Need advice about new cat

I have two cats (Puddin & Precious), both females, both spayed and both a little over two years old. I had Puddin for a year and a half, then took the Precious when my Mom passed away. I blew the first meeting, not having researched how it should have been handled. It was brief, less than 1 minute before my sister grabbed Precious and I grabbed Puddin. I then took my Precious back to Mom's house, next door but in the country. When I brought the Precious back about a month later I kept them totally separated. When Puddin is outside, I let Precious explore the house. I kept them separate for about 2 weeks, then started cracking the door. When they did see each other, they hissed, growled and tried to fight. After about 2 months, I bought the supplies and built a screen door to keep them separate, but so they could see each other. They have now been in the same house for about 4 months. Each cat is fully aware of the other and they have accidentally been in the same room on 3 occasions. The first 2 occasions, I was outside and when I came back in I found cat hair every where and the cats were apart but staring at each other. After about 10 minutes the fighting started (again, I assume) so I immediately separated them. I was in the house the 3rd time and the Precious chased Puddin so I immediately separated them. I hate seeing either of them stressed. There has been no blood shed, much to my relief. My question is, do I just need to let them together more and deal with the “fightingâ€? The living situation is OK, but I would very much like to be able to have them in the same room at the same time. Most days, weather permitting, Puddin loves going outside. Many days I take Precious down to Momâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s to let her spend time outside in familiar settings (I'm planning to move there within the next few months). Other days, I keep Precious here to spend special time with only her. Night time has always been special time with Puddin, even when she was the only one. Any advice that anyone could give to me would be greatly appreciated. Should you need any information Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve not included, let me know.

THANKS

Did you read this thread...it may have ideas you haven't considered:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...threadid=22138

I had not read that message, but have now. The new cat loves treats anytime, but my old cat wants no part of any sort of treat when the new cat is around, she leaves the room. It sounds like the hissing and such is going to be normal, so I assume I just need to let them settle things between themselves so long as neither one is being hurt physically, right?

If they have been together that long and all you have is hair and not blood- if they are not openly warring with each other, rolling together, rabbit kicking, or going airborne- then let them sort it out for themselves. You need them to get along, and for the most part, cats are social animals. That is why, if your cat gets outside by accident, and gets lost, your cat will meet with other outside cats and band together. It sounds like you just don't have enough space for these two? Do you have cat condos in the rooms where they can get up off the floor? Have you ever gone to www.katwallks.com and checked out his products? You need to allow your cats to work this out, and if there is no major vet bill yet, they will do so. Sometimes they don't because we, as concerned pet owners intervene and stop the process. Go invest in a few feliway comfort zone room diffusers and plug them in- find a fairly heavy dark blanket that isn't a king size, or a dark large beach towel. Leave the screen door opened just a crack "accidentally" then step back into the corner, slow your breathing, don't expect a war and let these cats figure out how to live together on their own. If it gets nasty, if they come together and roll then toss the blanket over them to startle them apart. I know one woman who recommends using a wooden kitchen chair and gently putting it over the fighting cats, without squashing them to break them apart and not get bit. I would also go to www.littlebigcat.com and read his excellent articles about cat introductions and order some bach flower remedies for both these critters-

Keep in mind that once you move, you will be back to square one with them and have to start all over. I tell anyone who is moving to a new location to be sure to invest in a blacklight and some enzyme cleaners. Before you even put your cats in the new location, shine that black light and see if there are any existing pet stains. You will be surprised! Treat any stains you find with the cleaner- Anti Icky Poo is a good one, and so is www.urine-off.com www.odordestroyer.com also has good products. The treat the area with feliway spray. After everything dries, then move your animals to the home-


Good luck!

THANK YOU very much. I think I do have plenty of room, but will checkout the cat walk website you suggested. I have a huge bay window and have stools in it where they can lay "up higher" and look out. My brother has been telling me I just need to let them work things out, but as you stated in your reply, I was concerned the stress on them would be too difficult. I LOVE them both very much and feel I have a strong bond with each of them. My Mom's cat has had her world turned upside down due to Mama's passing so quickly and my cat is very shy so I have probably been overly concerned about both to the point that I'm the problem instead of them.

Again, THANK YOU very much for your advice. Deep in my heart, I felt that was the thing to do, but was afraid of hurting them more emotionally --- guess the only one I've been hurting is me.

rlmo2

I just checked out he cat walks --- LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I've been kicking around ideas in my head about how to do such a thing, but had come up with nothing like those on the website. I will be ordering some of those --- what a clever idea.

THANKS again.
rlmo2