August 25, 2004
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Yikeys!
I went to the library yesterday to return/renew some books, and while I was there I did a little research on domestic cat behavior.
This is what I found out:
When introducing new cats to the household, especially when they are adults, some initial growling, hissing and swatting is to be expected and is perfectly normal. Also some minor fighting is apparently nothing to worry about. For the first few weeks, up to about a month, it is best to keep them separated, and after that gradually introduce them, first allowing them to see each other from a safe distance, and then bringing them closer together for short periods of time.
Okay, that sounds like what we have been doing, only we are letting the cats do it on their own, as they feel more adventurous about entering the main part of the house.
But, I also found this tidbit of information:
You can expect a three to six month adjustment period before the new cat is fully integrated into the household. If after that time there is still conflict then further measures must be taken...
Three to Six months???!!!???
Will our nerves survive this???
Comments (9)
Cat + bag + river = problem solved!
--Scott (no need to thank me)
Ah, kitties. They're mental. You'd be very discouraged if I told you about my parents 2 cats. But, all the other cats I had growing up always made the adjustment, so I'm sure yours'll do fine. And hopefully your nerves will too!
Why do people like Scott make remarks like that? Do they think it's funny? Don't they realise how it makes them look? Which is drastically different than they expect.
Anyways, it seems like you are doing the right thing instinctively. Which I think shows how well you know animals. Maybe it won't take as long as that, especially since the kitties aren't reading the book. Good luck.
Hmmm... isolating cats in a one bedroom apartment could be difficult. Beside, that's what makes cats the fascinating things that they are.
I know MY nerves would be shot!!! Holy Cow!!!! Good luck, hon!
good things take time i guess! well....i sure hope they get along faster! how about some catnip...pass the bowl! hehe
TRUE...like sean808080 said...Throw some catnip out there !! Maybe they will get drunk and relaxed a bit !!
I guess that cats must be used to it, at least evolutionarily speaking. Hey, you just got to evolve!
i moved in with my boyfriend, his cat and THREE dogs with my one cute little peaceful cat. our two cats did NOT get along for about the first month, month and a half, my cat Honey would not even come downstairs. now she gets around the house a lot more, she still stays away from the other animals as much as she can, and she still DEFINITELY doesn't like the other cat. his cat is peaceful towards Honey, but Honey bats at her, growls, hisses, etc. mostly because Honey used to be a street cat, and stresses out about her food and water a lot. but oh well
it's mostly peaceful around here! hang in there!
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