New cat introducing to adult cat

Hi ,
Just joined now as I feel I need moral support and advice . We have an adult cat Leo who is a great big friendly giant aged 11. We have just got a an 8 month old from a cat protection place last week . I have kept Charlie (new cat ) in the spare room for 1 week , I have been going in all the time to sit with him and he seems very friendly and affectionate . I've tried the introduction to leo by letting them see each through a crack in the door , bringing their bowls to the door etc . Charlie seems to be wanting out out the bedroom he is extremely active ! Tonight my plan was to bring Charlie into the lounge and put him in a dog cage and let leo see him but he slipped through my hands , scratched me to death and I've spent 2 hours trying to get him back into the room . Leo hissed and left . Charlie was hissing at me , scratching me . Eventually I had to throw a towel over him but was going mental ! I fed them both tuna and tried to show that Charlie is not a threat by opening the door , placing myself in between them both and trying to play with them both with the same toy. I'm not lying in the spare room with Charlie being very affectionate again and coming for attention . He has been in cat protection since a kitten . And he does seem a lovely cat and the lady who brought him to me praised him highly . Perhaps he felt threatened when Leo came on the scene . Now I'm going back a few steps keeping them separate . But Charlie seems very active .

What will I do now ? Please help

What you're describing is re-directed aggression.  Charlie couldn't get at Leo so he got you instead.  It's frightening--that happened to me with a cat we took in a couple of years ago.  Here's an article about it:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/re-directed-aggression-in-cats   

Going back to separation is the wise thing to do.  If Charlie is getting 'cabin fever' being in that room, maybe you can try room swapping.  Put Leo in another room and let Charlie run around the house for a little while.  

Here's another article on cat introductions that may give you some ideas:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

How is Charlie doing now?  

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply . So now , this lunch time when we were at home , Leo was asleep upstairs so I just the door on him and brought Charlie into the house . I think he definitely has cabin fever . I was calm and let him do his thing . Leo came to the door and managed to open it a jar , the hissed between the doors but eventually without any force Charlie eventually ran back to his room . Charlie does seem extremely scared at the slightest movement so I try to move as slowly as possible . So tonight - Leo was out and Charlie came out , leo came in and there was hissing but I was extremely calm and sat in between them with a toy and treats . Every time Leo didn't hiss I gave him a treat and praised him . Charlie is extremely boisterous and runs around everywhere . Leo is extremely placid , a huge gentle giant . Leo had enough and left the house .charlie seems he is dying to get out he is constantly at the window . I am praying this works out . I'd be devested is Leo gets so upset he leaves or Charlie is too much and I have to hand him back . He is only 8 months and been in a cat protection all his life .

Try to avoid any face to face meetings between Charlie and Leo for now. Lots of scent swapping and site swapping, but be sure Leo is shut away before letting Charlie loose and vice versa. Only when they're both totally ok with each other's scent should you start the visual meetings. Go slow, don't be impatient and be prepared to go back a few steps if necessary. It will also help if you drain Charlie's energy with play...really wear him out at least once a day, and make sure you've drained his energy before each face to face meeting attempt. It just sounds as though you've moved a bit faster than the cats can cope with.

Feliway diffusers at strategic points throughout the home may also help.

I'm going through a similar process myself...I've rescued a stray/semi feral who's 9 months to a year old and I have a 13 year old British Shorthair who's set in his ways and has never even met a non related cat!

It's sooo tempting to jump the gun, but in the long run its better to go a little slow than too fast.


Stick with it. If you persevere and stay patient the cats will learn to live together. Good luck