Setback with new second cat

[Chinuplippyon]

Please help! We got a new rescue boy today to join our existing boy cat, both neutered and about 4 years old. 1st, A, has been with us about 6m and is a social, laid back chap so we thought would go well with another cat.

We collected B today and he's very different, forthcoming but much more jumpy. Both lovely boys. We have set B up in the spare room with a blanket of A's, toys, bed, litter tray etc as advised.

We intended to keep them totally separate apart from smell and any miaowing through the door fir a couple of days then introduce slowly but A managed to get the door open (we didn't know he could do this) for a nosey at B, and was sitting looking at him, not aggressively to my eye. Little B was hissing and growling and A backed off. A is fine after a play, but B seems agitated and withdrawn and hasn't responded to stroking or snacks. He is hissing still to any approach so we are giving him space

We will keep an eye on both and secure the door but any advice on how to get this back on track and manage this very welcome.

Poor B had to go back to the rescue after a previous attempt went wrong with an unneutered tom and I'm worried he won't settle in now. Hopefully I'm overthinking and he's just overwhelmed, the rescue did say he should be fine with another cat. I also don't want A to be unsettled

We have two rescue cats and it was difficult at first. They’ve been together now for about 9 years and tolerate each other, most of the time ignoring each other. They’re both happy and have their own favourite places in the house. The older original one does get grumpy with the younger one when it’s feeding time but soon settles down afterwards. Playing with them together helped a lot as they were both distracted by the toys rather than each other.
I would just keep making a fuss of cat A so he doesn’t feel usurped and facilitate Cat B having his own safe spaces, perhaps somewhere high up. It’ll take time, they may become good friends or they may not. Good luck.

It's day one, give them a chance! It can take weeks for some cats to settle.

Give it time. I was in despair after adopting rescue cat 3 just five weeks ago. Have two rescue girls that don't get on still after nearly 2 years. Younger one wants to play, older one doesn't and it gets aggressive. We manage to keep them as separate as we can but just wish they would tolerate each other more! They can sleep in the same room sometimes.

Thought getting a big laid-black placid boy might defuse tensions. Well on the first meeting, I was in despair. Older girl hissed at him, younger one growled. Older one still hisses but she hasn't been in his company much yet. When cat #2 approached him, he just backed off, so I think she realised quite quickly that he wasn't a threat, that she is still the dominant one, and that he's the playmate she's always wanted!

However, playful girl soon got over her hissing and they play together! They have the best fun together. If you find one somewhere in the house, the other is usually not far away! It's so cute!

I did wonder what I had done for a few days, I have to say...

Good luck with it x

Thank you that is so reassuring! I'd love them to become friends but cordial housemates is fine too, I just hate the idea of either of them being uncomfortable or B having to be
rehomed again.

You're all right in that it's only day one which has no doubt been a lot for B. He's currently hiding under the bed but accepted a treat, A is snoozing.

Thanks for the tip about high up hiding places, I'll clear some shelf space that's accessible for them. Also about playing together, I'll try and engage them with toys when they meet, they're both partial to a mouse on a stick

It took a while for my new cat to settle in with my existing cat. I was really surprised as, when I'd previously introduced the older one to her late sister, they just got on from the start. So a show of aggression from older cat this time, was a surprise. 5 months down the line and they are rubbing along quite happily. With the occasional spat.

B has been much more calm and quite affectionate this morning, bless him! I've been playing him Radio 3 quietly so he isn't listening out for every sound of A coming down and being curious at the door which will inevitably happen when he wakes up from his post breakfast nap.

I've just read about Feliway and might give this a try.

We've had a fair few more episodes of staring and hissing since they've been allowed out but the lads are doing so well! They're now roaming around with B's door only closed at night and a middle door when A is outside (we leave the patio door open for him and didn't want to shut him outside).

They have spent time chilling and sleeping in the same room but they can often be found a couple of metres apart loafing in the hallway. B sometimes lets out a strange long low howl if A gets really close but it's not really accompanied by any body language or action. B also loves a lap cuddle. Eating close together but not in the same room seems to start the day well.

B is still jumpy but getting used to house noises, the dog next door etc. He's an absolute sweetheart, they both are