Introducing a new cat - stressed!

roguebrogue

Thanks gingin, that's really reassured me.

Alice actually left the wardrobe and ate/used the litter tray this morning, then even came up on the bed with me for a few minutes. She's back in the wardrobe now but it's good progress I think!

bethie

it does take time, but it does get better.

i introduced an 18month?? old girl to a 8?? yr old male (indoor) about a year and a half ago.

he hadn't seen a cat in a few years, so was a bit shocked by his new arrival!!!

the female sauntered out, started hissing at him and at the dog, both of who just looked at her in amazement. the boy hissed for the first day (which was quite rare as in the 4 years previous I had only heard him hiss once!!!) and from then on, he hasn't hissed.

She was much hissier, but she is more high strung. (for example, a 40kg gsd visits.... the girl panics and runs upstairs, while the boy stays put, even with it barking and sqealing in his face!)

I made sure to feel them in seperate rooms for the first few days, have seperate litter trays, and i made sure to brush one straight after another, and even included the dog into the equation.

they now eat right next to each other, stand in line to use the 'prime' litter tray, and the girl is obsessed with scent rubbing the dog....

they aren't the biggest 'cuddlers' in the world (not even with me ) , but sometimes i capture them sitting next to each other - which is probably as good as it will get!

podperson

Bless, they are both gorgeous We introduced a kitten to our house cat and it was a good week before the older cat would stop hissing at the kitten and a few more weeks before they would lie together, play, etc. But they did get there so it just takes time. In the meantime maybe try and make sure Alice has some 'safe' spots she can go to where the kitten can't get, if she wants some peace and quiet - usually high up is good for them. And if she does comes to you then lots of fussing so she knows her mum still loves her

With the eye problem, mine tends to get slightly runny eyes sometimes and I just bathe with tepid water with a bit of salt in it. She might just be adjusting to the new fabrics/dusts etc in your house (sorry, not meaning that it's dusty!).

atrixblue.-MFR-.

my boy felix had his pelvis broken, resulted in him taking 6 month to heal up, but was never a jumping cat after. he would attemp things normally in range but often failed he ached most days and hurt himself after the attempts of out of his range, his hind was untouchable for humans too.

the advice youve been given is good fairplay. it will take time but they will get used to eachother, best thing to do is not let new puddy "claim" alice's throwns alice is going to show new puddy who's boss alot if you allow claiming of alices key throwns.

bethie

didnt see the part about a broken pelvis!

the female had been run over before i got her, and had a fractured pelvis.

I have strategicially placed chairs/tables around the house to enable her to get around. The first few days she tried to jump, and after falling a lot, now realises that short jumps are just as good as one big jump....

i've also started her on some joint supplements, as well as massaging and stretching her back legs. it has certainly made her more mobile...(to my annoyance....)

i also made sure to take her to the vet (while she was healthy) so they vets could get a 'benchmark' of her walk, so in the future she can be monitored if necessary.

Georgia_Pa

Nice to hear that your girl is starting to get back ot her old lovely self. And also that the new babe is settling in alright.

Just make sure you give alot of love and affection to both of them so they don't feel like they need to compete for your attention..And hopefully they will be getting close soon!

Good luck!

roguebrogue

Hello again all

Took kitty to the vets yesterday and she has conjunctivits, so I have some eye drops for her. Slightly annoyed as I rang the rescue yesterday before we went to the vets and they said that they had actually found some litter stuck in her eye on the saturday before they brought her to me, but didn't want to disappoint me by not bringing her. Would be nice if I'd been warned but hey ho not much can be done about that now.

Alice is completely fine with me now and it's getting used to Portia's smell. I can see her sniffing around and I always offer her my hand to sniff if I've been in the kitchen with Portia.

She's definitely getting curious as she's started venturing out of my room and along the corridor to the kitchen, but she doesn't get too far before she changes her mind and goes back )

rising_from_the_ashes

Great news rogue .... sounds like they're settling just fine - hope Portia's eye is on the mend (and I do agree the rescue should've mentioned it/given you some treatment if it was evident before you collected her).

Have you got insurance in place just in case future vet trips are needed?

roguebrogue

Yep, Alice is insured and I will shortly be getting Portia insured

roguebrogue

Hi guys, just after some more advice

I've started introducing them now, just by carrying one of them to the other room.

Anyway, Alice is coming out to the kitchen now and getting closer to Portia, but she kinda hides away and then once she get's close she starts hissing and growling at Portia. I've been shoo-ing her away (in a nice way!) but should I just let them get on with it?