Hello! I'm new here and need some advice.
We adopted our boy Pax when he was 8 weeks old 5 years ago. He's been great to us and we love him dearly. He's quirky and has his own style. He runs the show. When he wants to snuggle he snuggles when he doesn't he will be far away from us in his own area of the house. It's nice to know he's so independent yet still needs us and loves us back - on his terms.
My wife used to work from 4am to 1pm most days so the most he was home alone was only a few hours between our work schedules (8:30am to around 1:30pm - the perfect nap time). Recently, her shift has changed to normal hours getting in around 4:30pm. We figured we'd get him a friend to keep him company when we're away at work.
We went to the shelter and met a 3 year old all black male cat named Inky (We soon re-named him Cash like Johnny Cash the Man in Black). He was so easy going and laid back. We loved how he was happy to spend time with us and snuggle on our laps. The opposite of our cat it seemed. We thought they would get along and let Pax be the dominant cat without a problem.
After following all the rules in a few books we picked up we locked Cash in his own room in the office (he's currently napping in front of my monitor as I type). We rubbed each cat with a rag and swapped them so they could get each other's scent on them and eventually Pax started to become curious about Cash being in the office. A week later we opened the door a crack and a few times Pax hissed but that was about it. Eventually we let them meet and some slapping was happening but no hissing or spitting. We let them meet for 10 minutes a few times a day and then a little longer Soon enough Cash started to pick on Pax. He chases him all the time and Pax being older can't keep up so eventually Cash catches him and will start to hit him. Seems like typical cat behavior until tonight Pax was scratching on his post minding his own business when Cash came up and bit him on his side. He didn't break the skin - just got a mouth full of fur but we never have seen this kind of behavior before. We're very protective of Pax and we're pretty upset about this. Cash got sprayed with a water bottle and retreated but this was very disturbing. I don't know if these two will ever get along and it's been almost a month.
The shelter says if it continues for three months to bring Cash back but I love this little guy! Why can't they get along? Do you guys have any advice or are we stuck with them hating each other?
It's very depressing and really bums my wife and me out that they can't hangout together yet. We hate leaving Cash in the office all alone while we're in the living room or upstairs going to bed.
On a side note, both cats are caught up on their shots and are neutered. I thought that a female would have been a better pairing but the shelter said otherwise now I'm thinking I should have gone with my gut.
Do you guys have any advice? Everything I've read is about the OLDER cat picking on the NEW cat not the other way around!
We adopted our boy Pax when he was 8 weeks old 5 years ago. He's been great to us and we love him dearly. He's quirky and has his own style. He runs the show. When he wants to snuggle he snuggles when he doesn't he will be far away from us in his own area of the house. It's nice to know he's so independent yet still needs us and loves us back - on his terms.
My wife used to work from 4am to 1pm most days so the most he was home alone was only a few hours between our work schedules (8:30am to around 1:30pm - the perfect nap time). Recently, her shift has changed to normal hours getting in around 4:30pm. We figured we'd get him a friend to keep him company when we're away at work.
We went to the shelter and met a 3 year old all black male cat named Inky (We soon re-named him Cash like Johnny Cash the Man in Black). He was so easy going and laid back. We loved how he was happy to spend time with us and snuggle on our laps. The opposite of our cat it seemed. We thought they would get along and let Pax be the dominant cat without a problem.
After following all the rules in a few books we picked up we locked Cash in his own room in the office (he's currently napping in front of my monitor as I type). We rubbed each cat with a rag and swapped them so they could get each other's scent on them and eventually Pax started to become curious about Cash being in the office. A week later we opened the door a crack and a few times Pax hissed but that was about it. Eventually we let them meet and some slapping was happening but no hissing or spitting. We let them meet for 10 minutes a few times a day and then a little longer Soon enough Cash started to pick on Pax. He chases him all the time and Pax being older can't keep up so eventually Cash catches him and will start to hit him. Seems like typical cat behavior until tonight Pax was scratching on his post minding his own business when Cash came up and bit him on his side. He didn't break the skin - just got a mouth full of fur but we never have seen this kind of behavior before. We're very protective of Pax and we're pretty upset about this. Cash got sprayed with a water bottle and retreated but this was very disturbing. I don't know if these two will ever get along and it's been almost a month.
The shelter says if it continues for three months to bring Cash back but I love this little guy! Why can't they get along? Do you guys have any advice or are we stuck with them hating each other?
It's very depressing and really bums my wife and me out that they can't hangout together yet. We hate leaving Cash in the office all alone while we're in the living room or upstairs going to bed.
On a side note, both cats are caught up on their shots and are neutered. I thought that a female would have been a better pairing but the shelter said otherwise now I'm thinking I should have gone with my gut.
Do you guys have any advice? Everything I've read is about the OLDER cat picking on the NEW cat not the other way around!
