introducing 2 cats

Question
QUESTION: Hi Pati
You helped me the other day.  I am the one that has a new 10 mo ragdoll which we picked up Wed. and the neighbors cat who has been staying with us for at least 3 mo.  The ragdoll has adjusted very well.  He has the entire house now and seems to feel at home.  Kinsey, the other cat, was in the house as usual until Fri night when we started to give ragdoll the rest of the house.  I took her to our neighbors Fri to sleep.  Today was the 1st time they met.  THe ragdoll was more agressive than Kinsey and backed her into a corner.  The neighbor & I monitored the meeting.  THe ragdoll kinda groaned and Kinsey hissed.  I tried again a few hours later, holding him this time so he didn't chase her.  After all this, my question is should I let them work it out with me monitoring or is it better to do it slowly letting them get used to each other in short visits?

ANSWER: Hi Kathy,

The accepted way to introduce two cats is to have them restricted to different but adjoining rooms and let them sniff under the door for about a week then let them get together.  That being said I have always let my cats meet new cats right away and let them sort it out.  They have to establish who is dominant and who has what territory.  Hissing and growling is to be expected and sometimes that goes on for a very long time before the two accept or, at least, learn to tolerate each other.  As long as there is no actual cat fights in which one or the other is in danger of being hurt I say let them figure it out.  The Ragdoll probably sees this as his territory and Kinsey is moving in on this.  Are they both fixed?  This would help the process and the fact that they are of the opposite sex should help also.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THanks for getting back to me so soon.  The cats are both fixed.  I will try again this afternoon.  
Thanks for you help
Kathy

ANSWER: Hi Kathy,

Just be patient and give them time to get to know each other.  Try giving each one treats, make sure they're far enough apart so there won't be a fight over them but close enough that they can see each other so they know that both get treats equally.  Give each one equal attention and don't scold or punish them for hissing at each other, its just what they have to do for now.  I swear, with some of my cats, I think hissing is part of their vocabulary!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well we had another meeting.  Let the ragdoll go towards Kinsey slowly but when they got close claws swiped and a little fur flew and Kinsey backed herself under a sofa.  I kept them about 3'apart and let them hear each others moans and growls for a few minutes and have now separated them.  I am quite the pansy and I am afraid someone, is going to get hurt - probably the ragdoll since he is just a kitten, even tho he is 2 x the size of kinsey.  I am probably expecting too much too fast.
Can I ask you also do 10 mo old kittens play alot.  I have toy mice everywhere.  He doesn't play with them by himself.  He plays with the feather on a string when I play with him.  I know this is my last follow up.  Hope I am not a bother

Answer
Hi Kathy,

You might have to separate these two for a little while and let them sniff each other under the door before re-introducing them.  I'm surprised the ragdoll (what's his name?) is so territorial this early on but he obviously thinks he's defending his territory.
He's probably playing with the toy mice when you're not looking, I get balls with bells in them that my cats totally ignore when I'm around but I hear them in the middle of the night so I know they're playing with them.
Be patient and let them sort it out.  You might want to clip their claws (use a regular finger nail clipper and clip the points off, stay away from the dark part of the nail) in the meantime to keep everyone (including yourself) from getting hurt!