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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Maggie/Sam
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Hello...i JUST wrote to you this afternoon about Maggie...and her new house mate Sam. If you remember..super. I am very interested in your opinion on this. We wonder if maybe we introduced Sam...all to comfortable and friendly....into Maggie's area to fast. We wonder this because it really is clear...Maggie has had a set back....growling when they roam together in the house. So i put Sam back in confinement...in his room behind the screen. And...what do we see...MAGGIE...staring at the screen..approaching it and watching him!....I can't help but wonder..maybe it was fine for him...but just to fast for her? Also..we played with them...in the main house with laser pointers...they each had their own dot on seperate ends..and ofcourse he was ok..but so was Maggie.
Any opinions are appreciated. The lady of the house and me LOVE the cats...and my only wish is to do everything we can NOW...so that all of us...especially Sam and Maggie...become real playmates. Thanks
Barn,
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As I suggested in the previous answer, play it by ear. If she is approaching the screen, then things are progressing nicely. Each cat has their own personality and temperament. She may just be taking longer to warm up to Sam.
I use a big dog crate for a new cat. It has room for litterbox, food and water, small cat carrier without the door for a bed and to get up on, and they still have room. That way they can get used to other cats around, and other cats can sniff and check them out safely. You can gradually let the cat out for short periods of time as they start getting used to each other. I got mine at Petco. I am attaching a picture of it.
Any new introduction is going to take time and patience. When 2 different personalities are involved there are no exact textbook type answers. It will work out. Make sure both cats are spayed and neutered. That makes a difference!
Tabbi
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Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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