The players:
Sophie: 1 1/2 years old, adopted at 9 weeks old
Roxy: 4 years old, adopted 4 months ago
The scene:
We have had our cats for 4 1/2 months, and although I am resigned to the fact they will never be cuddle buddies, I am tired of seeing our first resident cat (Sophie) confined to the bedroom and the bathroom all the time. She doesn't even find her own way down to the litter box because she is afraid to go down on her own. (We lead her down a few times a day, currently)
We have finally established a litter box and food area in the attic, and this at least allows for another option, but I'm thinking it's time to do something a bit more directive. My thought is to let them switch a couple of times a day but never actually be in the same area for a while (how long?) - one cat will be upstairs in the "kitty apartment" and one downstairs in the main living area.
When Roxy is not just around the corner Sophie gets very social, roams the house fully, asks to play, and eats immediately, even though we have also set up an extra food / water dish in "her" bedroom. So I know that she's not just being reclusive because she wants to be. Roxy gives Sophie the evil eye every time she comes into view, it seems, and Roxy will chase at full speed. She is also larger and older than Sophie and is the most muscular cat I have ever known. If I were Sophie I'd be spooked too. I have not yet seen them in a full fight, but the intention is clear. I don't know if it right, but I can't help intervening and giving Roxy a "time out" when she chases. She never bothers Sophie in her bed, and rarely in the bathroom.
I know that after four months some adjustment is still natural, but when do we call a halt and just do a full re-introduction? Does anybody have experience with this, and does it really make a difference? We did attempt to introduce them correctly the first time, but I have this feeling we missed a step.
We love both our kitties, and they are both sweet with us and (most) humans. As things are, Roxy thinks things are fine, but with Sophie at only 1 1/2 years old, I have a feeling there is more drama to come. I'll post the kitties' stats here so things are as clear as they can be. Sorry this is such a disjointed message. I just think there must be a better way.
Sophie: 1 1/2 years old, adopted at 9 weeks old
Roxy: 4 years old, adopted 4 months ago
The scene:
We have had our cats for 4 1/2 months, and although I am resigned to the fact they will never be cuddle buddies, I am tired of seeing our first resident cat (Sophie) confined to the bedroom and the bathroom all the time. She doesn't even find her own way down to the litter box because she is afraid to go down on her own. (We lead her down a few times a day, currently)
We have finally established a litter box and food area in the attic, and this at least allows for another option, but I'm thinking it's time to do something a bit more directive. My thought is to let them switch a couple of times a day but never actually be in the same area for a while (how long?) - one cat will be upstairs in the "kitty apartment" and one downstairs in the main living area.
When Roxy is not just around the corner Sophie gets very social, roams the house fully, asks to play, and eats immediately, even though we have also set up an extra food / water dish in "her" bedroom. So I know that she's not just being reclusive because she wants to be. Roxy gives Sophie the evil eye every time she comes into view, it seems, and Roxy will chase at full speed. She is also larger and older than Sophie and is the most muscular cat I have ever known. If I were Sophie I'd be spooked too. I have not yet seen them in a full fight, but the intention is clear. I don't know if it right, but I can't help intervening and giving Roxy a "time out" when she chases. She never bothers Sophie in her bed, and rarely in the bathroom.
I know that after four months some adjustment is still natural, but when do we call a halt and just do a full re-introduction? Does anybody have experience with this, and does it really make a difference? We did attempt to introduce them correctly the first time, but I have this feeling we missed a step.
We love both our kitties, and they are both sweet with us and (most) humans. As things are, Roxy thinks things are fine, but with Sophie at only 1 1/2 years old, I have a feeling there is more drama to come. I'll post the kitties' stats here so things are as clear as they can be. Sorry this is such a disjointed message. I just think there must be a better way.