Helping cats make friends

[Wally274]

Hi, I have recently taken on a 14 yr female cat who spent 3weeks living in our garden she spent two weeks in the vet but no one came forward for her so we offered to have her. We have done everything we can to introduce her and our male 8yr old ! she has her own floor with litter tray, bed, scratch pole etc and he has the rest of the house and outside. We have scent swapped blankets room swapped etc! However we are a month on and stuck they will eat either side of a stair gate but as soon as they are done one will normally hiss and they walk off. They are both very anxious of each other! Individually they are both soppy lap cats that love human contact ! I am desperate to get them at least to the point they can both be left to roam the house without hissing ! If anyone has any help I’d be greatful!

[Lilith]

Hi and welcome and good on you for taking on this new girl

Time is the remedy. A hiss is generally cat language for, 'I know you're there, drat you and I'm not keen, but I won't fight.'

At this point they're just getting used to each other; a month isn't long and although they may never be fast friends to the point of snuggling together, there's every chance they'll compromise and live together without friction. Given time.

Hopefully others will be along with more advice but hope this helps for now.

Please keep in touch and let us know how they get on.

[Wally274]

Thanks for the reply! I am so anxious for them both I just want the best for them both! Fingers crossed time will help !

[Marla]

It's lovely that you adopted her. Eating near each other is a huge accomplishment. When we were introducing our two boys, they played with a rope on either side of a closed door. One would pull the rope and the other would pounce on it. If not a rope, then maybe two catnip toys tied together. (Only when you're around, of course. I'm not suggesting leaving string or rope down.)

[Kay]

if hissing is as bad as it gets, I really wouldn't worry - my 16 year old girl has routinely hissed at Tosker for 9 years now and neither has threatened to leave home

[Miabrevera]

Soo, how the process of making friends is going?