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#1
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Have I ruined this cat introduction?
We have two cats, a mutt Maine Coon lookalike (10yrs) and a bengal
(2yrs). The mutt has lived with a total of four different cats uneventfully. The bengal grew from kittenhood with him, and no other cats. These two are best friends, and play and sleep together. We recently adopted a stray mutt, another mutt Maine-Coon clone. He's ridiculously loving to humans, a true lap cat who will sit on your chest to nap and plays happily. We took him in the house a little over a week ago after getting him tested and vaccinated. He was neutered last Monday (little less than a week ago). He has taken up residence in our master bedroom. He is larger than the other two cats (~13 pounds and growing, with our other cats at around 9), and quite strong, probably due to the fact that he reached maturity without being neutered. Early in the week I let him wander, closely supervised, out with our other cats. Our current 10yr-old is scared of him, but has not challenged him. He'll sit warily while the new cat carefully walks past him. The bengal is another story. When the other cat was about, he would revert to full Leopard Cat mode. This involved making an incredible growl that seemed to be coming from a cat 10 times his size.. Finally the bengal calmed a bit, and the two were sitting rather close. The new cat suddenly struck at the bengal like a cobra, and I had no time to react. The bengal howled, ran away with a bloodied ear, and I scooped the new cat up in a blanket and brought him back to his quarantine. Now, here's the question. First off, I obviously rushed the introduction. Other cats we've acquired, for whatever reason, have seemed to become integrated fairly quickly. I've read that "first impressions" are important with cats. Is there any hope that with a lot more time and patience these two (the bengal and the stray) will ever become friendly? Or have they established their relationship already as hostile? Though the bengal is very wiry, it seems pretty obvious that he would get his butt kicked in a scrap with the stray. The stray is probably a little over a year old, and is very playful. I'd thought that if things worked out, he'd make a great playmate for our bengal when the other cat begins to slow down. Thanks for any info you can pass along. Brian Link, Minnesota Countertenor ---------------------------------- "Sola Perfecta in Coelis" |
#2
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"Brian Link" wrote in message ... Now, here's the question. First off, I obviously rushed the introduction. Other cats we've acquired, for whatever reason, have seemed to become integrated fairly quickly. I've read that "first impressions" are important with cats. Is there any hope that with a lot more time and patience these two (the bengal and the stray) will ever become friendly? Or have they established their relationship already as hostile? Though the bengal is very wiry, it seems pretty obvious that he would get his butt kicked in a scrap with the stray. Brian Link, Minnesota Countertenor ---------------------------------- "Sola Perfecta in Coelis" No, it is not too late, but I do think you may need to go back to "square one" with your introductions. I sent a rather long message to your email addy a couple of days ago. I know you won't want to use all of it, but perhaps you can pick through it and find some information that will help. My Holly had always hated other cats and would attack any in my vicinity -- to such an extent that we called her "the black tornado." The information I sent to you came from when I decided to adopt Duffy and take the slow, measured approach to introductions. It worked! The two get along beautifully now, something that I once thought could never be done with Holly. Part of the problem probably lies in your statement that other cats have seemed to introduce rather quickly. That is the mistake that many make -- it works for some, so we assume that it will work for all. However, cats are individuals (just like people), and what works for one may *not* work for others. It is much safer to take the opposite approach. That is, assume that time and care will need to be taken, then be pleasantly surprised if the introduction actually goes smoothly. MaryL (take out the litter to reply) Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") |
#3
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"Brian Link" wrote in message ... Now, here's the question. First off, I obviously rushed the introduction. Other cats we've acquired, for whatever reason, have seemed to become integrated fairly quickly. I've read that "first impressions" are important with cats. Is there any hope that with a lot more time and patience these two (the bengal and the stray) will ever become friendly? Or have they established their relationship already as hostile? Though the bengal is very wiry, it seems pretty obvious that he would get his butt kicked in a scrap with the stray. Brian Link, Minnesota Countertenor ---------------------------------- "Sola Perfecta in Coelis" No, it is not too late, but I do think you may need to go back to "square one" with your introductions. I sent a rather long message to your email addy a couple of days ago. I know you won't want to use all of it, but perhaps you can pick through it and find some information that will help. My Holly had always hated other cats and would attack any in my vicinity -- to such an extent that we called her "the black tornado." The information I sent to you came from when I decided to adopt Duffy and take the slow, measured approach to introductions. It worked! The two get along beautifully now, something that I once thought could never be done with Holly. Part of the problem probably lies in your statement that other cats have seemed to introduce rather quickly. That is the mistake that many make -- it works for some, so we assume that it will work for all. However, cats are individuals (just like people), and what works for one may *not* work for others. It is much safer to take the opposite approach. That is, assume that time and care will need to be taken, then be pleasantly surprised if the introduction actually goes smoothly. MaryL (take out the litter to reply) Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") |
#4
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On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:16:09 -0500, "MaryL"
-OUT-THE-LITTER wrote: "Brian Link" wrote in message .. . Now, here's the question. First off, I obviously rushed the introduction. Other cats we've acquired, for whatever reason, have seemed to become integrated fairly quickly. I've read that "first impressions" are important with cats. Is there any hope that with a lot more time and patience these two (the bengal and the stray) will ever become friendly? Or have they established their relationship already as hostile? Though the bengal is very wiry, it seems pretty obvious that he would get his butt kicked in a scrap with the stray. Brian Link, Minnesota Countertenor ---------------------------------- "Sola Perfecta in Coelis" No, it is not too late, but I do think you may need to go back to "square one" with your introductions. I sent a rather long message to your email addy a couple of days ago. I know you won't want to use all of it, but perhaps you can pick through it and find some information that will help. My Holly had always hated other cats and would attack any in my vicinity -- to such an extent that we called her "the black tornado." The information I sent to you came from when I decided to adopt Duffy and take the slow, measured approach to introductions. It worked! The two get along beautifully now, something that I once thought could never be done with Holly. Part of the problem probably lies in your statement that other cats have seemed to introduce rather quickly. That is the mistake that many make -- it works for some, so we assume that it will work for all. However, cats are individuals (just like people), and what works for one may *not* work for others. It is much safer to take the opposite approach. That is, assume that time and care will need to be taken, then be pleasantly surprised if the introduction actually goes smoothly. MaryL (take out the litter to reply) Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") Thanks Mary - I just found your email and will take a look at it. (I post using a live email addy just on the principle of the thing, but in reality it means I'm constantly walking the line between filtering almost everything and wading through lots of spam. This means that sometimes newsgroup followups languish or never arrive.. =/ ) BLink |
#5
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On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:16:09 -0500, "MaryL"
-OUT-THE-LITTER wrote: "Brian Link" wrote in message .. . Now, here's the question. First off, I obviously rushed the introduction. Other cats we've acquired, for whatever reason, have seemed to become integrated fairly quickly. I've read that "first impressions" are important with cats. Is there any hope that with a lot more time and patience these two (the bengal and the stray) will ever become friendly? Or have they established their relationship already as hostile? Though the bengal is very wiry, it seems pretty obvious that he would get his butt kicked in a scrap with the stray. Brian Link, Minnesota Countertenor ---------------------------------- "Sola Perfecta in Coelis" No, it is not too late, but I do think you may need to go back to "square one" with your introductions. I sent a rather long message to your email addy a couple of days ago. I know you won't want to use all of it, but perhaps you can pick through it and find some information that will help. My Holly had always hated other cats and would attack any in my vicinity -- to such an extent that we called her "the black tornado." The information I sent to you came from when I decided to adopt Duffy and take the slow, measured approach to introductions. It worked! The two get along beautifully now, something that I once thought could never be done with Holly. Part of the problem probably lies in your statement that other cats have seemed to introduce rather quickly. That is the mistake that many make -- it works for some, so we assume that it will work for all. However, cats are individuals (just like people), and what works for one may *not* work for others. It is much safer to take the opposite approach. That is, assume that time and care will need to be taken, then be pleasantly surprised if the introduction actually goes smoothly. MaryL (take out the litter to reply) Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") Thanks Mary - I just found your email and will take a look at it. (I post using a live email addy just on the principle of the thing, but in reality it means I'm constantly walking the line between filtering almost everything and wading through lots of spam. This means that sometimes newsgroup followups languish or never arrive.. =/ ) BLink |
#6
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"Brian Link" wrote in message
... We have two cats, a mutt Maine Coon lookalike (10yrs) and a bengal (2yrs). The mutt has lived with a total of four different cats uneventfully. The bengal grew from kittenhood with him, and no other cats. These two are best friends, and play and sleep together. We recently adopted a stray mutt, another mutt Maine-Coon clone. He's ridiculously loving to humans, a true lap cat who will sit on your chest to nap and plays happily. We took him in the house a little over a week ago after getting him tested and vaccinated. He was neutered last Monday (little less than a week ago). He has taken up residence in our master bedroom. He is larger than the other two cats (~13 pounds and growing, with our other cats at around 9), and quite strong, probably due to the fact that he reached maturity without being neutered. It may be best to keep the new guy in seclusion for at least a couple of weeks since he is freshly neutered. He's still got plenty of testosterone left in him, could explain his lash-out at your other cat. You haven't ruined it, but take it slow. -- -Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net Check out www.snittens.com |
#7
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"Brian Link" wrote in message
... We have two cats, a mutt Maine Coon lookalike (10yrs) and a bengal (2yrs). The mutt has lived with a total of four different cats uneventfully. The bengal grew from kittenhood with him, and no other cats. These two are best friends, and play and sleep together. We recently adopted a stray mutt, another mutt Maine-Coon clone. He's ridiculously loving to humans, a true lap cat who will sit on your chest to nap and plays happily. We took him in the house a little over a week ago after getting him tested and vaccinated. He was neutered last Monday (little less than a week ago). He has taken up residence in our master bedroom. He is larger than the other two cats (~13 pounds and growing, with our other cats at around 9), and quite strong, probably due to the fact that he reached maturity without being neutered. It may be best to keep the new guy in seclusion for at least a couple of weeks since he is freshly neutered. He's still got plenty of testosterone left in him, could explain his lash-out at your other cat. You haven't ruined it, but take it slow. -- -Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net Check out www.snittens.com |
#8
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In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", Brian Link
artfully composed this message within on 11 Jul 2004: Thanks for any info you can pass along. Congrats on your new kitty. I don't think it is ruined, in fact, sometimes you have to do a reintroduction even in situations where an already established cat is either being aggressive, or another is being aggressive to him. BTDT. Vet visits sometimes bring out this aggression in otherwise already introduced cats. Starting over introductions is a calm way for everyone to get a grip and relax. Good luck! -- Cheryl |
#9
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In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", Brian Link
artfully composed this message within on 11 Jul 2004: Thanks for any info you can pass along. Congrats on your new kitty. I don't think it is ruined, in fact, sometimes you have to do a reintroduction even in situations where an already established cat is either being aggressive, or another is being aggressive to him. BTDT. Vet visits sometimes bring out this aggression in otherwise already introduced cats. Starting over introductions is a calm way for everyone to get a grip and relax. Good luck! -- Cheryl |
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