Hello, another new poster here. I've been reviewing all the past posts and replies re: aggression but I still need some help. I have a 9-year old tabby named Zap. I've had him for about four years, always indoors with occasional supervised sunning on the porch. He was very slow to trust me when I first got him, but now we are best buddies. He has slowed down some these past four years and is a bit overweight. He is neutered and he was front declawed (ugh!) by his previous owner.
Three weeks ago I adopted another cat. She ia 2-year old Tabby named Margie, recently spayed, and not declawed. She is very well-trained and very cuddly. I knew I had to introduce them slowly. I have a room that Zap was never interested in, just for her, with all the necessary amenities, and kept her closed in there for about a week. Slowly, I'd bring her out in the carrier where he could see her. There was hissing and growling on his part, but he was never really interested in getting close to her or curious about her space. After about a week of those visits, I let her out and there was a chase in short order. Poor Zap, who is not so spry, got chased and remained under the bed covers for many hours. I know she took swipes at him because there was his hair in her claws. Everyone told me this was normal and that it would take time. But there is still agression, lesser in intensity, but Zap ends up cowering. Now he hides under the covers all day. At night I have been keeping her behind closed doors so that he will get up and eat and use the litter box. She cries several times during the night and scratches on the vent, so my sleeping has been sporadic. I want to let her out at night but I am afraid he will never eat. I feel so bad for him since he doesn't have his claws, but I am very against getting her declawed. Will this ever work??? Will they ever be friends?? Should I keep her locked up day and night? Please advise. Thanks!
Three weeks ago I adopted another cat. She ia 2-year old Tabby named Margie, recently spayed, and not declawed. She is very well-trained and very cuddly. I knew I had to introduce them slowly. I have a room that Zap was never interested in, just for her, with all the necessary amenities, and kept her closed in there for about a week. Slowly, I'd bring her out in the carrier where he could see her. There was hissing and growling on his part, but he was never really interested in getting close to her or curious about her space. After about a week of those visits, I let her out and there was a chase in short order. Poor Zap, who is not so spry, got chased and remained under the bed covers for many hours. I know she took swipes at him because there was his hair in her claws. Everyone told me this was normal and that it would take time. But there is still agression, lesser in intensity, but Zap ends up cowering. Now he hides under the covers all day. At night I have been keeping her behind closed doors so that he will get up and eat and use the litter box. She cries several times during the night and scratches on the vent, so my sleeping has been sporadic. I want to let her out at night but I am afraid he will never eat. I feel so bad for him since he doesn't have his claws, but I am very against getting her declawed. Will this ever work??? Will they ever be friends?? Should I keep her locked up day and night? Please advise. Thanks!