Cat introduction-hissing help

[Danger Kitty]

Hey guys. So I have 2 male savannahs, Cooper and Cody. I adopted Cooper first, about 8 ago, and he's 20 weeks old today. We knew when getting him that we would get him a friend after he was settled. About 2.5 weeks ago we adopted Cody. Cody will be 24 weeks old tomorrow (we got him at 21 weeks). We still have Cody in quarantine but he's going nuts to get out in the rest of the house. So I started off doing scheduled feedings with the two on either side of the door. After that started to go decently well I put on a glass door and my wife and I would be on either side playing with and feeding the cats. The next step I used the screen insert for out storm door over the doorway. We have been doing this for the last 3 nights and spend about 45 to an hour with the cats. When we first got Cooper for 3 days he growled and hissed at my wife and I but was playful when doing so. It seems he's doing the same with the new kitty. He'll growl and hiss but then flop over on his back with his paws in the air. His body language says play but his voice says fight. Cody just flops all over the place and has shown no aggression. I think they're just about ready but my wife is scared. To compound that fear, Cooper (the hisser) is 8.5 lbs all muscle and Cody is 6lbs and more dainty. More time? Or ready?

 

[Danger Kitty]

Cody

 

[Danger Kitty]

Cooper

 

[Danger Kitty]

Together

 

[WitchyWoman]

Switch the cats for a few days before trying face to face introductions. Put Cooper in the quarantine room and let Cody explore the house for a few hours then put Cody back in quarantine. I just think it's a good idea to let the new cat get the lay of the house and figure out escape routes and such. After a couple days of that, let Cooper in the room with Cody and see how it goes. If they mesh, great. If they need more time, keep switching them in and out of the quarantine room for a little longer.

 

[Danger Kitty]

Switch the cats for a few days before trying face to face introductions. Put Cooper in the quarantine room and let Cody explore the house for a few hours

Thank you very much for the reply. I guess I forgot to mention that I have switched them twice. Once for about an hour and the second time for 30 min. I'll do it a few more times and see how it goes. Do you think it's better to introduce in Cody's room? Or I could bring them to my moms for a true neutral territory. Cooper has been there a couple times and I could bring Cody there a few times before so he gets used to the house.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Do you think it's better to introduce in Cody's room?

Good question. I've always brought the resident cats into the quarantine room. Since Cooper is comfortable with the whole house, and it's his territory, it's probably better to allow Cody to meet in a room where he is comfortable and perceives it as his territory. Less stress for Cody. I'm not sure either cat would consider your mom's room to be neutral territory.

 

[Danger Kitty]

I'm not sure either cat would consider your mom's room to be neutral territory.

It would be my mom's house and not room. I think I would go crazy if she lived with me. Haha. But thank you very much for all the input. Unfortunately I just got a call from the vet and Cody's liver count is high. I have another appointment for next Thursday to check again. So any thought of introduction will cease until results are back and no more screen visits.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Will keep you and Cody in my thoughts. Hope that liver count doesn't signal anything serious.

 

[Patti]

I would not worry about Cooper's growling - this can mean many things, including being part of his typical play, representing some nervousness, or just acknowledging that something is unfamiliar, but it's not necessarily a sign of aggression. Many kittens will growl during play or while eating, but it doesn't mean they are going to be aggressive toward other kittens/cats. If they are not showing any overt aggression toward each other through the screen (lunging, swatting, etc.) then I think you can start trying some face-to-face introductions.