One for the blind-cat experienced owners or cat behaviourists among you
Hi all,
I have 4 rescued girls. The first three I have very successfully integrated (the second rescue is blind, but very happy and confident).
About 5 weeks ago, I adopted a new 4 month old blind kitten ("Chablis"). She is very sweet natured and sociable, but despite time and the usual slow introduction procedures (over the first 2.5 weeks), I can't get her to bond at all with the other three (who are all around 2 years old).
Chablis is fine with me. But when she walks around the apartment, she is constantly growling (I mean constantly). And on encountering one of the others (usually my other blind girl, "Moet", who is desperate to make friends with her), she lashes out, screeches and hisses and spits. Even though Moet doesn't react, she continues to do it.
I've tried scent rubbing and have feliway plug-ins, but nothing I know of is working. Plus, Moet is slowly becoming less confident and wary, which I don't want!
Firstly - any ideas why Chablis is doing this - is it typical of blind kittens??
Secondly - any way to help with her becoming comfortable with the others?
Thank you!
Hi all,
I have 4 rescued girls. The first three I have very successfully integrated (the second rescue is blind, but very happy and confident).
About 5 weeks ago, I adopted a new 4 month old blind kitten ("Chablis"). She is very sweet natured and sociable, but despite time and the usual slow introduction procedures (over the first 2.5 weeks), I can't get her to bond at all with the other three (who are all around 2 years old).
Chablis is fine with me. But when she walks around the apartment, she is constantly growling (I mean constantly). And on encountering one of the others (usually my other blind girl, "Moet", who is desperate to make friends with her), she lashes out, screeches and hisses and spits. Even though Moet doesn't react, she continues to do it.
I've tried scent rubbing and have feliway plug-ins, but nothing I know of is working. Plus, Moet is slowly becoming less confident and wary, which I don't want!
Firstly - any ideas why Chablis is doing this - is it typical of blind kittens??
Secondly - any way to help with her becoming comfortable with the others?
Thank you!
I don't have any experience with introducing blind kitties! So hoping someone who does will see your thread. It sounds like you confined Chablis for 2 1/2 weeks? So, that was good. I imagine it will take a bit longer for blind kitties to adjust - double the time of cat's with vision, I would think. If Moet is becoming stressed, then I wonder if Chablis needs a bit more time in her "safe" room especially when you are not home supervising interactions. Maybe go back a step? And only allow a few interactions a day, little by little. I agree that the last thing you would want is for Moet to become uneasy and unsettled with this stressed little blind newcomer. I suspect this is quite normal behavior though. Even with sighted kitties - they will hiss/growl in the beginning period of meeting each other. I hope others will chime in here that have experience with introducing blind kitties to each other. :cross: 
