What stage next when introducing resident cat to new cat?

[Karen+Ted]

As a bit of background, we have a 10 year old bengal lady (!) who is an indoor cat has been any only cat for 8 years now. In my infinite wisdom I thought it would be nice to get some company for her (me!) that liked cuddles and fusses. On discussion with the Blue Cross about what age/sex was best to get I now am the proud servant of a white/ginger boy about 5-6 months old who still cries like a kitten! They have been kept seperate with him upstairs and her downstairs and me and the OH living almost seperate lives (works well with the telly viewing mind you!) I have done the 'scent' thing and she is now accepting the smell, but still hisses when she hears him the otherside of the door in the living room sometimes. When she does it when I am there then I give her some treats near the door so it is a good assocation but we leave him loose round the stairs/hall during the day now to try and get her used to him and his noise a bit more. I have a mahussive dog cage set up in the dining room ready for the next stage of face to face introductions. She has seen him through a glass door twice (by accident) and generally hisses, but am not sure whether to wait a bit longer until she has stopped hissing at the door when she hears him or whether to push on and put newbie in the cage for a short period of time and then gradually increase now or leave it until she is entirely happy with hearing him the other side of the door? Thank you for reading - any response/experiences appreciated.

[lilynmitz]

HI, and congratulations on your new arrival. How long have you had him? It sounds like your lass is still a bit anxious about him, so I'd leave it just a little longer, and then try the cage, just for short periods to start off with, and then see how it goes.

[Kay]

hissing in itself often means little though - my Tiffany still regularly hisses at Tosker, despite sharing the house with him for nearly 5 years

as your boy is still really young, he probably won't take much notice of being hissed at, which helps - she's probably getting really curious about this interloper, so it could well be time for her to have a good look at him in the cage, and no doubt show her total disgust - she's almost certainly going to be - and stay - top cat so I wouldn't worry too much about her reactions, as long as she doesn't go for his jugular - she needs to feel secure in her top cat position, and he needs to recognise her as such

[Karen+Ted]

Hi - thank you for your replies. New cat (Ted) is about 5 months old (straycatrescue adoptee) and very playful but also slightly wary which I think will help. He has been in her 'area' a few times now and she has ventured up to his once (obviously with both separated). Will try this again tonight as did it last night and although she got on a chair to look at him through the adjoining door then settled down again. His noises outside scrabbling trying to get do upset her a little, but less so now. He still mews like a kitten so hopefully that will help. This is week three now and he is getting more and more adventurous in his nature (god help the ornaments!). I will see how she is this evening with him bimbling about in her 'kitchen' space with her in the living room and then bite the bullet tomorrow if she is in the right mood. If she is a little grouchy (probably lack of day time sleep!) then I may leave it another week. It would just be nice to sit in the living room in the evening instead of the bed playing cat games and chase! I knew it would take time but I thought after a week Taz would have settled down but I guess I was over optimistic. I still think once things have settled down she will love playing with him as she is a playful 10 year old moggy.

Thanks again - any other advice always welcome.

[bobbys girl]

I wouldn't worry too much about the hissing. Our girls often hiss at each other and the boys if they invade their space or meet in a doorway! The boys seldom do it. But they all cuddle up on the sofa or bed together.

[Karen+Ted]

Thank you - and btw thats a beaut of a cat in your profile pic. I have a particularly soft spot for black cats. Was trying to get one this time but none the right age and sex so ended up with white and ginger!!! Cute tho.

[Crewella]

My lot all hiss at each other from time to time as well, I would go ahead and move on to the next stage. As has been said, they need to go through this as she asserts herself and lets him know 'the rules'. A bit of hissing is to be expected, just keep a close eye to make sure there's no real aggression.

Good luck!