Expert: Dear Tabbi - 4/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a cat, Gizmo who is about 6 years old (female and spayed) she grew up with another cat, Chief, until Chief went missing at about 2 years old.  Since then Gizmo has been on her own and I decided to get another cat recently from a sanctuary who I was told was about 3 years old (male and neutured) but seems younger than that, more like a year old.  I brought him home and set him up in his own room as the experts say and have been trying to introduce him gradually to Gizmo.  He is very lively and acts as if he has lived in the house forever, not nervous at all. He has managed to get down the stairs and come face to face with Gizmo who, hissed initially at which point he chased her!  I think it is just playfulness but now she just seems to spend as much time as she can outside. Sometimes she just sits on the table and hisses. She hasn't gone for him. It has only been a week so I'm sure I'm panicking unnecissarily but I feel so guilty thinking that Gizmo will think I don't care for her anymore and will one day not bother coming back.  I put Mondo into his room during the day and later at night to give her breathing space but I'm not sure what a normal reaction should be.  Surely she shouldn't be scared of him?! I think I may have rushed the initial introductions although I have been swapping scents etc without any negative reaction.  I am going to make a pen this weekend so I can keep them seperate but in the same room and see how that goes.  I would obviously like to think they will one day get on, but as long as I know that Gizmo won't feel threatened even if she doesn't every love him I will feel much better as she's my baby!
Any advice will be much appreciated

ANSWER: Joanne,

Gizmo's reaction is normal. Most older cats do NOT like younger cats, do not like their routines changed, and do not handle the stress from all of it as well as a younger cat. Yes, it's possible that she will leave, but not probable. She WILL get along with him...eventually. She may not ever like him, but she will put up with him. It takes at least two weeks to a month, possibly longer with an older cat, for them go through the adjustment period. You can't rush it.

Mondo sounds like he is trying to play with Gizmo. But he may also be claiming 'his' territory and letting her know. A good thing to help introductions is to have the cats play interactively. A pet laser light is great for that. They both chase the 'little red bug' and forget that they are together. That helps build their acceptance of one another. Or pull a rope or twine for them to chase.

I would put one cat in a cat carrier on the floor in a room and let the other cat investigate. Then switch the cat in the carrier. Then move the carrier to another room and do it again. Keep moving the carrier to different rooms and keep switching the cat in the carrier. Don't feed them right away, let them get hungry. Then feed one in the carrier and put the food dish of the other cat closer and closer to the carrier each time. That is so they get used to eating together. Keep praising both cats often.

After they are reasonably used to each other in the carriers, then do some face to face meetings. At that point do it AFTER you have fed them, because it is harder to be real aggressive or playful on a full tummy. Make each introduction for short periods until you see the aggression subside.

Hissing, slapping, growls, and spits are 'kitty communication' and is normal. If he REALLY bothered her, she would turn on him and let him have it. It sounds like things are progressing well. Naturally she is angry at you for bring this 'interloper' into 'her' home so she is pouting and getting an attitude about it. Plus she is trying to make you feel bad by sitting outside 'looking in'. (It's working too!...smile). Cats can be devious!

It takes alot of time and patience to do the introductions right. Don't rush it and everything will soon smooth out.

Tabbi








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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, I wrote to you recently about my two cats and just wanted to write again with an update.  Since I wrote, we have been keeping the cats out together all day as there was no problem with fighting.  Mondo has learnt how to use the cat flap so can come and go as he pleases. The only thing is that my older cat Gizmo still hisses at him and then swipes if he gets too close, Mondo usually walks away but if not will chase Gizmo (seems playfully) at which point she normally just runs away.  She also seems to skirt round him when she sees him and I noticed this weekend that she spent most of it upstairs on the bed.  She doesn't sleep on her radiator bed or with my husband on the sofa which she always did and now she doesn't seem to be using her litter tray (she seems to goe outside) It is a covered one and is seperate to Mondos which is still upstairs.  She is eating fine and doesn't appear unduly stressed but I'm just wondering if what I'm describing is still normal or if I should still be seperating them.  As I said there have been no fights at all just the hissing and a bit of growling.  Gizzy just seems to try and ignore Mondo and stay out of his way.  It just stresses me that Gizzy doesn't just wander around the house like she used to and lay where she used to. I just wondered if you could give me your advice and feelings on the situation.
Thanks
Jo

Answer
Jo,

I am glad your cats are basically getting along. The best that may happen with Gizmo is acceptance of Mondo, she probably won't ever be friends or a playmates with him. When she hisses and growls she is just telling him to 'back off and leave me alone'. That is normal.

Gizmo most likely is not using her litterbox because it is covered. Cats can get nervous in a litterbox if they can't see what is coming or what is around them. And with Mondo around that would apply. Some cats prefer going outside to using a litterbox inside. But a couple of my indoor/outdoor cats will cross their legs until they can come back in to use the litterbox....then will run back outside. Go figure!

Cats change sleeping areas. That is normal. Maybe move her radiator bed to a different area or on something different.

Tabbi