Set back introducing cats

[Moonlight_wolf]

Hey so my housemate and I moved in together a month ago. She has one cat (Ellie) and I have two cats, Mia (my floofy girl) and Lexa (my nervous orange girl).
We have the house split right now with a gate and we’ve been feeding them at the gate every feeding time, and at first Lexa was being the most difficult one because she was very hissy and nervous.

Mia has been pretty mellow about it all the whole time. They had even gotten to the point where Ellie and Mia could co-exist and lay near each other and be completely okay with each other.

But then a bat got in the house, and Mia slipped downstairs to chase it (Ellie was already downstairs chasing it). We didn’t think it was gonna be a problem for the cats and I honestly was just screaming and immobile.

And then something happened and I heard some loud angry noises from them. We immediately separated them. (We also got the bat out and got all the cats revaccinated for rabies)

But now ever since that incident whenever Mia sees Ellie she gets poofy and upset and Ellie hisses and was even growling at Mia this morning.

We put the sight barrier up and are going to restart the things but Mia has been going at the gate and lunging at it. But sometimes her ears are forward and she’s silent and I’m like “is she upset, playing or trying to hunt Ellie?”

And funnily enough now Lexa is the one that is doing the best about it all

But is it just something we need to give more time? Will Mia and Ellie overcome their differences? Strangely enough at the very beginning they were doing better than they are now.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Well, they have had an upset, and even more so due to the humans' very natural reaction to a bat in the house. However, give them a few days, and things may settle down. Try to be very relaxed about this, as they will pick up on your stress in a heartbeat. Ears forward are good. She's just calmly assessing the situation. I'd give them a few days, then we can reassess if necessary. Until then, keep doing what you are doing. And move the dishes a LITTLE farther away from each other, bringing them closer as the cats relax more.

 

[FeebysOwner]

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[chigusa]

You already received good advice.

My two cents: do not rush things. If you feel anxious, if they are still wary of each other, I'd keep them separated a few days more. They'll show you when they are back to friendly terms. They will get close to each other without you pushing it.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy suggests starting at the beginning if in the early stages of intros, there is a setback, so you're getting the best input. Hoping everyone chills and that you're all soon enjoying life together!