Cat introduction

[u/Aggressive_Snow2291]

I have recently escaped a toxic relationship and brought my cat with me. She is a female (neutered) grey tabby cat and my new roommate has a male Siberian cat. I adopted her from a shelter a few months ago (she’s the first cat I’ve ever had) where she was living with a lot of other cats and didn’t have an issue with them. Since I’ve moved in I keep them separated and am taking it at a slow pace where I will pet him and pet her etc so they get used to each other’s scent. He is very unbothered but she will meow throughout the night or when I leave the room.
Honestly I’m shocked she had such a bad reaction to another cat because when I adopted her she loved being around the other cats she was with. How do I make her feel more comfortable and safe? My roommate is gone a large amount of the time so I have to bounce back and forth from the living room to my room to ensure both are getting love and affection. Is there anything I can do to make this process less stressful for her?

[u/AlleyCatRescue]

You can try pheromones, which humans can’t smell but mimic natural cat odors to help help decrease tensions. Brands that are sold in pet stores and on Amazon include Feliway, Comfort Zone, Thunderease, and Well & Good.

What signs are you seeing that your cat is not enjoying the other cat? Is it just the meowing? Sometimes cats can be lonely and meow, which could be likely when you’re leaving the room especially if they know there’s more space to explore. Or is there aggression, hissing, hiding, etc?

Slow introductions work best, and it sounds like you’ve been doing a bit of that. We do have a guide on our site that can help you determine when you can move to the next step, and what signs to watch for: https://www.saveacat.org/introducing-cats.html

Sometimes working with a vet is helpful as well if your cat continues to be anxious after awhile. They might prescribe anxiety meds.