Reintroducing cats after moving

[chetworld]

As the titles states, I've just moved back home. I have three cats, and I attempted to move them in increments. Cupid (3yo male) has been living with my mom for weeks now (he was moved early to help with a mouse problem.) He's adjusted well to the home and it's doing fine.

Spider (2yo female) was moved a little less than a week ago. She's scared of dogs which was my biggest concern; as my mom has two large dogs. But a baby gate keeps them separated from the living room and upstairs. She fears the dogs but has seemed to calm down a bit and tolerate their presence since they can't get to her. She hissed at Cupid on her first day here, but they've adjusted and tolerate each other now.

Lastly, there's Lemon (5yo male). He has stayed with me in my apartment so I wouldn't be all alone after the breakup, and because he is the most difficult to move. He's a very high strung anxious cats who absolutely despises my moms house after a traumatic incident here. (The incident being harassed by an extremely aggresive cat while he was in a kennel. He wasn't harmed physically, but it mentally scarred the poor guy. That other cat is long gone.) Ever since this event he has been extremely anxious and uncomfortable in this home. I feel terrible bringing him back here but I have no where else to go, and I refuse to rehome my soul cat if I can help it. He was transported here tonight. I have shut him in my soon to be bedroom with food, water and litter.

This is where my issue started, though. Spider heard him and went to sniff him beneath the door- which I expected. What I did NOT expect was for her to instantly hiss and growl with extreme aggression! It wasn't even a little warning hiss like she did with cupid, it was an all out "i hate you" scream. I blocked the door with an extra mattress so there's no way for her to harass Lemon when he's in there. I knew I'd have to reintroduce them but im at a loss. Back at my apartment, Lemon and Spider were very bonded. They cuddled constantly and played, it was sweet. But now I fear they'll tear each other's heads off.

I don't really have another room to close Spider in, and Lemon hates being cooped up in one place for too long. Can I get some advice on how to properly reintroduce them? Cupid was always their middle man, and he is a very submissive cat. But Lemon and Spider both have dominant personalities. I fear by bringing Spider here first, she now believes this is her territory and Lemon is encroaching on it. What do I do?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Am I to understand that Spider and Cupid have an area where they are separated from the dogs, and that they seem to be doing pretty well together? And, that Lemon can be kept separately from 'their area', in your room? If so, I am not sure why you feel the need to have another room for Spider, and since you don't, you'll have to deal with the current set up. And, Lemon, should be kept confined to a single room for a while anyway. Let Lemon get used to his new home in your room at this time, despite your concern that he might feel cooped up.

If I understand the set up correctly, you have the ability to use a gate to your room, so that when the time comes, Spider and Cupid can see Lemon and vice versa, but still enable Spider and Cupid to remain separated from the dogs? That being the case, treat this like a new introduction. After Lemon has gotten comfortable in his safe zone room, you can set up the gate at the door, and allow S & C to see L and vice versa through the gate. When that arrangement seems to have settled everyone down seeing each other, and it comes time for site swapping, it might mean 'sneaking' Lemon into a bathroom while you get the other two in his room, and then opening the bathroom door so he can roam their area without them being there. Since they all have lived together before, ideally this might be a shorter introduction process than some, but don't count on it, so remain patient. I have included TCS articles (see links below) to help you devise a plan around all of this.

I do have another question - was Spider placed in the room that Lemon is now occupying when she first came to the house? If she was, it might have a small part in her reacting to Lemon's scent - as that was her safe zone and it now has been taken over. That should pass as you move through the introduction process.

If there ever comes a time for introducing the cats to the dogs - likely a long time down the road - TCS has an article about that too!
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House - TheCatSite (this article says 'kitten' but applies to adult cats as well)
How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite

 

[chetworld]

Hi. Am I to understand that Spider and Cupid have an area where they are separated from the dogs, and that they seem to be doing pretty well together? And, that Lemon can be kept separately from 'their area', in your room? If so, I am not sure why you feel the need to have another room for Spider, and since you don't, you'll have to deal with the current set up. And, Lemon, should be kept confined to a single room for a while anyway. Let Lemon get used to his new home in your room at this time, despite your concern that he might feel cooped up.

If I understand the set up correctly, you have the ability to use a gate to your room, so that when the time comes, Spider and Cupid can see Lemon and vice versa, but still enable Spider and Cupid to remain separated from the dogs? That being the case, treat this like a new introduction. After Lemon has gotten comfortable in his safe zone room, you can set up the gate at the door, and allow S & C to see L and vice versa through the gate. When that arrangement seems to have settled everyone down seeing each other, and it comes time for site swapping, it might mean 'sneaking' Lemon into a bathroom while you get the other two in his room, and then opening the bathroom door so he can roam their area without them being there. Since they all have lived together before, ideally this might be a shorter introduction process than some, but don't count on it, so remain patient. I have included TCS articles (see links below) to help you devise a plan around all of this.

I do have another question - was Spider placed in the room that Lemon is now occupying when she first came to the house? If she was, it might have a small part in her reacting to Lemon's scent - as that was her safe zone and it now has been taken over. That should pass as you move through the introduction process.

If there ever comes a time for introducing the cats to the dogs - likely a long time down the road - TCS has an article about that too!
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House - TheCatSite (this article says 'kitten' but applies to adult cats as well)
How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite

Thank you! Spider and Cupid tolerate each others presence with a few hisses here and there, but they can be around each other- so yes; they're out in the house.

I'll let lemon adjust in the room for a few days. It was the same room I used to adjust Spider to the home too, so what you said makes sense.

I'm a bit unsure about using a gate between them because I don't have much to block the door with, and Spider is known for being feisty. Im hoping since L and S were bonded that they'll calm down and recognize each other after the anxiety has subsided. Regardless I'll swap them in a few days when Lemon has adjusted to the room by himself. Thank you for the advice!

 

[chetworld]

It has been a few days, and Lemon has been staying in my room. He's adjusted alright, he has all his needs cared for and everything. He's very antsy to leave the room and meows and scratches at the door constantly; which is driving me insane. I would put him in another room but my room is really the ONLY spot I know he won't accidentally be let out.

Today I decided to let lemon roam the house and put Spider in my room. Cupid stayed in my moms room. But; while i was at class, apparently Lemon accidentally got into my moms room. From what I heard, L and C almost got into a fight, but C ran off. After that L stayed in my moms room until I got home.

Lemon is now back in my room. Im so confused why moving Lemon has been so much harder than moving Spider! Spider and Cupid are no longer buddy-buddy, but they can tolerate each others existences. What's the deal with Lemon?

Im scared to introduce them because I fear a fight. I haven't allowed sniffing under the door yet, but i'm not blocking beneath my door anymore so they have the option to- I just don't know if they have or not (as I block it when I get home because I don't want to hear hissing when i'm in my room)

This worries me a lot because Cupid is generally a very sweet and docile cat, hence his name. Im doing everything I can do adjust them but having Lemon in my room isn't ideal and I would like for him to be able to roam the house freely. Is there anything i'm missing??

 

[chetworld]

Hi. Am I to understand that Spider and Cupid have an area where they are separated from the dogs, and that they seem to be doing pretty well together? And, that Lemon can be kept separately from 'their area', in your room? If so, I am not sure why you feel the need to have another room for Spider, and since you don't, you'll have to deal with the current set up. And, Lemon, should be kept confined to a single room for a while anyway. Let Lemon get used to his new home in your room at this time, despite your concern that he might feel cooped up.

If I understand the set up correctly, you have the ability to use a gate to your room, so that when the time comes, Spider and Cupid can see Lemon and vice versa, but still enable Spider and Cupid to remain separated from the dogs? That being the case, treat this like a new introduction. After Lemon has gotten comfortable in his safe zone room, you can set up the gate at the door, and allow S & C to see L and vice versa through the gate. When that arrangement seems to have settled everyone down seeing each other, and it comes time for site swapping, it might mean 'sneaking' Lemon into a bathroom while you get the other two in his room, and then opening the bathroom door so he can roam their area without them being there. Since they all have lived together before, ideally this might be a shorter introduction process than some, but don't count on it, so remain patient. I have included TCS articles (see links below) to help you devise a plan around all of this.

I do have another question - was Spider placed in the room that Lemon is now occupying when she first came to the house? If she was, it might have a small part in her reacting to Lemon's scent - as that was her safe zone and it now has been taken over. That should pass as you move through the introduction process.

If there ever comes a time for introducing the cats to the dogs - likely a long time down the road - TCS has an article about that too!
9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment or House - TheCatSite (this article says 'kitten' but applies to adult cats as well)
How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite

hi, i apologize for the reply but would you be able to assist me with the info ive updated ?

 

[FeebysOwner]

I just think that all the cats are going through pretty much what would be considered normal for many cats. Everything in their lives has been disrupted and it is just going to take time for things to settle down. When a cat is accidentally allowed to escape from their safe room, it is not surprising that some kind of scuffle occurred. All you can do is what you did, and continue on with making an introduction plan based on the articles I shared with you.

If when you left for class, you had let Lemon roam, and that is how he got into your mom's room, try to be present for all of these site swap exchanges in the future. Usually at first when you site swap , it isn't done for hours at a time, and likely should be supervised.

I think you are OK, things don't always go smoothly, and you are dealing with 3 different cats at varying stages in terms of how this move has disrupted them. So, it is bound to be messy at times!!