I adopted a new cat yesterday from the local Humane Society. She's a sweet little dear; took to me very quickly. Very affectionate, cuddly, playful, purrs up a storm, a dream cat. I've had her in my spare bedroom for over 24 hrs now. It's all set up in there; new litterbox, plenty of food and fresh water, lots of safe cat toys, scratching post (she's using it lots!), window sill to sit and look out on, cozy cat beds, a nice couch to snuggle up on.
I have 4 other cats. One of them is almost 2 yrs old. I got this new one mostly as a buddy for him; he's young and rangy and loves to play and run (they're all strictly indoor cats). He's very sociable with my other cats; they all took to each other within 24 hrs. His name is Hobee.
I've never had any trouble introducing a new cat to the crew, not in all these past 17 yrs. I guess I've always been pretty lucky?
I put the new girl, named her Bitsy (she's very tiny, about 1-2 yrs old), in her carrier last night and let everyone sniff around. No hissing. Today I locked up my crew in the basement and let her roam the house to check things out; I've felt so bad leaving her locked in the bedroom; everytime I go in there she's sitting there looking at me, wanting to play.
After a few hours of letting her roam the house, I locked her back up and let me other cats up from the basement.
I decided to let her out of her room and see how things would go. Well Hobee walked past the open door and she made a bee-line for him.....I've never seen a cat run so fast, she chased him down the stairs at lightening speed and I quickly followed...............she followed him through the house and I found her standing about 8 inches away from him, growling and hissing and fur standing up. He's a sweet boy and I don't think he knew what to do. The last thing I need is a torn cornea so I scooped her up and took her back up to her bedroom...where she remains.
I go back to work tomorrow. I feel so awful leaving her locked up all day. Please reassure me that it's okay to do this, and it's a necessity :-)
I'm saddened because she was/is supposed to be play-pal for Hobee and she seems to detest him. He's twice her size and he could really hang a lickin' on her if she truly provoked him, I'm sure.
I don't want to traumatize my older cats. I know I have to do this right or I there could be a lasting impact between them all.
I did take a towel and I rubbed all of my 4 cats with it, then took it into her room and rubbed it on her, left it in there for her.
I just don't know how I'm going to do this. the though of locking her up all week breaks my heart.
It's one thing for newly introduced cats to hiss and growl but she seems to want to get up there in their faces and that's what concerns me. All of my cats are twice her size (she's just over 6 lbs). She could really have her clock cleaned if she doesn't watch it (and my other cats are very nice cats).
Any suggestions?
Should I put her in her carrier and leave it sitting down here in the living room while I'm present, just so they can all continue to sniff each other from the safety of the carrier?
Thanks
I have 4 other cats. One of them is almost 2 yrs old. I got this new one mostly as a buddy for him; he's young and rangy and loves to play and run (they're all strictly indoor cats). He's very sociable with my other cats; they all took to each other within 24 hrs. His name is Hobee.
I've never had any trouble introducing a new cat to the crew, not in all these past 17 yrs. I guess I've always been pretty lucky?
I put the new girl, named her Bitsy (she's very tiny, about 1-2 yrs old), in her carrier last night and let everyone sniff around. No hissing. Today I locked up my crew in the basement and let her roam the house to check things out; I've felt so bad leaving her locked in the bedroom; everytime I go in there she's sitting there looking at me, wanting to play.
After a few hours of letting her roam the house, I locked her back up and let me other cats up from the basement.
I decided to let her out of her room and see how things would go. Well Hobee walked past the open door and she made a bee-line for him.....I've never seen a cat run so fast, she chased him down the stairs at lightening speed and I quickly followed...............she followed him through the house and I found her standing about 8 inches away from him, growling and hissing and fur standing up. He's a sweet boy and I don't think he knew what to do. The last thing I need is a torn cornea so I scooped her up and took her back up to her bedroom...where she remains.
I go back to work tomorrow. I feel so awful leaving her locked up all day. Please reassure me that it's okay to do this, and it's a necessity :-)
I'm saddened because she was/is supposed to be play-pal for Hobee and she seems to detest him. He's twice her size and he could really hang a lickin' on her if she truly provoked him, I'm sure.
I don't want to traumatize my older cats. I know I have to do this right or I there could be a lasting impact between them all.
I did take a towel and I rubbed all of my 4 cats with it, then took it into her room and rubbed it on her, left it in there for her.
I just don't know how I'm going to do this. the though of locking her up all week breaks my heart.
It's one thing for newly introduced cats to hiss and growl but she seems to want to get up there in their faces and that's what concerns me. All of my cats are twice her size (she's just over 6 lbs). She could really have her clock cleaned if she doesn't watch it (and my other cats are very nice cats).
Any suggestions?
Should I put her in her carrier and leave it sitting down here in the living room while I'm present, just so they can all continue to sniff each other from the safety of the carrier?
Thanks
