I've had Asha (a 9 months-ish burmese/bombay type girl who I rescued from living a semi feral life at a farm - she was heavily bullied by another semi feral and was in a poor state. She's unspayed as yet - waiting for her to be strong enough for the op) for about 3 weeks now. I have one existing cat - Shadow (a 13 year old British blue shorthair boy who's never met a non related cat before. He lived with his brother - my avatar pic - until Cali died a just over a year ago). I also have 2 dogs who are used to cats.
Asha's been gaining in confidence. I've done plenty of scent swapping with actively positive reactions on her part - sniff,purr,cuddle the scent sock . Shadow's reactions have been neutral - sniff and ignore or turn back on the sent sock, but being particularly interested in and loving to me when I'm covered in Asha's scent.
The two cats are well aware that the other is in the house, and have seen each other from a distance. Asha displayed curiosity, and Shad turned his back to ignore - I think he was more focused on the chicken in the oven
Yesterday and today I've been doing the beginnings of site swapping with Asha...its a big house:Shadow's mainly a downstairs cat but his favoured litter box is at the top of the stairs. Asha's been exploring a little upstairs. Today was the first day she's ventured more than a few steps out of her room. She started off tentatively investigating the bedrooms, which are mostly 'doggy'. I turned my back for a moment and Asha made it downstairs. Mum walked in on Asha and Shadow. He'd been asleep and started off chilled. She just sat looking at him. No growls, hisses, fluffing up etc. Then Shad moved and became fully aware of her. Asha ran straight back to her room, but remained curious.
Shadow, on the other hand, was totally spooked by the encounter. He was really unsettled, fluffed up, big eyes etc but no noise. He went and hid , tail down and commando crawling. I made a big fuss of him and gave him treats, then (after he'd appeared to relax a little for purrs and tummy rubs) carried him to every room to show him she wasn't around to ambush him, and also showed him her shut door. It took him a very long time to totally chill. He kept craning to see through doorways and round corners in case she was about to appear.
I feel dreadful about the whole thing. I'm going to get 3 Feliway diffusers plugged in tomorrow (one each for the 2 main rooms downstairs and one for the hall/stairs area). I intend to give Shad a week's break,then to introduce Asha in a dog crate or cat carrier with lots of treats for both (assuming Shad re settles quickly). I'm just really worried I've blown it with the pair of them...
Asha's been gaining in confidence. I've done plenty of scent swapping with actively positive reactions on her part - sniff,purr,cuddle the scent sock . Shadow's reactions have been neutral - sniff and ignore or turn back on the sent sock, but being particularly interested in and loving to me when I'm covered in Asha's scent.
The two cats are well aware that the other is in the house, and have seen each other from a distance. Asha displayed curiosity, and Shad turned his back to ignore - I think he was more focused on the chicken in the oven
Yesterday and today I've been doing the beginnings of site swapping with Asha...its a big house:Shadow's mainly a downstairs cat but his favoured litter box is at the top of the stairs. Asha's been exploring a little upstairs. Today was the first day she's ventured more than a few steps out of her room. She started off tentatively investigating the bedrooms, which are mostly 'doggy'. I turned my back for a moment and Asha made it downstairs. Mum walked in on Asha and Shadow. He'd been asleep and started off chilled. She just sat looking at him. No growls, hisses, fluffing up etc. Then Shad moved and became fully aware of her. Asha ran straight back to her room, but remained curious.
Shadow, on the other hand, was totally spooked by the encounter. He was really unsettled, fluffed up, big eyes etc but no noise. He went and hid , tail down and commando crawling. I made a big fuss of him and gave him treats, then (after he'd appeared to relax a little for purrs and tummy rubs) carried him to every room to show him she wasn't around to ambush him, and also showed him her shut door. It took him a very long time to totally chill. He kept craning to see through doorways and round corners in case she was about to appear.
I feel dreadful about the whole thing. I'm going to get 3 Feliway diffusers plugged in tomorrow (one each for the 2 main rooms downstairs and one for the hall/stairs area). I intend to give Shad a week's break,then to introduce Asha in a dog crate or cat carrier with lots of treats for both (assuming Shad re settles quickly). I'm just really worried I've blown it with the pair of them...