Introducing a new cat
I have a cat who, although I love him to bits, is totally paranoid. He is
convinced that any new event is something terrible and runs away. About 3 weeks ago I got a new cat. She is a small sweet-natured nuter who is about as unintimidating as you can imagine. Unfortunately, Mr Paranoid refuses to have anything to do with her and will not even enter the house (he sits in the garden and sulks). I have tried bringing them both into the same room, with my wife there to keep the new cat occupied, but all he does is find a corner curl up and hiss (in a very pathetic way) if she comes anywhere near her. I have tried sitting in the garden with him with her on the other side of the glass - but he goes and sulks. Has anyone got any suggestions? Thanks CS |
Put them in rooms side by side with a connecting door (closed) so that they
can smell eachother but not see eachother. Every day swap their beds or items they have played with or slept on, so they get used to eachothers' smell. After a couple of weeks of this -- and do it strictly, don't let them see eachother -- walk through the new cat's room with Mr. P in your arms a couple of times a day for a week or so. If Mr. P doesn't react badly, go to the next step -- let them into a room together, without you there. Listen carefully! Short hisses and growling are OK, but if you hear sounds of mortal combat, you will have to separate them. If, after this, you still can't get Mr. P to accept her, you may just have to live with them not loving eachother. Some cats just don't get on with others. The trick is to let them have time together without you there, so that they don't feel they have to compete for your attention, but also to have them somewhat acclimated to eachothers' presence before they do that. It's a bit tricky. Good luck and let us know how it works out -- L. "Captain Stupid" wrote in message ... I have a cat who, although I love him to bits, is totally paranoid. He is convinced that any new event is something terrible and runs away. About 3 weeks ago I got a new cat. She is a small sweet-natured nuter who is about as unintimidating as you can imagine. Unfortunately, Mr Paranoid refuses to have anything to do with her and will not even enter the house (he sits in the garden and sulks). I have tried bringing them both into the same room, with my wife there to keep the new cat occupied, but all he does is find a corner curl up and hiss (in a very pathetic way) if she comes anywhere near her. I have tried sitting in the garden with him with her on the other side of the glass - but he goes and sulks. Has anyone got any suggestions? Thanks CS |
Put them in rooms side by side with a connecting door (closed) so that they
can smell eachother but not see eachother. Every day swap their beds or items they have played with or slept on, so they get used to eachothers' smell. After a couple of weeks of this -- and do it strictly, don't let them see eachother -- walk through the new cat's room with Mr. P in your arms a couple of times a day for a week or so. If Mr. P doesn't react badly, go to the next step -- let them into a room together, without you there. Listen carefully! Short hisses and growling are OK, but if you hear sounds of mortal combat, you will have to separate them. If, after this, you still can't get Mr. P to accept her, you may just have to live with them not loving eachother. Some cats just don't get on with others. The trick is to let them have time together without you there, so that they don't feel they have to compete for your attention, but also to have them somewhat acclimated to eachothers' presence before they do that. It's a bit tricky. Good luck and let us know how it works out -- L. "Captain Stupid" wrote in message ... I have a cat who, although I love him to bits, is totally paranoid. He is convinced that any new event is something terrible and runs away. About 3 weeks ago I got a new cat. She is a small sweet-natured nuter who is about as unintimidating as you can imagine. Unfortunately, Mr Paranoid refuses to have anything to do with her and will not even enter the house (he sits in the garden and sulks). I have tried bringing them both into the same room, with my wife there to keep the new cat occupied, but all he does is find a corner curl up and hiss (in a very pathetic way) if she comes anywhere near her. I have tried sitting in the garden with him with her on the other side of the glass - but he goes and sulks. Has anyone got any suggestions? Thanks CS |
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