Help!

Hi. I just joined this forum because I really don't know what to do about my new cat!

I have had one resident cat for a little over 7 months, and I got her from the shelter. She was malnourished and shy, but I nursed her back to health, and she pretty much has been the center of my attention.

Yesterday, I got a new cat. He's 5 months old, and when I got him from the shelter, he was outgoing and bold. But, when I brought him home, my cat (Luna) wasn't hissing. I introduced them, and she seemed fine with the new cat (Sol) at the time. Then a few hours passed, and she started hissing. Now, she won't let him come out from underneath the bed to eat or drink. I don't know what to do, because there is no possibility of me separating them, and I really don't want to give one of them up. Advice?

Hi, and welcome to TCS 

I hate to break it to you, but the only way to achieve smooth introductions is to start with separation. Could one of them have the bedroom and the other have the living room? Even a bathroom can work ok for the early stages - it doesn't have to be a room you don't use, just a room the other cat doesn't go into.

Luna is basically feeling threatened by the Sol, and is feeling she has to guard her territory to stay safe. Sol is feeling threatened by Luna, and so is doing his best to hide from her - unfortunately, he's acting like prey in the process. This will only encourage Luna's defensive behaviour. If you don't separate them you could be letting yourself in for cat fights, peeing outside the box (and very possibly on your bed or sofa, as that's where your scent is strongest), and a whole host of other issues.

Integrating cats is rarely easy or quick, and there are no quick fixes. Taking extra time and care at this stage will always pay off in the long run. Patience and calmness is key. Feliway diffusers and Spirit Essences can help ease tensions along the way, but they're no substitute for the introduction process.
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Alright. So I separated them, and Luna refuses to be separated. She's pulling open doors that separate them, and placing herself beside his food and water dishes, thus not allowing Sol to eat or drink. I've tried positive interactions with the two of them, and thus far have reduced her "territory" to about a 5 foot radius around her. But she refuses to let him come near her and Sol has been starving and thirsty, so I have to go lock myself into a room with Luna to keep her away. I can't do this forever, and I don't know what to do!

It would really help to have a clearer idea of your setup. How is Luna opening the doors? I know cats cat learn how to operate door handles, but its unusual. Most well fitting/closing doors will keep most cats out. 

I absolutely agree that the situation can't  continue as it is. I'm sure there will be a way through - it might just take a little creative thinking.

The doors all open inwards, so she leaps up and latches onto it, and then her weight pulls the door open. The doors all lock from the inside, so I couldn't just lock her in there. Sol is so confident, happy, and funny when she's not terrorizing the poor thing, but he becomes frightened and starved when I do happen to let her out. It's not as though Sol isn't accepting of her, his tail is always up and bent slightly, and he's never aggressive towards Luna. I think it might be that Luna's so used to having it as her home that she's not ready to accept Sol as a family member rather than an intruder of her territory.

I think you've got it exactly right. Luna just doesn't want to share! Don't worry, this is quite normal at first. 

Given that Luna is one of the clever few who's worked out door handles, the next option would be to stack 2 baby gates on top of each other in the doorway OR fit a screen door with one baby gate behind it. Yes, its a pain, but its better than the craziness you're currently dealing with. The other option is to get a large dog crate (as big as possible) and keep Sol in there for the time being. Its far from ideal for this situation, but it would keep everyone safe. (The crate method is more normally used for taming ferals.)

Oh my gosh. I just came home from a vacation (I did in fact have a cat sitter), and found a hole in the screen door, and both cats roaming. Luna is slowly starting to wisen up to the fact that Sol's not going anywhere. She did scratch him (barely) when I was gone, but we're making significant progress! She's licked him 3 times already, and they're sitting close to each other now! I suppose I'm lucky that Sol absolutely adores her, so it's just a matter of letting them get acquainted now.
(The torbie cat on the left is Luna, and Sol is the beautiful white tom on the right.)

Thank you so much! I guess as time goes on I'll continue to post about their progress! You've been such a great help and I absolutely love TCS now! You've created a solution that I couldn't quite find anywhere else, and I'm forever grateful for that. [emoji]128570[/emoji]

They seem pretty chilled with each other. Licking is a HUGE deal - my two like each other, but they've never gone that far. Beautiful cats too, btw :heart3: Congratulations on one of the easiest introductions I've ever come across!

Thank you! Your advice really helped, because, if I hadn't stumbled upon TCS, Luna might have been re-homed. Luckily, I can keep them both now! B)

Maybe I spoke too soon. I now have to take Sol to the vet. Luna attacked him and gave him quite a few scratches in a circle around his eye. Poor guy is acting skittish and won't let anyone touch him, and he's the most loving, social cat I know!

Oh no! Poor Sol. Do you know what caused/triggered the attack? Mega vibes for Sol that he heals soon

Can I ask why the cat that was there first has to be (possibly) rehomed? 

Sadly, I am unable to give Sol up for adoption because of the fact that I signed a contract with his rescue foundation that I wouldn't give him up for anything. It's odd though because Sol and Luna will get along exceptionally well, then all of a sudden she'll lash out at him. Sadly, she keeps attacking his eye, and so I have to take him to the vet once more tomorrow.

Oh I understand, its just to bad the one you had longer is the one who ends up suffering. I hope it works out with time and they both end up on at least not fighting terms

How's Sol doing today? Have he and Luna settled down again?

Spats happen even with cats who are best friends. Try to pinpoint the trigger for Luna's attacks. Once you know the cause it'll be much easier to manage. Hang in there - things will get better

I did the thing that you're not supposed to do... I let them fight it out for the past few days! Believe it or not, it worked! I'll post some pictures here.
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I'm so jealous...

That pic of them eating is just so precious. Congratulations on their friendship.

Great update theycallmefive :nod: I LOVE those pics.

Do bear in mind that they were a fair way to accepting each other before you let them sort themselves out. If they hadn't already accepted each other at some level you'd have had a very different outcome

So happy for you, Sol and Luna :bigthumb:

Oh my gosh! Their relationship has changed so much! They're practically inseparable now. They say that cats don't meow at each other, but Sol meows at her constantly! She grooms him all the time like the germaphobe she is. I picked Luna up to go give her a good brushing, and Sol meowed and pawed at my legs until I let her down! It's adorable, to say the least.

That is so cute! I love it when introductions turn out this well :nod: I wish my two were that close, but it doesn't seem likely Never mind, they're friends, and that's what matters!