Ragdoll Cat Forums

Well here is the latest on introductions of the new kitten Sissy to older cat Boo.
Yesterday all went really well and by the end of the day (about three sessions together) they were touching noses and even slept on the couch together for about 10 minutes. Great! But today, GROAN! Boo did nothing but chase and attack her this morning. She was pinned under the dining room hutch which he can't get to. Every time she tried to get out it would start all over again--him chasing her and whupping on her. She finally ran up to her room and we've closed the door. All he wanted to do this morning was smell her butt, chase her around and bite/paw her. Fluffed out tails, etc.
Does he think she's prey? Yesterday was the first time he acted like she was another cat. But today it's back to where he seems like he thinks she's a prey animal. Is this all still normal? What to do? Thanks.

I'm no expert but that sounds like play on Boo's part, and feeling overwhelmed on Sissy's part. It will all come together..slowly.

It is play. If it gets too intense for either, then separate them. However, this is no cause for concern. (You seem concerned about the sniffing, but that is a cat thing and cats even will turn their bottoms to you as a friendly offer - best declined. ; ) Cats rely much more on scent than sight and that is why they will hiss at each other on return from a vet visit.)

Interesting you stated that cats will hiss at the other coming back from a vet visit. I never thought to think that this different yet maybe familuar smell would be cause for a reaction. When I took Benito to the vet he had to stay the day for them to get the urine sample. When I brought him back I had intended to release him from the kennel on the upper floor (Considered the cats domain). I set the kennel on the stair landing half way up to the second level of my house and Julianna approached his kennel and sniffed, sniffed and more sniffing. Benito stuck both his paws out of the front grate and was hugging her. Neither did hiss but I can understand why maybe vet smells might upset a cat for a moment.

Rebecca

We had a Siamese who would hiss at the OTHER cats when HE got back from the vet's, since he was smelling himself and thinking it was they. You can always tell when this is happening because the cats will approach each other as usual prepared to greet. When they get close enough to smell, they will stop and contemplate why they were fooled by the familiar look of this stranger. That is when one may get a warning hiss. Usually, the returned patient is very confused by this greeting, no doubt wondering what is up with his nutty housemate.