Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Callie showing aggression toward Gus - help!
As I thought might be true, the peaceful coexistence from the other night was fairly short-lived. We're still trying to get Callie and Gus accustomed to each other, but a couple of times in the last couple days, she's actively pounced on him - like she's looking at him as prey. I've been able to intervene each time before either of them got hurt, physically separating them, saying "NO" very loudly, and then putting them in separate rooms to cool down - but I haven't had to deal with this before and I would really appreciate advice.
Callie lived with other cats before - too many of them, and she was attacked by one of them. I have a feeling that a lot of her attitude is fear-based so I don't want to make that worse, but I also want it to be very clear that attacking Gus is not okay. He's a kitten, he lived with his two parents and six siblings for his whole life up until last week, so he's very enthusiastic, energetic, likes to play, and charges around to investigate things. (Spending so much time cooped up in a room by himself is probably not helping, either.)
Callie doesn't show any aggression to me or DH and is the same sweet, gentle girl that she's always been. I think she just really got used to having a nice, quiet house to herself with her two humans. I want her to feel safe that Gus won't hurt her, that we're not trying to replace her, and that this is really her forever home (we're at least her third home). I also think that Gus is going to be a big boy when he grows up, so I want to make sure that they develop a good relationship. I know it's only been a week, but the aggression really concerned me. Am I overreacting?
(On the plus side, Gus let me trim his front claws this morning and he's good with being brushed - all good things for a young kitten who's going to be a long-haired boy.)
Any advice would really be appreciated!
Re: Callie showing aggression toward Gus - help!
I am introducing them slowly. They're never alone together, we always have them under close supervision; this is happening during that supervised time.
Hi there - do you not think Callie's being aggressive because you're there?
I've noticed with Ninja, if she's alone in a room with Turtle she just watches her (if she doesn't know I'm spying :P) and sometimes lets Turtle get quite close - but when we are around Ninja hisses and growls. I am starting to think it's an attention thing? I'm still keeping them apart when no-one is home though.. but will stop that in the next few days. Luckily Ninja hasn't swiped or made any attempt to hurt Turtle, just been a bit vocal.
Maybe try leaving them together while you're there so you can still monitor, but you aren't 'there'? Go with your gut though - you know your cat better than anyone!