Bringing a new cat into our home

by Tonya
(Greensburg, PA)

We currentely had a male neutered cat in home. We decided to adopt another. We brought home our spayed female about a month ago. They were fine sniffing each other at the door and we made sure each had blankets and toys with each others scents on them. Once we started to introduce them our resident cat just hisses and growls. Mind you the fur does not stand up on his back and his tail is not puffed up and he only does this from at the closest 6 feet away. Our new cat wants so badly for him to like her. She had a sibling but they were seperated at the shelter. She does not hiss or growl at all she just lies there (she's a full blooded ragdoll). We've tried supervised visits for about a week. The resident cat still hisses but won't go near the new cat. He won't go into the same room as the new cat. There has been no marking of territory. There are even times the resident cat does stop hissing and lets the new cat run around the house. Is it possible our resident isn't exactly aggresive but maybe a little afraid?

RESPONSE:

It sounds like your resident cat is just being a cat! He is just making sure the new cat knows that she is in his territory. Just let their relationship evolve on it's own. But keep in mind, they may never be friends. Or, they may become best friends. You just can't tell with cats. Give it time and see what happens. Offer treats when they are both in the same room together and engage them in play sessions. Otherwise, just let them work out their relationship in their own way at their own pace.

Donna - House Full Cats Mom