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Anything else I could be doing to introduce Callie and Gus?
We brought Gus home on Saturday and he's been in a separate room (we've actually alternated between our bedroom and the guest room so that more of the house starts to smell like him...), with highly supervised interactions with him and Callie that are increasing in length and freedom of movement. I think he'd be all over playing and snuggling with her, but she's definitely not into it. Last night we let them both out to wander together, a first, and she hissed/moaned when he got too close which made him back up (very sensible of him...), but she didn't lunge at him or come after him in any way - she was just basically warning him to back off. We're careful to give Callie lots of snuggles and scritches so that she knows she's not being replaced, we are also trying to hold and handle them both a lot so that they continue to learn each other's scent. They'll both hang out on opposite sides of a door and Gus is *really* ready to come out and play in the whole house, but I don't think Callie is ready for that yet.
Any other tips or things I could be doing to help these two get to know each other and get Callie to a place of tolerating Gus? I know that these things take time, and I'm happy to wait it out - but I also haven't done this in about 14 years. I don't want to be *too* protective, but Callie is so much bigger than Gus, I don't want to place him in potential harm.
Thanks ladies!
Re: Anything else I could be doing to introduce Callie and Gus?
Hi there!
I'm so glad I found your post - as I am in the same boat and didn't want to post a new thread about something I'm sure has been discussed before!
I have a 15 month old female (Ninja), we adopted her and her brother when they were tiny - they were part of a rescue litter. Unfortunately her brother (Rowdy) somehow managed to get out one day and came face to face with our grumpy old dog. That didn't end well and we decided to replace Rowdy soon after that, to keep Ninja company. In came Tastrophy (Fifi), also from a rescue litter. It took a few days for Ninja to get used to her - but we didn't separate them at all. They were still only about 9 or 10 weeks old. After 2 weeks Fifi became sick and we found out she had FIP as did most of the litter - Ninja and Fifi were quite comfortable with each other by now and Ninja was a bit lost when she realized Fifi was no longer around.
After having lost 2 sweet kittens who were had grown very fond of very quickly, in a matter of weeks, we decided perhaps we are only meant to have one kitty! So Ninja became the queen bee.
I started feeling guilty lately, that she doesn't get enough play time - as her hours are so different to ours. While she is rearing to go and sliding around the house at 2am chasing her rubber toys, we find we much prefer sleeping. So hubby agreed to let me get a new little friend. I chose a 3 month old kitten as opposed to a tiny baby, knowing that anything bigger than her would not go down well. I brought the new addition, Turtle, home yesterday and it did NOT go down well. Ninja seems petrified of the little one. While I was expecting hissing and growling - I was not expecting her to be scared?? She hides when she can see the kitten and slinks away and growls at me if I go near (if I've not washed new kitty's smell off). Seeing as the first meeting didn't go down too well (I was hoping NInja would just ignore her) I decided to set Turtle up in one of the spare rooms (not the one Ninja likes to take naps in). We let Turtle out when we are home and keep her in 'her' room while I'm at work or at night when we're sleeping. Last night I was surprised to find Ninja sleeping at my feet, as I really thought she would strop for a few days. This morning when she heard I was awake she came to greet me, but as soon as I let Turtle out of her room, she got all skittish again.
I have no idea how long this is going to last and I'm hoping it will only be a week or so. I get some comfort knowing that I'm not the only one going through this or feeling guilty!! Please keep me updated on how Gus and Callie are getting on!!