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I recently moved into a new apartment with my 4 year old cat. My two new roomates moved in a week before with their 3 year old cat. Unfortunately my bedroom does not have a door yet and I can not keep my cat separate from the new cat all day. The new cat can open the door where she is kept during the day. They hiss and growl and the new cat wont let my cat out of the bedroom door. Any advice on how these two can become friends? My cat has never seen another cat before yesterday. I know my cat is upset about being in a new place and with new roomates, and I dont want this to stress her out. Is there anything I can do for her?

I know how you feel, my sister has a seven year old cat and I just got a two month kitten two weeks ago, they don't want to get along at all since she keeps attacking him. The one thing I have found that is helpful is filling a spray bottle with plain tap water and every time Smokey Bear (sister's cat) hiss, growls, lifts her lips, she gets squirted. This seems to be working fairly well. It also stopped my kitten from climbing curtains.
I have the same no door problem too, but we keep my kitten in my mother's room while I am away since it's the only room in the house with a door, other than the bathroom. At night I have to be on guard since Smokey comes in my baracaded room at night and attacks Mordecai. The bad thing with that is that she often gets me rather than him.
You also might want to talk to owners of the cat. They may be willing to put an extra latch on it to keep the cats sepperated during the day. They may also agree to the squirt bottle. I would deffinetly clear it with them before you start squirting their cat.

Good luck, and let us know how it all turns out.

>>I recently moved into a new apartment with my 4 year old cat. My two new roomates moved in a week before with their 3 year old cat. Unfortunately my bedroom does not have a door yet and I can not keep my cat separate from the new cat all day. The new cat can open the door where she is kept during the day. They hiss and growl and the new cat wont let my cat out of the bedroom door. Any advice on how these two can become friends? My cat has never seen another cat before yesterday. I know my cat is upset about being in a new place and with new roomates, and I dont want this to stress her out. Is there anything I can do for her?

Is there any way to fashion a temporary door for your room out some screening material? That way your cat can stay in your room and the two cats can still see and smell each other without getting hurt. I think by now though, they have probably settled down somewhat. If a temporary door is not possible, maybe you can borrow a cage or crate from someone to keep you cat in for a little while. The cats just need to get used to each others scent and then I am sure they will calm down. You may want to get some feliway and try spraying that around the apartment. It helps calm them down. Also try some Rescue remedy in their food or water. It's a natural flower essence and also has a calming effect. Good luck.
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Dottie
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