- Joined
- Jul 5, 2021
- Messages
- 19
- Purraise
- 23
Hi,
Firstly, sorry for the long post! Its my first time introducing a two cats and feeling like I need a little bit of direction!
I've read pretty much every other thread and advice on the intro process but I feel a little unsure about what to do next with my specific situation and wonder if anyone can offer any advice/insight.
So I have Zeke who is my resident cat. Hes a rescued street cat who is half blind, half deaf and FIV+. Ive recently adopted Aurora who is also a rescued street cat, and she has no tail as it was injures and amputated and she is FIV-. (Side note I did all the research on fiv+ and non fiv cats mixing and the only way to pass it on is if they seriously fight and Zeke bites Aurora hard).
Zeke is not aggressive, hes inquisitive but a little jumpy. Aurora is confident but doesnt seem overly agressive either.
So Aurora has her safe room and I started with the scent swapping. Neither of them where bothered and would happily rub against cloths with each others scents on. I moved on to letting them see each other through a cat and again fine, some hisses from Aurora but they will eat together either side of gate, come and go watching each other, lay down etc - no agressive or fearful behaviour.
So I decided to start letting them out together for short periods. First all was fine. They were intrigued by each other, but both happy to focus on other things as well. They are both quite playful and were playing with toys around each other. Then Zeke kept pouncing towards Aurora which would cause Aurora to hiss and swat a little. They then kept doing this, pouncing and chasing each other, they didnt seem aggressive but it did cause a lot of hissing and some wacking of each other.
So what I am wondering is should I just let them get on with this and is that ok or should I intervene? When they have done it I have intervened and when it keeps happening I put Aurora back in her room. I guess I am more anxious because of Zekes FIV if it does esclate into a fight theres more risk. Im also wondering if they might not be able to read each others body language as easily because of their special needs.
I am mindful that it has only been a few weeks and these introductions can take months but im wondering if should I still carry on letting them out together supervsied and let them do the pouncing and hissing or just go back to just the gate interactions? After they have pounced and chased each other when out, they are fine when they see each other at the gate again - they will go up and sniff close up and sit there again, Aurora will give the occasional hiss.
Any thoughts?
Firstly, sorry for the long post! Its my first time introducing a two cats and feeling like I need a little bit of direction!
I've read pretty much every other thread and advice on the intro process but I feel a little unsure about what to do next with my specific situation and wonder if anyone can offer any advice/insight.
So I have Zeke who is my resident cat. Hes a rescued street cat who is half blind, half deaf and FIV+. Ive recently adopted Aurora who is also a rescued street cat, and she has no tail as it was injures and amputated and she is FIV-. (Side note I did all the research on fiv+ and non fiv cats mixing and the only way to pass it on is if they seriously fight and Zeke bites Aurora hard).
Zeke is not aggressive, hes inquisitive but a little jumpy. Aurora is confident but doesnt seem overly agressive either.
So Aurora has her safe room and I started with the scent swapping. Neither of them where bothered and would happily rub against cloths with each others scents on. I moved on to letting them see each other through a cat and again fine, some hisses from Aurora but they will eat together either side of gate, come and go watching each other, lay down etc - no agressive or fearful behaviour.
So I decided to start letting them out together for short periods. First all was fine. They were intrigued by each other, but both happy to focus on other things as well. They are both quite playful and were playing with toys around each other. Then Zeke kept pouncing towards Aurora which would cause Aurora to hiss and swat a little. They then kept doing this, pouncing and chasing each other, they didnt seem aggressive but it did cause a lot of hissing and some wacking of each other.
So what I am wondering is should I just let them get on with this and is that ok or should I intervene? When they have done it I have intervened and when it keeps happening I put Aurora back in her room. I guess I am more anxious because of Zekes FIV if it does esclate into a fight theres more risk. Im also wondering if they might not be able to read each others body language as easily because of their special needs.
I am mindful that it has only been a few weeks and these introductions can take months but im wondering if should I still carry on letting them out together supervsied and let them do the pouncing and hissing or just go back to just the gate interactions? After they have pounced and chased each other when out, they are fine when they see each other at the gate again - they will go up and sniff close up and sit there again, Aurora will give the occasional hiss.
Any thoughts?