- Joined
- Jun 14, 2015
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- 25
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We've had Sophie for five years. She's a tuxedo rescue that we got as a kitten. Very sweet and affectionate, she was best buds with my senior lab mix, Jodie. They slept together and played and when Jodie passed in October, I felt she was lonely and had the brainy idea of adopting another cat so four weeks ago we adopted Baxter, a 1 year old male Maine Coon. He is the sweetest thing! So loving and playful. Always ready for hugs and kisses.
We rushed the first introduction because I foolishly believed that because Sophie was so affectionate and got along so well with Jodie, that she would do the same for Baxter. Wrong. Sophie has been behaving in ways I have never seen. Howling. Hissing. Charging. Ugh. Nightmare. Baxter wants to be friends. Sophie will have none of it.
So we started the introductions all over again, this time taking it very slowly. Baxter has his Base Camp in the front of the house and we started feeding them on each side of the Base Camp door moving the dishes closer in time until they were right next to the door and eating happily without incident. (about 1 week) This weekend I set up a fireplace screen in the doorway with cardboard on top (because boy can Baxter jump!) and have started the "sight" stage at meal time. I draped a blanket over the screen so they each just get a peek.
I'm following all the "rules" that I've read in countless articles but none say what specifically to do in this stage. So far, I've only opened the door for a few minutes because Sophie stops eating the minute I open it and wants to investigate. She won't be distracted by toys or food. She's way too interested in Baxter who could care less, eating eagerly on the other side. If she hisses at him, so I shut the door.
Am I doing this right? Or do I keep the door open and let her gape and/or hiss? I know this can take time but I get so discouraged when there is no progress.
We rushed the first introduction because I foolishly believed that because Sophie was so affectionate and got along so well with Jodie, that she would do the same for Baxter. Wrong. Sophie has been behaving in ways I have never seen. Howling. Hissing. Charging. Ugh. Nightmare. Baxter wants to be friends. Sophie will have none of it.
So we started the introductions all over again, this time taking it very slowly. Baxter has his Base Camp in the front of the house and we started feeding them on each side of the Base Camp door moving the dishes closer in time until they were right next to the door and eating happily without incident. (about 1 week) This weekend I set up a fireplace screen in the doorway with cardboard on top (because boy can Baxter jump!) and have started the "sight" stage at meal time. I draped a blanket over the screen so they each just get a peek.
I'm following all the "rules" that I've read in countless articles but none say what specifically to do in this stage. So far, I've only opened the door for a few minutes because Sophie stops eating the minute I open it and wants to investigate. She won't be distracted by toys or food. She's way too interested in Baxter who could care less, eating eagerly on the other side. If she hisses at him, so I shut the door.
Am I doing this right? Or do I keep the door open and let her gape and/or hiss? I know this can take time but I get so discouraged when there is no progress.