Quote Originally Posted by jenluckenbach
How are the intos going???
I let Nakita and Phoenix meet, face to face with no barrier, on Saturday for the first time. Here's a summary. I'd love some feedback and anything I can do to get Nakita more comfortable with Phoenix. I've been told to just let them work it out but it's hard seeing Nakita so anxious every time she sees Phoenix.


- Since last Sunday, we have had meetings between Phoenix and Nakita upstairs with a mesh divider (plus we have Rescue Remedy and Feliway in the house)
- Phoenix (12 weeks old) would just want to play - Nakita would stay back and hiss once when they first met
- by Thursday they were eating on either side of the mesh screen - Nakita still very cautious of Phoenix
- Nakita has kept to her normal routine - doesn't look stressed at all, plays, eats, sleeps all the same on the main floor - even when she hears Phoenix meowing or playing upstairs


Saturday

- this morning we had the first face to face meeting with no barrier
- Nakita hissed or growled at Phoenix if she came to close, but Phoenix learned fast to give her a wide clearance
- Phoenix didn't seem to pay attention to Nakita, instead she played and explored the house while Nakita watched from the sidelines

- since this mornings meeting went so well, Phoenix came down at dinner time as well
-again, Phoenix almost ignored Nakita the whole time, giving her a wide clearance but the odd time would run past - then Nakita would hiss/growl but not move.
-Rob sat down next to Nakita on the floor, but at the same time Phoenix came running up on the other side of Rob
- not sure if Nakita's view was blocked and she couldn't keep an eye on Phoenix but Nakita flew down Rob's side and chased Phoenix (full menacing growl and jumped towards Phoenix but didn't make contact) approx. 3 metres out of the kitchen and then Nakita ran upstairs to hide under the bed
- they were separated for the night

Sunday

- Phoenix come down for most of the day
- of course, she just wants to play but Nakita always hissed/growled if she approached
- Nakita was on the end of the bed and Phoenix jumped at the head of the bed - Phoenix, again looking like she was playing in the sheets jumped towards Nakita and Nakita let out a huge hiss/growl but no attack
- Nakita again, retreated upstairs
- Phoenix didn't seem phased by this
- they were separated in the afternoon, and both went to sleep
- at dinner they were introduced again, this time Nakita was on top of the cat condo and Phoenix avoided her
- Phoenix fell asleep on the radiator, Nakita walked up to her cautiously but Phoenix woke up and both cats became tense, I separated them
- again, both cats were seperated for the night
- once separated, Nakita becomes her old self, playing, eating, purring

Any feedback guys? Should I just let them wonder about and figure things out for themselves? I'm not worried about Phoenix, she doesn't see to care since she just has one thing on her mind * Let's Play!* I'm just worried about Nakita since she will just stay in one corner and watch. I don't want her to be stuck in a corner and won't go eat or use the litter box when Phoenix is around.

I'm sure they will figure it out and it will take time - it's only been two days of free roaming - but it's so hard watching Nakita hiss/growl when I've never seen her do this in her life. I actually was emotional on Saturday because I brought Phoenix in to *help* Nakita, not make it worse. How long would you allow this to continue before becoming concerned?