So it's been 9 months since my Meowser passed away
DH and I finally felt ready for another kitty so we adopted a 5 month old neutered male (Milo) from a shelter last weekend.
Our resident kitty, Pebbles (5 year old female), is beside herself. I did a search on the boards and read all the introducing cat threads and currently have Milo isolated in his own little room, trying to get both of them to associate the other ones scent with positive things by bribing them with treats. It has only been 4 days and I know it will take a lot more time, but are there instances where a resident kitty will just not accept the newcomer?
I think Meowser traumatized Pebbles when he was alive--he kept beating her up for no apparent reason, hovering over her while she ate, etc....Pebbles' behavior has reverted back to her edgy ways when Meowser was alive (and torturing her). Back then she was a lot more aloof and less affectionate to DH and I. After Meowser passed away, she was a lot more cuddly and finally starting purring on a regular basis. She also started to sleep a lot more, which I mistook as a sign as loneliness.
I don't want to see Pebbles close up again and she now seems 'down', hiding in unusual places, not sleeping with us for the first time since I brought her home, tail twitching every time I try to pet her......she looks at me like she hates me!! I feel so guilty now recognizing how much she blossomed as an only child and I'm starting to think that maybe she'd be better off alone. It would tear me apart to have to rehome Milo.....any advice?
Our resident kitty, Pebbles (5 year old female), is beside herself. I did a search on the boards and read all the introducing cat threads and currently have Milo isolated in his own little room, trying to get both of them to associate the other ones scent with positive things by bribing them with treats. It has only been 4 days and I know it will take a lot more time, but are there instances where a resident kitty will just not accept the newcomer?
I think Meowser traumatized Pebbles when he was alive--he kept beating her up for no apparent reason, hovering over her while she ate, etc....Pebbles' behavior has reverted back to her edgy ways when Meowser was alive (and torturing her). Back then she was a lot more aloof and less affectionate to DH and I. After Meowser passed away, she was a lot more cuddly and finally starting purring on a regular basis. She also started to sleep a lot more, which I mistook as a sign as loneliness.
I don't want to see Pebbles close up again and she now seems 'down', hiding in unusual places, not sleeping with us for the first time since I brought her home, tail twitching every time I try to pet her......she looks at me like she hates me!! I feel so guilty now recognizing how much she blossomed as an only child and I'm starting to think that maybe she'd be better off alone. It would tear me apart to have to rehome Milo.....any advice?
