OK, what now?

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Guys, I need more advice!

Connor has now been in the house for 5 days(in a separate room). I have been doing the towel-rubbing daily.

Two days ago they managed to get into the same room together, Connor approached Ally, who screamed like she was being murdered, and TRIED to swat Connor. Connor TRIED to swat back (notice neither of them appears to have made contact - not exactly Ninja Cats are they???) Connor then went and hid under the bed in his room, and Ally hid behind the washing machine There does not seem to be any clear "dominant" cat emerging - they are both big scardey-cats

Today, whilst at home on sick leave *ahem* I put them on either side of my glass sliding door (between the games room and kitchen). I cracked it open a couple of inches and wedged it with a screwdriver. Then I fed them ham, inches apart, on either side of the door. They just ate the food and moved away - no swatting or hissing. In fact , NO reaction at all. They are totally ignoring each other.

When will I know the time is right to let them in the same room together??? I don't want to rush things, but sooner or later they will have to co-exist in this house!

Your expert advice is, as always, appreciated!

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by Ally Cat's Mommy
Guys, I need more advice!

Connor has now been in the house for 5 days(in a separate room). ... Today, whilst at home on sick leave *ahem* I put them on either side of my glass sliding door (between the games room and kitchen). I cracked it open a couple of inches and wedged it with a screwdriver. Then I fed them ham, inches apart, on either side of the door. They just ate the food and moved away - no swatting or hissing. In fact , NO reaction at all. They are totally ignoring each other.

When will I know the time is right to let them in the same room together??? I don't want to rush things, but sooner or later they will have to co-exist in this house!

Your expert advice is, as always, appreciated!

WOW! That is progress! No reaction at all! Good work! They aren't ignoring each other, even though it appears that way. Give it a few more days and then try a supervised visit - aim for 5-10 minutes, although it probably won't last that long. Mishi and Mitzi's first encounter was about 30 seconds - a very memorable 30 seconds .... Mitzi swished by Mishi giving him the best of all her voluptuous girliness ... he definitely noticed, and then she sashayed past again, turning to glare at him. What a gal!

Slowly increase the daily supervised visits. After they can tolerate each other for about an hour with no fur flying, then try some unsupervised visits. My first day at work leaving them alone together, I was a nervous wreck, but all was well. It does take time. I was amazed at how long it took my two, but it was worth taking the time to make the introductions. Now Mishi is totally in love with Mitzi; Mitzi just tolerates the big goon.

[stacwase]

I'm no cat expert - but I'd like to hear how it all turns out! Good luck and I'll be thinking about you!

[Craftlady]

Each introduction goes differently. It took 3 weeks with Thumper and Butterscotch. 2 weeks with Skinny. In the end you will know just how they are acting that being in the same room is ok. There is going to be lots of hissing, grawling, swatting (I love the swats in the air method LOL). They know each other exists. They can pick up your vibes, I would be near by but not in eye shot when they are exploring each other. If your tense they pick up on it, I found this out when we introduced Skinny to the gang. He was so small I thought Butterscotch and Thumper would sit on him. LOL I would have a water bottle handy but I would leave the room and let them explore. Everyone is getting along just fine.
Make sure you fuss over Ally, she is feeling like Conner is invading.

Gotta run, Skinny is playing to hard and jumping on Thumper of all places in the bath room. Gotta put my Ref outfit on. LOL

Good luck

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Thanks RedHedd. Good advice! BTW Mitzi sounds like a real TEASE!!

Thanks to stacwase and Craftlady too! (By the way Butterscotch is gorgeous!)

[jazzcat]

I think the key is patiences. I also think RedHedd gave some good advice.

Have you ever heard of the vanilla extract trick? I've read it works great. Just rub some on your hands and then rub each cat with your hands especially behind the ears. This is suppose to make both cats smell the same so they don't feel intimidated. I've never tried it but thought seriously about doing it with Scout and Ripley when they first met.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

MMMMMMmmmm - Valilla Extract - will it help them "Make Biscuits" LOL


Thanks - I'll try it.

I have now swopped them over - I have Ally on the Kitchen and scullery (where she usually sleeps), and Connor has the run of the rest of the house again. Tonight I'll put Connor back in HIS room and let Ally sleep where she wants (which will be in the bed with me.......shhhhh - don't tell daddy - he gets back tomorrow)

[jenluckenbach]

5 days and no killing, sounds good to me. (by the way, if they wanted to reach each other in the slapping fight, they would have. It's just posturing) I'd give them a supervised visit. Just be there, don't expect miracles, but give them some time together with you ever present. Report back and we will analyze the findings...(hee hee, how scientific)

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by Ally Cat's Mommy
Thanks RedHedd. Good advice! BTW Mitzi sounds like a real TEASE!!

LOL She sure is! When she pours on the "full Mitzi" no male cat would be safe.

[PayItForward]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
5 days and no killing, sounds good to me.

he he.

New cat introductions fun and tricky at the same time.

I agree with Jen, if they wanted to fight they would do.

When you let them have a supervised visit, try not to worry or interfer. (I made the first couple of introductions harder by doing both.)

The cats pick up on your mood, if you think they'll get on, it is more relaxing atmosphere.

Don't interfer, even if one cat is being mean to the other, they have to find a pecking order, better that they do that with supervision. Only worry if you see claws out and blood on the floor

Good Luck, waiting for next update.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Well, it's 12:35AM here, so I need to get some shut-eye, otherwise I am going to be totally useless at work tomorrow.

To end my evening on a positive note...Connor just spent the past 10 minutes laying in my lap getting a tummy rub! What a boy!!!!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

When I adopted Sky, he spent a week in my spare bedroom. I would let him out for brief periods only when I was there. The introductions went very smoothly and now all 3 of my other cats love him. I'm sure that in time both Ally and Connor will get along or at least learn to tolerate each other. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[Barbara]

This sounds good to me and I agree with everybody: if they wanted to fight they would. And of course they are not ignoring each other. they just play it cool

Good to hear that Connor already wants tummyrubs. He knows he has arrived at his furever place

[moosmom]

No bloodshed??? I'd say let them out while SUPERVISED. See what happens. You did the right thing by feeding them together. It's a pleasant experience that shows them everything is okay.

Keep on doing what you're doing cuz you're obviously doing something right! And keep us posted.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Five days??? Eddie is entering his fifth month here and we still have good days and bad days. Yesterday was a good day --- they sleep on the same bed, Edwina walked past Eddie without swatting him. Today isn't a good day. She started in on him at 5:00 this morning when they went downstairs with my husband for breakfast. I could hear her hissing and growling and him crying.

Odd thing though....when they came back upstairs he was following her -- even though she was still in a swatting mood!

Feeding together is a good idea. Even though it is a "dog thing" I always give Edwina her treats first.

I'll have to go back and look. I think it was at least a month before I stopped worry about bloodshed! Heck, it was more than five days before Eddie came out from under the furniture! So you are making great progress!