I'm needing some advice with my cats.
Resident cat is approximately 4 years old, female and a house cat. We've had her for about 2.5 years.
New cat is approximately 9 months old, female and a house cat. We've had her for about 4 weeks.
New cat has the use of one bedroom (my son's room) and has settled into that room really well. She would love to roam around the flat but resident cat is having none of it. I have had new cat out and investigating whilst resident cat is shut in another room.
Resident cat seems to think new cat is for attacking.
I have done the swapping of blankets to get used to smell. Stroking each cat one after the other, again to get used to smell. New cat has been in it's carrier box in living room so that resident cat can come and look and smell it, see it etc.
New cat is a lovely timid cat who just hides from resident cat.
Resident cat is just chasing after new cat and hissing, spitting and growling at every opportunity.
I currently have a make shift gate at the door of the bedroom where new cat is, to stop resident cat chasing her.
Resident cat is a bit thick and doesn't realise she could jump over the gate, but yesterday she found if she threw herself at the gate she could get in and then chase new cat into a corner.
Gate is now fixed better so she can't do that again.
I have tried to get the cats eating near each other, but that results in new cat eating and resident cat hissing and growling and not eating.
If I give them treats near each other, new cat will eat hers, as long as resident cat isn't hissing, but resident won't eat hers until new cat has gone out of sight.
I know that this is still early days, and I'm fully prepared that this could take sometime for resident cat to tolerate new cat.
I suppose I'm just asking am I doing the right things, or am I doing it all wrong.
Any advice gratefully received