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- Dec 28, 2019
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Hi there,
A week ago, my husband and I adopted our second cat from a local rescue. They allow a 2-3 week trial period to see if the cat is a good fit. We really want this to work out but aren’t sure if the new cat is a good match for our resident cat.
The new cat (NC) is about 4 years old and our resident cat (RC) is about 5. RC has been an only cat most of his life but is extremely social and playful. We have been taking introductions slow (NC in a separate room, scent swapping, site swapping, feeding across the door, etc.). The scent swapping and site swapping all went well (no hissing or hiding).
Within a few days, RC decided he needs to be best friends with NC. He meows and chirps outside the door and tries to hop over the baby gate that we set up a couple days ago, so we can leave the door open while we’re home.
NC is not pleased and growls and hisses whenever he sees RC. We have played with them on opposite sides of the gate, which seems to help a bit, but NC does not seem to want to leave his room. I think he’s probably afraid, but I’m also unsure of his history with other cats. He is pretty nice around humans, but a bit aloof (especially compared to our clingy RC!).
Should we continue leaving the door open with baby gate up while we’re home, even if there’s hissing or growling? Or should we move back to keeping it closed until he stops growling? It really only happens when he sees RC. RC is very talkative and NC doesn’t seem bothered by his meows when he can’t see him.
It’s so hard to take it slow when there’s a short trial period, and we can tell our cat really wants a playmate! We know it’s still early but want to make sure we’re giving them the best chance at getting along.
A week ago, my husband and I adopted our second cat from a local rescue. They allow a 2-3 week trial period to see if the cat is a good fit. We really want this to work out but aren’t sure if the new cat is a good match for our resident cat.
The new cat (NC) is about 4 years old and our resident cat (RC) is about 5. RC has been an only cat most of his life but is extremely social and playful. We have been taking introductions slow (NC in a separate room, scent swapping, site swapping, feeding across the door, etc.). The scent swapping and site swapping all went well (no hissing or hiding).
Within a few days, RC decided he needs to be best friends with NC. He meows and chirps outside the door and tries to hop over the baby gate that we set up a couple days ago, so we can leave the door open while we’re home.
NC is not pleased and growls and hisses whenever he sees RC. We have played with them on opposite sides of the gate, which seems to help a bit, but NC does not seem to want to leave his room. I think he’s probably afraid, but I’m also unsure of his history with other cats. He is pretty nice around humans, but a bit aloof (especially compared to our clingy RC!).
Should we continue leaving the door open with baby gate up while we’re home, even if there’s hissing or growling? Or should we move back to keeping it closed until he stops growling? It really only happens when he sees RC. RC is very talkative and NC doesn’t seem bothered by his meows when he can’t see him.
It’s so hard to take it slow when there’s a short trial period, and we can tell our cat really wants a playmate! We know it’s still early but want to make sure we’re giving them the best chance at getting along.
You want them to be good friends so taking your time is very important.
every time I think we see progress, something discouraging happens. I know two weeks is not a lot of time, but it’s hard to see him being so aggressive. We have been trying to go at his pace and take cues when he is ready to move to the next step, so I’m unsure if it’s still fear or if he really just doesn’t like other cats. Do you think the positive signs (eating together, wanting out of his safe room, etc.) indicate that we’re still moving in the right direction?
