Ragdoll Cat Forums

Went to the vet on Friday; Sissy checked out Ok. Vet said since they had already met and wanted at each other to go ahead and take it slow but let them meet. So we have been doing slow time together each day. I have a couple of questions on this.

1. They have been doing really well; no hissing, growling, etc. However, Boo outweighs her by 10 lbs. I can't tell if some of the play is still play or fighting. Here's what happens: We let either him in her room or her down in the living room for short periods. They now touch noses, Boo still chirps at her, but he follows her EVERYWHERE and wants to sniff her rearend all the time. She would like to just lay on the rug sometimes I think but he just is fascinated with her and follows her everywhere always smelling, etc. Now they have started this "play" batty thing where she gets under the dining room hutch where he's way too big to get under and they bat each other. Same thing in her room, she gets under the bed and they do the same thing. I have separated them though when it has gotten to the point where he is biting her. I've seen him bite her twice now, and it's always on like the back of the neck area. Is this normal? She's almost 5 months, he's fixed, I'm sure she's not in heat, and this is just normal cat adjustment but I would love to hear more thoughts. He just wants to follow her everywhere and smell her rearend and then play batty bats with her and then bite her neck. Is this normal?????
2. How do I transition her downstairs? Right now her food, blankie, toys, litter box, etc. are all upstairs but they are in our one and only guest bedroom and bathroom. Where do I put her food, litter box, etc. when we bring her downstairs? Right now my husband sleeps with her upstairs at night and I sleep with Boo in our bed downstairs but eventually we need to get Sissy down with us too. How do I do this? I remain worried because he is SO BIG (I can't believe he was ever as small as she is!) and she's so small. There is literally 10 lb. difference between them.
THANKS

Watch her to see if she is nervous about the interaction. If not, then let them be. If so, then give them time apart. (If she is in a good defensive position, then let them be.) Keep litter near wherever she is, but food and water can be unavailable for some hours. For longer periods, just put out extras. Grabbing by the neck is just a way to hold and control her and may not indicate any interest in biting. You will not mistake a real fight because it is very dramatic. However, in the early stages, you may want to keep them apart if you think things are getting to intense. Do not take sides.

All sounds normal and try to enjoy the process. It is interesting to see how they become acquainted and it is your only chance to observe them doing that.

oh yay! things sound like they are coming along nicely.

i am not very experienced in these introductions between cats but could i suggest to maybe swap their rooms at night time? Have little sissy sleep with you downstairs and boo upstairs with your husband? That way the little girl could get used to sleeping downstairs and once they are ready to stay unsupervised you could have them both sleeping downstairs with you and your husband?

i look forward to hearing more about how it goes. good luck

I remember how nervous I was watching my two and their introductions which lasted a few weeks before I was comfortable with leaving them play. My eldest (Moby) used to climb right on top of Hershey and lay there and not let him move! When he finally did let him up he would chase and bite him until Hershey fell down again and he once again would sit on him and Hershey would cry. It was hard to watch and I would split them up, let things cool off and then they would be back at it. It always looked to me a lot worse then what I think it really was. Hershey would also run to hide in smaller places so Moby couldn`t get at him to sit on him. Eventually, when Hershey was a little bigger in size he started to play fight back. Now the two are ALWAYS together and best of friends.