- Joined
- Jan 31, 2020
- Messages
- 26
- Purraise
- 67
Hello all! I have a rather unique situation (maybe) that I cannot find much help with online. I have read countless articles and posts about how to introduce cats. However, I haven't found any that provide advice on introducing TWO new cats. And these two cats are at very different stages of comfort. Here is the situation:
I have lived with my cat for about 4 years now, she is a female and the only cat in the house. She's around 5 years old. My boyfriend just moved in with us, and he brought with him his two male cats, brothers, about 8 years old. I live in a townhouse so space is limited and the two males are separated into the extra bedroom. One of these males is curious and ready to come out and wants to meet my female (she does not want to meet him). The other male will not come out from under the bed for more than a minute at a time. He does not feel safe enough yet out from under the bed to eat, drink, or use the bathroom either. So that has all been going on under the bed.
My cat, who I have never heard hiss before, growls and hisses at the door where they are. It is made worse since the scent from behind the door is mostly urine (I'm doing my best to clean it up) so she gets very territorial.
Anyway, my main question is, how do I start the introduction process with one cat (switching rooms and all that for scent sharing) when the other cat will not get out from under the bed? Are there other options that would work instead? And when should I begin the process of introducing the one who is ready? My cat is still showing signs of aggression and I'm not sure how to make her comfortable enough to stop.
Any advice will be helpful, they are all breaking my heart.
I have lived with my cat for about 4 years now, she is a female and the only cat in the house. She's around 5 years old. My boyfriend just moved in with us, and he brought with him his two male cats, brothers, about 8 years old. I live in a townhouse so space is limited and the two males are separated into the extra bedroom. One of these males is curious and ready to come out and wants to meet my female (she does not want to meet him). The other male will not come out from under the bed for more than a minute at a time. He does not feel safe enough yet out from under the bed to eat, drink, or use the bathroom either. So that has all been going on under the bed.
My cat, who I have never heard hiss before, growls and hisses at the door where they are. It is made worse since the scent from behind the door is mostly urine (I'm doing my best to clean it up) so she gets very territorial.
Anyway, my main question is, how do I start the introduction process with one cat (switching rooms and all that for scent sharing) when the other cat will not get out from under the bed? Are there other options that would work instead? And when should I begin the process of introducing the one who is ready? My cat is still showing signs of aggression and I'm not sure how to make her comfortable enough to stop.
Any advice will be helpful, they are all breaking my heart.