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- Sep 7, 2019
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I am new to the forums but have been reading all of the articles and threads about cat introductions as I am now in that very position. I have an 11 year old resident female named Twyla that previously lived in a home with dogs, but not cats, she is very social with people and playful for her age. About a month ago a very skinny and skittish kitten showed up on my back porch and I was able to trap him last Sunday. I would like to keep him, he has a sweet and playful personality (he is no longer skinny or skittish ) He is currently set up in an upstairs bedroom and has adapted very well to human contact and has had an initial vet visit where they determined he is about 17 weeks old and healthy except for a mild case of lungworms, for which he is currently taking meds. So far there has been very little interaction between the two, she has spied him through a crack in the door once or twice and hissed, but has also eaten treats outside the door and is only curious about his scent on me or a sock. My questions are these:
1. I know getting them to eat on opposite sides of the door is a key element of training but this would require getting Twyla upstairs to eat on a regular basis, far away from her usual spot downstairs. She has some arthritis in her hips, and doesn't always want to go upstairs. There is no downstairs room that the kitten can be moved to. Would doing this once a day be enough? Or is there a workaround?
2. We are currently in the scent swapping phase, which is going pretty well. By next weekend I hope to start swapping territories, before moving on to baby gates. Kitten probably won't be neutered for at least three weeks. Should I hold off on direct interactions until he is fixed?
The last time I introduced two cats it was an absolute nightmare, but one of them had lifelong behavioral issues, and I didn't know all the tricks. Hoping to make it less stressful for everyone this time!
1. I know getting them to eat on opposite sides of the door is a key element of training but this would require getting Twyla upstairs to eat on a regular basis, far away from her usual spot downstairs. She has some arthritis in her hips, and doesn't always want to go upstairs. There is no downstairs room that the kitten can be moved to. Would doing this once a day be enough? Or is there a workaround?
2. We are currently in the scent swapping phase, which is going pretty well. By next weekend I hope to start swapping territories, before moving on to baby gates. Kitten probably won't be neutered for at least three weeks. Should I hold off on direct interactions until he is fixed?
The last time I introduced two cats it was an absolute nightmare, but one of them had lifelong behavioral issues, and I didn't know all the tricks. Hoping to make it less stressful for everyone this time!