We have an almost 14 year old female indoor cat who is very sweet, friendly, and SPOILED. Our adult daughter moved back home with her one year old male cat, and our sweetie has turned into a hissing, growling, neurotic mess. We started by keeping Monty (young male) in a separate room from Nala, but she would continually hiss at the door and drive him crazy. Monty got out through a screen and was gone for about 5 weeks, then showed up during a rainstorm. My daughter took him to a friend's house, with other cats, and he was doing fine. Now she has been forced to bring him back to our house, and I'm at my wit's end as to how to get Nala to tolerate Monty.
Monty is a very laid back, good natured cat who just wants to play. Nala is very territorial, used to being the queen, and simply cannot relax when he is anywhere near. I have been separating them when no one is home, and trying to let them roam when we are here to supervise. So far, no big fights, just a lot of hissing and growling. My biggest fear, however, is that Nala will start to resent us for letting Monty stay, as she has occasionally hissed at me and my son when stressed out over Monty.
Am I doing the right thing by trying to let them roam and work it out themselves? How long do you think it might take for them to get used to each other? I should mention that Nala is declawed (don't hate me, she has always been an inside cat and was destroying my carpets!) and Monty is not, although Monty seems to defer to Nala and is not aggressive at all other than to try to make friends.
Monty is a very laid back, good natured cat who just wants to play. Nala is very territorial, used to being the queen, and simply cannot relax when he is anywhere near. I have been separating them when no one is home, and trying to let them roam when we are here to supervise. So far, no big fights, just a lot of hissing and growling. My biggest fear, however, is that Nala will start to resent us for letting Monty stay, as she has occasionally hissed at me and my son when stressed out over Monty.
Am I doing the right thing by trying to let them roam and work it out themselves? How long do you think it might take for them to get used to each other? I should mention that Nala is declawed (don't hate me, she has always been an inside cat and was destroying my carpets!) and Monty is not, although Monty seems to defer to Nala and is not aggressive at all other than to try to make friends.