.

Atlas' swatting doesn't necessarily look mean-spirited, but it really doesn't look like play either. I presume you only keep them in the same room for brief periods of time, other than when you put them together and throw treats at them? Do they have cat trees or perches whereby they can cohabitate in a single room together without Atlas always approaching Cleo? Are either of them cuddlers or lap cats, where you could sit with them on the couch and see how they do with one on each side of you?

I guess what I am getting at is to have other types of together time besides giving them treats and see how they do.
Hello!
I haven’t played with them that much since whenever I do Atlas sometimes looses his attention on the toy and instead runs after Cleo, perhaps I just have to find a better toy to play with.
Cleo is not much for affection but Atlas can be held and whatnot, but most of the time he just wants to go towards her. But I could still try having him on my lap when he’s tired. 😅
Also yeah I forgot to mention Cleo’s the gray one and Atlas is the white one
 
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CleoTheKitty

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Smacking/batting is fine. The grey one looks like the instigator but the floofer doesn't look all that threatened or concerned. I'd say keep doing what you're doing - no need to go backwards.
Thanks! Hahaha I’m sitting here laughing at this reply 😆
 

Kris107

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Make sure you let Cleo (and Atlas) know that mean stuff isn't nice. By throwing treats after they rush each other, you could be promoting that behavior. I still think they need more well-supervised time together. Like FeebysOwner FeebysOwner said, maybe some play or something else.
 
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CleoTheKitty

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Make sure you let Cleo (and Atlas) know that mean stuff isn't nice. By throwing treats after they rush each other, you could be promoting that behavior. I still think they need more well-supervised time together. Like FeebysOwner FeebysOwner said, maybe some play or something else.
Yeah I've realized that :gaah:
How should I approach this situation instead? I'm still a beginner on reading cat's body language and knowing how to act in certain situations, could use some advice ❤
 

Kris107

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Hmm. You could try to put yourself between them. If mine get a little rowdy, I'll tell them in my "parent" voice to knock it off. Watch for a cat really trying to get away from the other. That's definitely when you should step in and make the aggressor quit it. If the cats keep coming back for more or just hang around, then they probably aren't threatened.
 
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CleoTheKitty

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Hmm. You could try to put yourself between them. If mine get a little rowdy, I'll tell them in my "parent" voice to knock it off. Watch for a cat really trying to get away from the other. That's definitely when you should step in and make the aggressor quit it. If the cats keep coming back for more or just hang around, then they probably aren't threatened.
Gotcha! I have been doing that sometimes where I get infront of Cleo and my sister leads Atlas elsewhere, but I’ll definitely be more aware from now on!
 
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CleoTheKitty

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Hmm. You could try to put yourself between them. If mine get a little rowdy, I'll tell them in my "parent" voice to knock it off. Watch for a cat really trying to get away from the other. That's definitely when you should step in and make the aggressor quit it. If the cats keep coming back for more or just hang around, then they probably aren't threatened.
Hello again!
We’ve been doing introductions regulary and whenever Cleo approaches and tries to swat him we tell her ”no” or ”stop” and it seems to be working! She’s still very unsure of him but it seems like she’s a tiiiiiny little more comfortable, sometimes (rarely) she just lays down and watches him while he plays and sometimes she plays with her toys too.
However, Atlas sometimes approaches her to play and they ”swat” eachother, not forcefully I don’t think, should I let this happen or stop them?
 

Kris107

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Swatting isn't necessarily bad. Are they lunging or jumping on each other? Just keep monitoring closely and make sure no one gets too rowdy.
 
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CleoTheKitty

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Swatting isn't necessarily bad. Are they lunging or jumping on each other? Just keep monitoring closely and make sure no one gets too rowdy.
No, he’s just kind of running up towards her but I’m scared he’ll start to chase her 😥
 

Kris107

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It's unlikely you'll have to be this vigilant forever. Just let them interact and help with rules.
 
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