yo so i got leo (3 mo) out of a box and he is in my bedroom with me. duke (3yo black) is outside. when do i let leo out? i feel like im holding him hostage but i dont wanna start a war.
also he is scratching my door frame like crazy. is that normal or is he mad at me?
Welcome to Mittenwell! This is a very common question so I will link the pinned guide which has the standard timeline. You can check the integration guide for the general rules. Usually it is 7-14 days, but it depends on the cats. As for the scratching, check the thread on scratching furniture for some quick fixes.
Dave, you must be careful. My Bella (7 dsh, CKD stage 1) is quite sensitive to stress, and Charlie (5 maine coon) is large and can be clumsy. Pip (2 black) is playful but can get rough. I kept my last kitten for two weeks in a separate room. The timeline in the pinned guide is a good start, but you need to watch their body language. If Duke is hissing or flattening his ears, you are not ready. Also, make sure the room is secure; see how to secure a room so Leo does not escape and get into trouble.
Don't just follow the clock. My Rocky (5 orange tabby) is hyperactive and would have torn up a new cat if I rushed it. I think you need to do the scent swapping first. Check out introducing a new cat for the method I used. If Leo is still hiding, look at hiding behind the closet to see if you need to adjust the environment. The scratching is just him working out energy; give him a post to scratch instead of your door.
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