Introduced new cat to current cat

hala beirouty · May 20, 2013

Yeah that's exactly what happened with me and my original cat, though she's been returning to her "normal" self recently, she's been jumping up on the bed to wake me up like she always did before, maybe a bit less frequently but she's on her way

I just wanted to mention that there has been a slight change of behavior with the newcomer cat Leo. He's been here exactly two weeks and was always gentle with us and with Olive as well, he wouldn't dare touch her or try to attack her other than playfully. But today he has been showing signs of "attack mode", and would fluff his body up and walk with a dominant attitude towards Olive and he would swat his paws at her and she would lower herself to the ground with her ears back and hiss and growl at him such as in a defensive position and swat her paws back at him. This never happened before until now and it's already happened like 5 times from last night til this morning. I got worried and i instantly broke them up before there would be a fight of any sorts. Things were going perfectly fine so I'm confused as to why would this change of behavior be happening? Anybody know?

ladybug4746 · May 21, 2013

I am in a similar situation, but mine is taking a lot longer! I have a cat that is 6 1/2 years old name Chloe. She has never been around other cats and since i brought the new younger female kitty home named Willow about a year old, Chloe won't stop hissing and growling at her. I did the whole "slow introduction stages' with them. Tomorrow will make 1 month since I brought home Willow and a week and a half since I've had the door open (while we are home). Willow comes out and chloe hisses and willow goes back into the room. She's a persistent little bugger though and keeps coming out. I hope that Chloe can learn to accept her. I am lucky that they haven't gotten into any fights, chloe just hisses and growls at her, but has never "attacked her". Anyone know how long it typically takes before she will realize the newcomer isn't a threat? I try really hard to show them both love separately so she won't get jealous...

zweny · May 21, 2013

Not a good idea to introduce two cats so abruptly - especially is a small space. It's like having your boyfriend bringing home a new girlfriend and dumping her in your lap. Cats need to be introduced slowly. When I bring a new cat into my household, I put the new cat in a room with his bed, food, toys and keep the door closed. I visit kitty frequently. This might go on for a day or two. The cats can sniff and "paw" at each other from under the door. In time, the new kitty will take on the scent of the household. When you do decide to introduce all cats, go slowly. There will be hissing and growling. Be patient. Don't leave all cats alone and leave. Little by little, they will most likely become used to each other. They may never completely accept new kitty but on the other hand, they should at least tolerate each other versus sharing a bed and food together. Good luck.
Zweny

wonderlandcats · May 21, 2013

Hey there again. My kittens are doing famously now. They fight still but aren't as rough. They're grooming echother and cuddling a lot more. I'm glad I was one of the lucky ones.

Hala Beirouty and ladybug4746, I would try reintroducing your cats together. I haven't had personal experience but I have done research when I thought my cats were fighting. I read that sometimes the introduction period needs to be repeated. Hala Beirouty, how does your original cat act when the new one isn't around? Is she still acting strange or does she seem more relaxed? I hope this helps. Good luck! Keep us updated on your progress

tammat · May 21, 2013

Please keep posting Hala B. I've just bought home 2 kittens four days ago. It's all going ok but I am learning a lot from your thread. I can sympathise with you. There are so many emotions involved and you just want to get it right. Good luck. They are both gorgeous

tammat · May 21, 2013

Your kittens are adorable too wonderlandcats

katluver4life · May 21, 2013

Hala Beirouty said:
Yeah that's exactly what happened with me and my original cat, though she's been returning to her "normal" self recently, she's been jumping up on the bed to wake me up like she always did before, maybe a bit less frequently but she's on her way

I just wanted to mention that there has been a slight change of behavior with the newcomer cat Leo. He's been here exactly two weeks and was always gentle with us and with Olive as well, he wouldn't dare touch her or try to attack her other than playfully. But today he has been showing signs of "attack mode", and would fluff his body up and walk with a dominant attitude towards Olive and he would swat his paws at her and she would lower herself to the ground with her ears back and hiss and growl at him such as in a defensive position and swat her paws back at him. This never happened before until now and it's already happened like 5 times from last night til this morning. I got worried and i instantly broke them up before there would be a fight of any sorts. Things were going perfectly fine so I'm confused as to why would this change of behavior be happening? Anybody know?

Sounds like he is now comfortable enough to test his boundries with Olive and may be trying to move up as alfa cat. They will work it out. If there is no fur flying or actual "cat fights", leave them be. It has only been a bit over a week they have been together. Hissing and growling is normal cat communication. It warns the other, back off. Cats normally don't WANT to fight, hence the warnings. Waters will be tested when 2 or more cats start learning to live together. My female gets picked on by her brother (playfully) and goes into that same defensive position when they wrestle and WILL hiss and yell at him when he gets to rough.

hala beirouty · May 22, 2013

Katluver4life said:
Sounds like he is now comfortable enough to test his boundries with Olive and may be trying to move up as alfa cat. They will work it out. If there is no fur flying or actual "cat fights", leave them be. It has only been a bit over a week they have been together. Hissing and growling is normal cat communication. It warns the other, back off. Cats normally don't WANT to fight, hence the warnings. Waters will be tested when 2 or more cats start learning to live together. My female gets picked on by her brother (playfully) and goes into that same defensive position when they wrestle and WILL hiss and yell at him when he gets to rough.

Ahhh I see, yeah that does make a lot of sense, I think the fact that he is a male also causes that behavior? But he has stopped with it, so maybe he was just testing his luck like you said. They're okay now.

wonderlandcats said:
Hey there again. My kittens are doing famously now. They fight still but aren't as rough. They're grooming echother and cuddling a lot more. I'm glad I was one of the lucky ones.

Hala Beirouty and ladybug4746, I would try reintroducing your cats together. I haven't had personal experience but I have done research when I thought my cats were fighting. I read that sometimes the introduction period needs to be repeated. Hala Beirouty, how does your original cat act when the new one isn't around? Is she still acting strange or does she seem more relaxed? I hope this helps. Good luck! Keep us updated on your progress

Olive, my original cat, is getting more and more relaxed every day that passes. She does get those "strange mood" mood moments at some times but otherwise she's been quite herself. When Leo is in another room and I'm with her in the bedroom, she's completely relaxed and plays like there has been no changes. She still does play like crazy when is around but she looks at him for a second every couple of minutes as if to check if he's up to something or not haha, and when he joins in on the game she doesn't seem to mind and continues playing with me. Things are getting better and better with time though. I've thought about separating them again but once he stopped with his "dominant" attitude I figured it would be fine for now.

Tammat said:
Please keep posting Hala B. I've just bought home 2 kittens four days ago. It's all going ok but I am learning a lot from your thread. I can sympathise with you. There are so many emotions involved and you just want to get it right. Good luck. They are both gorgeous

There are definitely a LOT of emotions going on when you introduce a new cat to your current beloved one, I'll keep posting and updating on their behaviors and anything else that goes on, glad you could draw some help from this

hala beirouty · May 22, 2013

I also wanted to mention that I frequently feed them small treats together, so they will actually be right by each other as I give each one their treats (of course I'd give them both the same amount so as not to start some jealousy or anything like that), and they never had a problem sitting by each other as they waited for their treat. Along with playing with them together, I think these kinds of group activities do help in growing their bond together as well as with me.

dejolane · May 22, 2013

We had Bella first and when we got Thunder,( 6 weeks then ) Bella was always after Thunder. So one day we put Thunder in the carrier to see what Bella would do. .She attacked the carrier full force.Then one day we visited my sister in law and seperated the cats 1 upstairs and 1 downstairs. Then we decided to let them get together and see how it was going to be like. And it was rough for about 2 hours and then they got along. Fighting here & there now but sometimes they can be good friends.

tammat · May 23, 2013

Hala Beirouty said:
I just can't stop thinking about what I should do, but yeah I should stop worrying haha. Cats do things their own way in the their cat world I guess. However today they had a sweet and civil moment together where she decided to nap beside Leo.

Leo on the left, Olive on the right. As you can see, they have made my luggage bag their bed haha

2013-05-18 21.34.06 - Copy.jpg

hala beirouty

May 18, 2013

tammat · May 23, 2013

It's day 5 today since I bought my kittens home. Ruben slept on the bed with one of them today. It was the same scenario as your two cats in this photo. They were about the same distance apart and Ruben seemed the most uncomfortable at first like Olive. Cats are fascinating creatures. It's so interesting to watch how they work it all out between themselves. I hope it's getting better for you and your special girl.

dejolane · May 23, 2013

Occasionally Bella & Thunder fight. If Thunder stares at Bella to long Bella will attack. They could be the best of friends then ATTACK'' is on Bella's mind.

hala beirouty · May 23, 2013

Hearing all of your stories definitely help with my dealing with all of this

Cats really are amazing creatures, so smart as well, and watching them deal with each other is quite worrying yet exciting. Today they've been playfully attacking each other and it's an amusing sight to see. Olive seems to camouflage so well with our white tile floor that Leo sometimes can't seem to be aware of her, and she suddenly pounces up on him and he runs off at lightening speed to the complete opposite end of the room.

One thing I've also noticed is that Olive never used to have such a huge thirst drive before Leo came around. Leo loves to drink water, and I think seeing him drink so much water has made her more decisive to do the same and has been drinking water a lot more than she ever did. Thought it was something to point out! Things are progressing really well thankfully

tammat · May 23, 2013

I don't know how to do the quote thing? But when you mentioned the thirst for water I smiled. All three here are drinking like mad!! They take turns at the water bowls. It's as if it was the most delicious water they have ever tasted!!! I'm guessing its a scent thing?

hala beirouty · May 25, 2013

I have a question,

If Leo is challenging Olive for dominance in our house, will it affect OIive's behavior with me? I'm worried about that. For the past few days he's been pooping right outside his box and I can tell he's not sick, and I've read online that a cat will do that to mark his territory or dominance of some sorts among the area. Does anyone know for how long that will go on as well? It's getting quite annoying to find a large poop in the bathroom every time I go in to brush my teeth or shower. He also never even covered his poop when he did do it in the litter box before; Olive had her OCD and would cover it for him on her own after he was done. Anybody have any tips on this?

luvmy4 · May 25, 2013

Hala Beirouty said:
I have a question,

If Leo is challenging Olive for dominance in our house, will it affect OIive's behavior with me? I'm worried about that. For the past few days he's been pooping right outside his box and I can tell he's not sick, and I've read online that a cat will do that to mark his territory or dominance of some sorts among the area. Does anyone know for how long that will go on as well? It's getting quite annoying to find a large poop in the bathroom every time I go in to brush my teeth or shower. He also never even covered his poop when he did do it in the litter box before; Olive had her OCD and would cover it for him on her own after he was done. Anybody have any tips on this?

How many litter boxes do you have? It sounds like only one and that could cause problems. Some cats do not like to share or go after other cats have used the box.

katluver4life · May 25, 2013

I doubt Olive's relationship with you will change, and the hierarchy between them will probably go through frequent changes. As for his pooping outside the box..How many boxes do you have? Many cats need a separate box to poo in. As you now have 2 cats, ideally you should have 3 litter boxes.

<edit> Luvmy and I crossed posts...

hala beirouty · May 25, 2013

Well, there's actually two litter boxes. We would get them a third one but since we live in a studio there isn't much space to add it. When we first got him, I tried to encourage them to use their own boxes but of course I couldn't be watching them 24/7 and all that, but they never had a problem with sharing and didn't seem like they needed an extra one. I regularly clean it for them and renew the litter. He only had a problem when we first got him and he had diarrhea, he did it outside his box but then started using it as any cat would. This just started a few days ago and his diarrhea has ended so he's not sick. I just thought it was a weird and sudden behavior change.

katluver4life · May 25, 2013

Well any sudden behavior change is usually a signal to have a vet check him out. Other then that, I'd try and get a 3rd box in there somehow, just to see. How big are the boxes? Could he be going over the sides? Many members here and myself included use large sterilite storage containers as litter pans, as store pans are usually not big enough.

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