We just adopted a new cat on Wednesday, and as the title states, his attitude seems to have changed which has me concerned.
For a bit of information regarding Wonton (approx 1 years old), we adopted him from a shelter 9 hours away so had a bit of a road trip together. He was INCREDIBLY affectionate and outgoing at the shelter as well as the drive home. He was so incredibly calm the whole drive which was shocking, and did amazingly well. When we brought him home, we separated him from our other cat (2.5 year old female cat). We let them see each other a bit and he was at that point even very chill, and didn't mind her at all. We kept them seperated for the following days, doing the steps like swapping scents, then seeing each other a bit with positive association (treats, etc.) As of last night they've had time out together while supervised, and it's going surprisingly well. Gnocchi, my resident cat, is very interested in him although a bit nervous, and unfortunately did swat a few times originally. I think that is what caused his anxiety unfortunately, and I'm really scared he won't bounce back. Although he was so calm and doing so well the first couple days, now he seems shy. He still likes to come out into the main room where she is to lay down, and he is eating and using the litter box perfectly fine, and loves to play! but he seems more hesitant about my partner and I which is odd since he was so outgoing before... His tail is down most the time, and he goes from room to room pacing (but he doesn't hide under the bed or couch at all, always in plain sight just on the floor..) when they interact now, they bump noses and he never reacts poorly (she doesn't swat very much in those circumstances now and is much calmer about his presence.) I had read that its good for my current cat to show a bit of dominance without hurting him, (which she did with a few, non violent swats), but I'm really concerned that traumatized him. I am also wondering whether this has to do with the fact that he has not been neutered yet. He wasn't able to due to covid, but we have an appointed booked for mid June!
Anyways, sorry this post is a bit of a jumbled mess. I'm probably overreacting at this point, as they are doing really well compared to before, but I'm scared my resident cat traumatized him or something.. just because of his behaviour changing so much. If you have any insight I'd really appreciate it right now!!
(He is the fluffy one in my photo!)
For a bit of information regarding Wonton (approx 1 years old), we adopted him from a shelter 9 hours away so had a bit of a road trip together. He was INCREDIBLY affectionate and outgoing at the shelter as well as the drive home. He was so incredibly calm the whole drive which was shocking, and did amazingly well. When we brought him home, we separated him from our other cat (2.5 year old female cat). We let them see each other a bit and he was at that point even very chill, and didn't mind her at all. We kept them seperated for the following days, doing the steps like swapping scents, then seeing each other a bit with positive association (treats, etc.) As of last night they've had time out together while supervised, and it's going surprisingly well. Gnocchi, my resident cat, is very interested in him although a bit nervous, and unfortunately did swat a few times originally. I think that is what caused his anxiety unfortunately, and I'm really scared he won't bounce back. Although he was so calm and doing so well the first couple days, now he seems shy. He still likes to come out into the main room where she is to lay down, and he is eating and using the litter box perfectly fine, and loves to play! but he seems more hesitant about my partner and I which is odd since he was so outgoing before... His tail is down most the time, and he goes from room to room pacing (but he doesn't hide under the bed or couch at all, always in plain sight just on the floor..) when they interact now, they bump noses and he never reacts poorly (she doesn't swat very much in those circumstances now and is much calmer about his presence.) I had read that its good for my current cat to show a bit of dominance without hurting him, (which she did with a few, non violent swats), but I'm really concerned that traumatized him. I am also wondering whether this has to do with the fact that he has not been neutered yet. He wasn't able to due to covid, but we have an appointed booked for mid June!
Anyways, sorry this post is a bit of a jumbled mess. I'm probably overreacting at this point, as they are doing really well compared to before, but I'm scared my resident cat traumatized him or something.. just because of his behaviour changing so much. If you have any insight I'd really appreciate it right now!!
(He is the fluffy one in my photo!)
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