This is great!it seems to be good for her
I think you're doing better than it feelsSometimes it feels like Twyla will never accept him, our progress is slooow.
Ummm, I'm thinking more squaredancing, round and round ...don't know if this is a step forward or a step back?
Maybe not a big deal - my boy hates/fears most people and hides. I personally don't find it a problem. Likely if you have someone who comes over regularly, and you both ignore him while that person is there, you could find that he may come out (continue to ignore him if you see a furry face peeking out somewhere ).I am not sure what to do about that. My friend came over yesterday and he hid from her the whole time.
I have not used the cat cage with different levels approach.Things really aren't getting better between the two of them. She still hisses and growls even through the gates and will go upstairs and growl at him through his closed door (she is doing it right now) and he just cries. I don't know what to do. Given this development should I back off on interaction in the communal space for a bit?
I have ordered a cat cage with levels with the intent of putting him in it (with litter box and food) in the living room so he can be safe but she can get used to being around him as I feel like they don't get enough contact. Has anyone used this approach and has it helped?
I was reluctant to take him in in the first place for this very reason, but of course I don't want to give him up now. Twyla is just so territorial.
It is all very upsetting and I don't know how to make it get better. I am making sure they both get lots of love and individual attention.
Thanks for your reply. To answer your questions - Twyla isn't always growling at Hooper, she usually hisses first and if he pushes it with her she will growl. She will go up to the high pitch every once in a while, and I usually take this as a signal to end things. But there are times she will just sit and watch him, or try and walk away, and sometimes even look for him if he gets out of her sight. She is quite comfortable sitting and watching him through the safety of a gate. She usually goes after him when he gets too close.I have not used the cat cage with different levels approach.
(Though I have used a cat carrier to introduce two cats, but these were only quick introductions between aunt's cat and mine...so entirely different than what your intentions and purpose are.
Also have used a dog crate, but only for puppy to cat intros. Again, entirely different than your situation.)
I think you are actually doing a fantastic job on the cat introductions.
I know it can be so upsetting and frustrating, because you feel that only little progress has been made...but if you look at it from the beginning of the introductions...then it is more like huge steps...forward.
There will be some setbacks, or what looks like setbacks, or pauses...but only because as Furballsmom , has mentioned...
it has to be at the pace of the slowest cat. And actually that pace can change, depending upon which cat takes the lead.
Can I ask just a few questions, to clarify some things you mentioned:
Is Twyla always growling at Hooper?
When you mentioned vocalization....is she also doing that 'low rumble, then high pitched' sort of vocalization, ...where you know she is getting super irritated?
You mentioned, that Twyla pounces on Hooper...but does Hooper ever pounce or fight back with Twyla?.
(I ask, because I find it strange that the younger one is not the pouncer?)
Sometimes people will get a third kitten, just to act as a buffer, to take the pressure off of a senior cat, who their new kitten is always trying to bother.
This doesn't seem to be the case here, though. Since you have only mentioned Twyla being vocal.
I also find your photos very helpful.
And if you can take videos of your own cats, and then watch them back....notice how each cat's body posture is....ears, fur, back, tail.
Since the little movements, will help you see how their 'fight or flight' response looks.
Lastly, if you could let each cat in their opposite rooms, ....multiple times...then this may get each cat super-accustomed to each other's scent.
Because Twyla is a senior, and you mentioned arthritis...does she take any supplements for it? Or any other meds?
If any cats are on medications, ...then this may also affect how another cat treats them...since they may smell different.