We got our cat about a year ago from a local shelter, he was an adult when we got him, and he is now 4 years old. When we got him, I really wanted to get a buddy for him, but at the time we were in a one bedroom apt and there wasn't enough room for two. Now we have a townhouse and room for another kitty.
Long story short, I got a second adult male cat this week. We have 2 weeks to see if it will work out with the two, I was hesitant to take on another adult and male and worried that they would fight.
We picked up Felix (New Cat) Friday night and kept them in separate bedrooms last night. We let Carl (our cat) come in and sniff him while Felix was in his crate. There was some mutual hissing and then Carl just seemed bored and wandered off. This morning we let them in the room together, with my husband holding Felix and me holding Carl. They were pretty aggressive, no direct attack attempts, but lots of hissing and some swiping at each other. Felix spent the day in his room, and tonight we let him out on the porch where there is a sliding glass door so they can see each other. Again, some hissing when they were right up against the glass staring at each other, and lots of tail whipping. Carl was much more concerned than Felix--he just kind of laid around the porch.
We are trying to take it slow, let them get used to having each other in the same house, etc before we let them together without both being held.
So, finally, my question...am I doing this wrong? Eventually we will have to let them hang out together and see what happens, how long should I wait before I do that? If they don't get along right away, how long should I wait before I give up? I really like Felix alot, he is a cutie and really laid back, but I can't bring him in and have Carl turn into a different cat.
Long story short, I got a second adult male cat this week. We have 2 weeks to see if it will work out with the two, I was hesitant to take on another adult and male and worried that they would fight.
We picked up Felix (New Cat) Friday night and kept them in separate bedrooms last night. We let Carl (our cat) come in and sniff him while Felix was in his crate. There was some mutual hissing and then Carl just seemed bored and wandered off. This morning we let them in the room together, with my husband holding Felix and me holding Carl. They were pretty aggressive, no direct attack attempts, but lots of hissing and some swiping at each other. Felix spent the day in his room, and tonight we let him out on the porch where there is a sliding glass door so they can see each other. Again, some hissing when they were right up against the glass staring at each other, and lots of tail whipping. Carl was much more concerned than Felix--he just kind of laid around the porch.
We are trying to take it slow, let them get used to having each other in the same house, etc before we let them together without both being held.
So, finally, my question...am I doing this wrong? Eventually we will have to let them hang out together and see what happens, how long should I wait before I do that? If they don't get along right away, how long should I wait before I give up? I really like Felix alot, he is a cutie and really laid back, but I can't bring him in and have Carl turn into a different cat.