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- Jul 5, 2015
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Hi,
I adopted a shy five year old male cat who I named Yunis one month ago. He was found abandoned after his family had moved. He was originally placed in a shelter but couldn't handle the stress. He was then moved into a foster home and had been there for about a week when I adopted him. He is also front declawed (I don't understand how anyone can have a cat declawed).
The first week he was home, I kept him in his own bedroom (safe room). He seemed to get comfortable around me fairly quickly although he would still startle when hearing a loud noise and run behind the bed. The second week I did the scent swapping thing with him and the two resident cats Sandra and Basil (Sanra is 17 and Basil 12). The two resident cats don't seem to be interested. The third week, I would lock up the Sandra and Basil and let Yunis explore the house. He is very curious about exploring and doesn't hide when let out. This fourth week I have put up a gate and left the door open so they can see each other. I have played with them and given treats on opposite sides of the gate.
I have noticed more hissing and growling from the new cat Yunis. Him and Basil, who is also male, will sniff each other's noses against the gate, then Yunis will growl and slap the gate. Sandra and Yunis have hissed as well.
Yunis is very sweet with me and will purr and sleep with me on the bed.
My question is if I am doing this correctly? When should I start letting them meet without the gate for short periods of time. I am worried that Yunis will end up showing signs of aggression. Is it normal for the new cat to be hissing and growling more than the resident cats?
Any advice would greatly be appreciated.
I adopted a shy five year old male cat who I named Yunis one month ago. He was found abandoned after his family had moved. He was originally placed in a shelter but couldn't handle the stress. He was then moved into a foster home and had been there for about a week when I adopted him. He is also front declawed (I don't understand how anyone can have a cat declawed).
The first week he was home, I kept him in his own bedroom (safe room). He seemed to get comfortable around me fairly quickly although he would still startle when hearing a loud noise and run behind the bed. The second week I did the scent swapping thing with him and the two resident cats Sandra and Basil (Sanra is 17 and Basil 12). The two resident cats don't seem to be interested. The third week, I would lock up the Sandra and Basil and let Yunis explore the house. He is very curious about exploring and doesn't hide when let out. This fourth week I have put up a gate and left the door open so they can see each other. I have played with them and given treats on opposite sides of the gate.
I have noticed more hissing and growling from the new cat Yunis. Him and Basil, who is also male, will sniff each other's noses against the gate, then Yunis will growl and slap the gate. Sandra and Yunis have hissed as well.
Yunis is very sweet with me and will purr and sleep with me on the bed.
My question is if I am doing this correctly? When should I start letting them meet without the gate for short periods of time. I am worried that Yunis will end up showing signs of aggression. Is it normal for the new cat to be hissing and growling more than the resident cats?
Any advice would greatly be appreciated.