- Joined
- Aug 22, 2016
- Messages
- 7
- Purraise
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I have a 10 year old cat (female, neutered) and as of two months ago a four month year old kitten (male) (a family member found it and couldn't keep it. Nobody wanted to take him so we did).
Knowing my cat will not be too happy about it I took things slow. Very slow. She didn't see him at all for the first week. We switched rooms often so they slept on the same chairs and cushions without realising it. Sometimes I'd take him out during meal times and they would eat together relativelly peacefully. A few times he tried playing with her and she would start hissing and swipe at him and at that I would put him in my room immediately. Everything continued as normal, they ate food and treats close to each other and a few time slept in the same room (no playing though, I wouldn't allow it cause she didn't want to play, only attack and hiss). But after she saw him play a little more actively she got spooked and attacked him twice, drawing blood once when I put my hand between them and once when my mom held him in her arms she attacked.
After that they didn't see each other for awhile and I got a baby gate. Now they see each other everyday, still eat together through the gate and treats as well. But when she sees him play or I pick him up or if he gets closer to the door she becomes quite aggresive, tail bushy, trying to swipe at him through the door. He shows her his belly and this confuses her a little but that's it.
I have to say we give a lot of attention to both of them. They are never alone in a room for more than a few hours each day, and she still has full access to all rooms in the apartment. But I don't want to keep them apart for the next ten years. Should I just let her attack the baby door or should I take him away as soon as she swipes? Any advice, am I doing sth wrong or what should I do next? It's been two months and I wonder how much slower could I take this.
Thanks!
Knowing my cat will not be too happy about it I took things slow. Very slow. She didn't see him at all for the first week. We switched rooms often so they slept on the same chairs and cushions without realising it. Sometimes I'd take him out during meal times and they would eat together relativelly peacefully. A few times he tried playing with her and she would start hissing and swipe at him and at that I would put him in my room immediately. Everything continued as normal, they ate food and treats close to each other and a few time slept in the same room (no playing though, I wouldn't allow it cause she didn't want to play, only attack and hiss). But after she saw him play a little more actively she got spooked and attacked him twice, drawing blood once when I put my hand between them and once when my mom held him in her arms she attacked.
After that they didn't see each other for awhile and I got a baby gate. Now they see each other everyday, still eat together through the gate and treats as well. But when she sees him play or I pick him up or if he gets closer to the door she becomes quite aggresive, tail bushy, trying to swipe at him through the door. He shows her his belly and this confuses her a little but that's it.
I have to say we give a lot of attention to both of them. They are never alone in a room for more than a few hours each day, and she still has full access to all rooms in the apartment. But I don't want to keep them apart for the next ten years. Should I just let her attack the baby door or should I take him away as soon as she swipes? Any advice, am I doing sth wrong or what should I do next? It's been two months and I wonder how much slower could I take this.
Thanks!
