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Cats/Male/Female Integration issues
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Question
Dear Norman,
My friend Jamie and I recently moved in together. I have a 2 year old grey Tabby and she has a 3 1/2 year old long hair Calico mix. Last night we tried to introduce them to each other while holding them in our respective arms and Loki (my Tabby male) was alright and seemed friendly but Princess (Jamie's long haired Calico) began hissing aggressively at him. Before this instance Jamie has told me that Princess is a very benign and extremely sweet cat who has never had issues with any other cats in the past. She (Princess) has lived with two dogs for the past two years with no problems what-so-ever and Loki has also lived with two dogs in the past with no problems as well. We are wondering if there is anything we could possibly do to ease the integration process between the two of them. Please Please Please have answers for us or at least a couple tips to integrate my little boy with Jamie's sweet baby girl.
Jamie,
What I am about to tell you is very counter intuitive. I would let them meet each other (now that they already have), and ignore any discussions they may have. Let them hiss and spit and carry on even loosen up some fur. This is a normal "getting to know you" ritual and, given their ages, could take a few weeks to a couple of months. The best thing to do is to leave them alone. Rarely will two cats hurt each other, so, even if they seem to be "fighting", it is mostly noise and little real mayhem. If they begin to play chase, this will be a good thing, even if it ends in a mock fight.
On rare occasions, certain cats (like people) will take a dislike to each other, but I would not worry about that at this point.
Any human interference with their "getting to know each other" rituals will be counter-productive and will tend to draw thew whole ritual out even longer.
Please let me know how it goes.
Best regards.... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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