Well, here's some background on our story - we adopted Sid back in May 2004 (he's 8 years old) and he's the sweetest most loving cat ever. My husband and I had just decided to get him a playmate so he won't be so lonely when I return to work.
Anyway, we got Shadow (8 years old as well) just this past Saturday and we have done really well with the introductions thus far - we have kept him in his own room, let them sniff each other through a baby safety gate and they haven't hissed, nor try to be aggressive with each other. Eating time is at the gates and so far so good with everything.
The problem is how the new cat, Shadow, is treating us. We figured out that he will bite us if we pet his belly, so we have stopped doing that. The thing is, why would he bite me for no reason? I was just sitting there on the couch and he came up to me, purred, tried to nudge his head on me, but then he bit me for no reason - and then he did the strangest thing, he flinched like he was waiting to be hit. I don't believe in hitting and I have not punished him, only telling him no, when he does bite me. I was wondering this -
1) Will this behavior continue?
2) Is this stress from moving into a new home with a resident cat?
3) Was he abused?
I tried getting a hold of the previous owner, but he won't return my calls. *SIGH*
Anyway, he's a long haired cat, so we brush him everyday, but I can seem to get close to his belly or his chest/neck. Am I doomed to a mean cat?
Please help!
Anyway, we got Shadow (8 years old as well) just this past Saturday and we have done really well with the introductions thus far - we have kept him in his own room, let them sniff each other through a baby safety gate and they haven't hissed, nor try to be aggressive with each other. Eating time is at the gates and so far so good with everything.
The problem is how the new cat, Shadow, is treating us. We figured out that he will bite us if we pet his belly, so we have stopped doing that. The thing is, why would he bite me for no reason? I was just sitting there on the couch and he came up to me, purred, tried to nudge his head on me, but then he bit me for no reason - and then he did the strangest thing, he flinched like he was waiting to be hit. I don't believe in hitting and I have not punished him, only telling him no, when he does bite me. I was wondering this -
1) Will this behavior continue?
2) Is this stress from moving into a new home with a resident cat?
3) Was he abused?
I tried getting a hold of the previous owner, but he won't return my calls. *SIGH*
Anyway, he's a long haired cat, so we brush him everyday, but I can seem to get close to his belly or his chest/neck. Am I doomed to a mean cat?