Hi, all.
I hope I won't be too repetitive with my issue, as I have read over the other threads dealing with cat introductions, all of which have already provided excellent advice.
Our cat, Sweety, is 13 years old and was a rescue kitten. She has always been an indoor cat and our move to a Queens apartment from Long Island 5 years ago was the first time she had gone through a relocation since we adopted her. My wife and I have some experience with house sitting, all of which involved taking care of pets, mostly cats.
Three months ago we left our apartment in New York to find some peace in other locations. Only this time we brought out cat, Sweety, with us. We drove from New York to a house we were renting in North Carolina, and stayed in a hotel in Virginia overnight along the way. We made Sweety comfortable, gave her some VetriScience Composure treats along the way to relax her. She handled the journey, the hotel stay, and the new house really well. We had worried because she is a rather skittish, nervous cat, but she blew all our expectations. We even bought her a cat tent so she could sit on the porch with us, and she was fine.
Now we have taken a long-term house sit in Florida, but this is a house with four cats already in place. We had expected some teething problems since this would be the first time Sweety has been introduced to other cats, and it hasn't been easy at all. However, while we had expected Sweety to shy away from the other cats, and possibly even spend her time hiding away, the absolute opposite has happened.
She has become aggressive in a way we have never experienced. She hisses and growls at them all and chases and swipes at them occasionally. Luckily we are able to give her a room of her own, which we shut her in with her litter and food at regular intervals. We let her out to mingle with the other cats in small increments and give her treats for positive reinforcement. The hissing and growling continues and there would be more chasing and attacking without our supervision and intervention. The other cats, used as they are to each other, are very calm, if a little wary, and at least two of them know to keep their distance.
I know that this will be a process, and that Sweety is very overwhelmed by this experience. Of course, that was expected. And we have already seen some small positive steps forward (which really amounts to her NOT hissing at one of the cats as they pass by) but I still would like a little advice on the path forward.
1) Is it better to allow the relationships and eventual hierarchy to run their course, even if that involves some aggression and fighting in the beginning?
2) Is there a point at which banishment to her room is a necessary or fruitful action when positive reinforcement has failed?
3) Are there any pointers you can give, or things we have missed that can be improved or highlighted? All advice is welcome.
Thank you.
I hope I won't be too repetitive with my issue, as I have read over the other threads dealing with cat introductions, all of which have already provided excellent advice.
Our cat, Sweety, is 13 years old and was a rescue kitten. She has always been an indoor cat and our move to a Queens apartment from Long Island 5 years ago was the first time she had gone through a relocation since we adopted her. My wife and I have some experience with house sitting, all of which involved taking care of pets, mostly cats.
Three months ago we left our apartment in New York to find some peace in other locations. Only this time we brought out cat, Sweety, with us. We drove from New York to a house we were renting in North Carolina, and stayed in a hotel in Virginia overnight along the way. We made Sweety comfortable, gave her some VetriScience Composure treats along the way to relax her. She handled the journey, the hotel stay, and the new house really well. We had worried because she is a rather skittish, nervous cat, but she blew all our expectations. We even bought her a cat tent so she could sit on the porch with us, and she was fine.
Now we have taken a long-term house sit in Florida, but this is a house with four cats already in place. We had expected some teething problems since this would be the first time Sweety has been introduced to other cats, and it hasn't been easy at all. However, while we had expected Sweety to shy away from the other cats, and possibly even spend her time hiding away, the absolute opposite has happened.
She has become aggressive in a way we have never experienced. She hisses and growls at them all and chases and swipes at them occasionally. Luckily we are able to give her a room of her own, which we shut her in with her litter and food at regular intervals. We let her out to mingle with the other cats in small increments and give her treats for positive reinforcement. The hissing and growling continues and there would be more chasing and attacking without our supervision and intervention. The other cats, used as they are to each other, are very calm, if a little wary, and at least two of them know to keep their distance.
I know that this will be a process, and that Sweety is very overwhelmed by this experience. Of course, that was expected. And we have already seen some small positive steps forward (which really amounts to her NOT hissing at one of the cats as they pass by) but I still would like a little advice on the path forward.
1) Is it better to allow the relationships and eventual hierarchy to run their course, even if that involves some aggression and fighting in the beginning?
2) Is there a point at which banishment to her room is a necessary or fruitful action when positive reinforcement has failed?
3) Are there any pointers you can give, or things we have missed that can be improved or highlighted? All advice is welcome.
Thank you.