Advice Please

[myjett]

Hi, it has been a while since I've been on PT. I lost Harry the orangeman in December from FIP and we have been volunteering at the Richmond Animal League here. I found a cat that seemed to have a great attitude and I adopted her yesterday. I kept her separate from my cat Jett yesterday and I have let her roam today. The new kitty does not like her at all. She growls and hisses. Now mine is hissing too! I wonder if I should separate them again. I know the hissing and stuff is normal but I am concerned about them. Thanks for any words of wisdom!! I will put their pictures up soon.
Thanks, Jo... :confused: :eek:

[smokey the elder]

It's only been one day. I think you should allow much more isolation time (a week at least). Exchange bedding with each other's scents on it, so they get used to each other's scent. I think your new furry will adjust with time.

[myjett]

Thank you for your reply. I will definitely give them some more isolation time when we are not home. You are the first to reply! Here are some pics of my girls, Meaghan and Jett. Jett is the black kitty.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/eyeball03/000_0040.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/eyeball03/jettattack.jpg

[Court]

Time is all they will need. I'm sure in a couple weeks, they'll be best friends. We have 6, and it took alot of time for all the personalities to settle. Every now and then, there will be hissing but nothing serious. Congrats on your new kitty baby! Court

[Cat's Meowm]

When I first brought in Wilbur to Petey, they had to stay away 24-7 when I was not home. Even now they need baby-sat. Three years later. Petey loves me; Wibur loves to answer the door or window. My Petey flies from knocking; Wilbur can't wait to see who's there!

[Donnaj4962]

My Tabitha (17 years old) hissed at Sasha (now 2 years old) when they were first introduced when Sasha was a kitten. Now, they "tolerate" one another! Sasha still chases Tabitha through the house, and often "lies in wait" for Tabitha to appear! Poor Tabby, all she usually wants is to spend some time on Meowmie's lap! So she just jumps on my lap and gets comfortable and looks at Sasha like "hehehehe!" :rolleyes:

Give them some time, I am sure they will learn to love one another!

[catnapper]

One day is definately not enough time to acclimate them to each other. Each cat is different. When I introduce a foster, I know exactly how my guys react - Harry is first to say hello as soon as the newbie arrives. Then Allen stops in that afternoon. Flutter is interested but hisses up a storm for a few days. Abby might be comfortable around the newbie a week later, preferably two... unless its a female then she takes a month to agree the newbie isn't such a terrible cat. Pouncer? Forget it..... he'll still be hissing 6 months later :rolleyes: (ah, my little boy is just so sensitive!)

I tell you all that to let you know things take time and they all will acclimate to changes and new cats different than another cat would.

Keep them separated for a few days. Give them a blanket to sleep on tonight then switch blankets tomorrow so they'll smell each other. Let them at at each other under the door. Let them meet nose to nose just for a few moments then close the door again. Slowly let them meet in an open room for a few mintues and slowly build up the amount of time spent together. They shold never be left unsupervised until you are absolutely certain they are good together

[jenluckenbach]

Congratulations on your new addition. She is beautiful! :D

What you describribe is perfectly normal. At this time I would not allow them together without human supervision.

[Cat's Meowm]

Catnapper - you have this down to a science! Thanks for educating me!

[myjett]

Thanks to all! We are moving slowly, we keep them separated at night and when we are not home. Tomorrow will be one week. My black cat is now the one who is growling and hissing. We have had a few cat fights but no injuries. I tried the blankets, and my black cat Jett won't play at the door. She won't play unless the other one is no where in sight. Right now they are sleeping on two different places in the same room. Better than nothing I guess. ;) Will keep you updated.

Talk to you soon, Jo...

[Beauty17]

Your two cats are absolute beauties. I love them both. I am sure they will work things out between them with time. They have such expressive faces, besides just being beautifully shaped and, in the case of the new kitty, marked. They both look quite young, too, which will help in terms of their getting acclimated to one another. Thank you for sharing the photographs of them. They are truly special.

[DrNiblik]

What a pretty name is Meghan! Spelled almost like my Maghoí! When I brought her home, Dílle was not at all happy, but after a couple of days of getting accustomed to one another they got along fine

[tigress]

Hello everyone. I'm so happy I found this board.

I'm thinking of adopting another cat. There are so many who need good homes. I have a 4 year old Tabby who is my furbaby and I love him lots.
I saw a 14 week old beautiful female on the internet at one of my local shelters. I fell completely in love with her and I applied to adopt her. I am waiting to hear from the shelter.

I'm getting lots of suggestions here on how to introduce them to each other.
It's my concern and hope it goes well.

[TopCat3]

Both such beautiful cats with gorgeous faces and expressive eyes. Love the markings on the calico girlie.
I cannot add to the advice already given. It will take time. One day you will look down at your lap thinking there is only one cat there, and there will be two - that is what happened with us.
Lots of hissing and circling round each other at first, separation and gradual introduction, a bit of swatting, eventually a lightning quick nose-touch, then one day, there they were snoozing happily together on my lap. Now,they sleep together like the yin/yang sign or with their paws interlaced. :rolleyes: :p