How to introduce two female cats, different ages?

[animalluver!!!]

My family has a 5 year old cat (Hailey) and a stray we're taking in, I think she's under a yqear old (Allie). We've been trying to introduce them, and they're just fine about 2 feet away from eachother, but then Hailey will inch closer (even if Allie's sleeping) and swipe at her with claws, and then hissing and stuff. How can I introduce them safely, so they can get along well enough for me not to worry about leaving them alone in the same room. (like going to school and such... or even leaving the room)

Hailey is a pretty independent cat, and doesn't like being held too much, and Allie thrives on attention and loves to be held and sleep on your lap. We've had Hailey for her whole life since 8 weeks. Allie arrived on our doorstep 2 months ago and has been living outside until now. She's had experience with a possum and feral cats...

Thank you!!

 

[Pook]

At this point they're probably just getting used to each other's scent. If they're getting along enough to get that close, you're doing good! They're probably ok to have in the same room if neither seems stressed (and if you're supervising). If you're home for the weekend, try keeping them together for an hour then separate them for a couple hours to rest (and rotate rooms so they get used to each other's scent). When they're apart, put food dishes on opposite sides of the door. That'll help them get used to each other's scent and associate good things with the other cat. If things seem good, try feeding them next to each other without the door. I've had cats who hiss and growl at each other but as soon as the food came out, they were best buddies.

Don't interfere too much unless it looks like they're going to fight or one seems really stressed. Don't scold either cat - if it looks like it's getting intense, just clap and make noise to distract them. Hissing and swiping is totally normal, and your cat is probably trying to establish herself as the alpha. I have a cat who used to walk up to a new cat, swat it, and run away as fast as she could. After a while, this turned into a game for them!

It sounds like you're in good shape - just give it a few days and you'll have a better idea if they will be ok to leave on their own. I've had cats go from that stage to getting along in a matter of hours to weeks.

 

[sharkinthewater]

When I introduce a new cat, I put them in crates next to each other or on opposite sides of a door so they can get use to smelling each other. Hailey may also be trying to assert her dominance. You might want to get some plastic claw sheaths so she doesn't injure allie and keep them apart when you aren't home unitl they adjust. It will take time, but most cats manage to work it out.

 

[Hamy]

show them thru glass and wait untill they get enuff of each other..

 

[NONAME]

hailey is trying to show her superiority. the best thing to do is to beat the ever loving douche out of both of them. then neither will feel like the pack leader, and they both will submit, and heal together. also, try holding one down and forcing the other to scissor them. then they will smell both of them at once. another good trick is to put then in the same bag, spin it until they both do a long, low pitch meow, then pour them down the stairs while they are dizzy.