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Bringing a new kitty home to a grumpy resident kitty (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 4/20/09 10:27 PM ET
Today, we adopted a new furry friend. He's an almost one year old male cat in need of a new family. He's lovely and very pretty. Trouble is, we already have one large, bossy, 6 year old male cat. Right now, Mr New Cat is in my daughter's nursery alone and My Grumpy Pants is in the basement because (of all days!!) we're dogsitting my brother's lab. Both will spend the night where they are and I'm taking the new one to the vet for his neuter first thing in the morning. He'll be home Wed and what then?? I don't have a room to devote to the slow "one sense at a time" 1-2 week intro that the pros recommend. I'm really worried about potential fights and I do want these boys to be friends. The new one is so friendly and my daughter already loves him. Any advice? Please? TIA!
-- Edited on 4/20/09 10:28 PM --
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-- Edited on 4/20/09 10:28 PM --
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Vicki
For this child, I have prayed and the Lord has granted my petition. I Samuel 1:27
For this child, I have prayed and the Lord has granted my petition. I Samuel 1:27
Posted on: 4/20/09 10:53 PM ET
Can you close the new one in a bathroom for a few more days for the old kitty to get a little more used the new scent? And I believe having two litter boxes is also recommended since cats are usually territorial when it comes to that too.
I would also have supervised playtime with the two of them for the beginning. And since he is going to be neutered, I think the vet would recommend segregation for the wounds to heal anyway. I'm sure the two will find their own time to start getting along, just be prepared that not all cats do....
When I've had to introduce any of my cats with others, I've always done the segregation thing (the one that was confined had its own litter/food/water available). The thing I've noticed too is that if cats DON'T get along, they don't usually pick fights just to fight, they just go and do their own thing. Now, leaving presents in the form of urinating or pooping in places other than litter boxes to show discontent is what I'd watch out for.
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I would also have supervised playtime with the two of them for the beginning. And since he is going to be neutered, I think the vet would recommend segregation for the wounds to heal anyway. I'm sure the two will find their own time to start getting along, just be prepared that not all cats do....
When I've had to introduce any of my cats with others, I've always done the segregation thing (the one that was confined had its own litter/food/water available). The thing I've noticed too is that if cats DON'T get along, they don't usually pick fights just to fight, they just go and do their own thing. Now, leaving presents in the form of urinating or pooping in places other than litter boxes to show discontent is what I'd watch out for.
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I'm finally a blogger!
sewming.blogspot.com
sewming.blogspot.com
Posted on: 4/20/09 11:57 PM ET
In reply to mommy@last
Sometimes animals can be as bad as children ..jealous and not wanting to share toys and affection and such..I have 5 dogs, one rabbit, one parrot and my last addition the cat.. Sometimes they ignore each other, sometimes they play together, cat included, of course I think the rabbit thinks she is a dog..and sometimes the dogs will fight,,I just watch and listen for any growls and take totally away the object they are growling over,,usually my shoe.
In time the two cats after feeling each other out will adjust.. How I introduced them was to carry the new one in the front door and then out to the back yard where there was room to play and just sat with them awhile..with my schedule no way did I have time to play a two week intro game..And I might add that I have had others bring their pets in also..the cat seem to instinctlvely know when to disappear ..and the parrot rarely leaves my shoulder so she has been safe from the cat who prefers the outdoors anyway..Don
't give up they will adjust..

In time the two cats after feeling each other out will adjust.. How I introduced them was to carry the new one in the front door and then out to the back yard where there was room to play and just sat with them awhile..with my schedule no way did I have time to play a two week intro game..And I might add that I have had others bring their pets in also..the cat seem to instinctlvely know when to disappear ..and the parrot rarely leaves my shoulder so she has been safe from the cat who prefers the outdoors anyway..Don
't give up they will adjust..
Posted on: 4/21/09 6:14 AM ET
In reply to mommy@last
We had to do that with our two cats. I spoke with our vet and this is what he recommended and what worked for us:
When you bring in the new cat, confine it to one room.
Begin to introduce them to one another by taking a towel and rubbing the new cat, then go rub the old cat with the towel, and vice versa. This will help them get used to each other's scent.
The next step is to actually let them see one another. Open the door to the room where the new cat is a crack and let them peer at each other. Ours hissed and fussed for a while with this.
After doing this for a couple days, put the cat who is free in the rest of the house in a carrier and let the new cat out to wander. Leave the cat in a carrier where they will be able to see one another. Again, there may be a lot of fussing.
The next day, do the same with the confined cat, putting that cat in a carrier and leaving the carrier where the old cat can see it.
Continue to do this for a couple of days until the hissing and fussing lessens.
Once they are used to each other, you can allow them both to mix freely.
The entire process for us took about 2 weeks. Our cats still don't really like one another, but they don't fight.
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When you bring in the new cat, confine it to one room.
Begin to introduce them to one another by taking a towel and rubbing the new cat, then go rub the old cat with the towel, and vice versa. This will help them get used to each other's scent.
The next step is to actually let them see one another. Open the door to the room where the new cat is a crack and let them peer at each other. Ours hissed and fussed for a while with this.
After doing this for a couple days, put the cat who is free in the rest of the house in a carrier and let the new cat out to wander. Leave the cat in a carrier where they will be able to see one another. Again, there may be a lot of fussing.
The next day, do the same with the confined cat, putting that cat in a carrier and leaving the carrier where the old cat can see it.
Continue to do this for a couple of days until the hissing and fussing lessens.
Once they are used to each other, you can allow them both to mix freely.
The entire process for us took about 2 weeks. Our cats still don't really like one another, but they don't fight.
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Michelle
http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/
http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 4/21/09 3:11 PM ET
In reply to mommy@last
In my experience, the new one really needs a few days to adapt and to start to feel safe.
I don't know about using towels to distribute the cats' scents around the apartment: the entire apartment already smells like the first cat, and the 'safe' room will smell like the new cat very shortly. I don't think a cat will have any problem smelling another cat through a door.
I think it would be best to put the new cat in its own room for at least 3 days. More would be better. I would make sure to keep the other cat and pets out of that room. If New Cat manages to sneak out, don't chase it around, just stay in the door and keep the other cats out until it goes back. After a few days to get used to the idea of sharing the space, they should be ok.
I've done this before in a 300 sq ft Manhattan studio apartment, keeping the new cat in the bathroom. If you really don't think you have room to keep the cats separate for a few days, try drawing out a 15'x20' rectangle in your living room. It really is better to ease the transition with a second litter box and water bowl than to have an ongoing battle between your two fur kids.
I don't know about using towels to distribute the cats' scents around the apartment: the entire apartment already smells like the first cat, and the 'safe' room will smell like the new cat very shortly. I don't think a cat will have any problem smelling another cat through a door.
I think it would be best to put the new cat in its own room for at least 3 days. More would be better. I would make sure to keep the other cat and pets out of that room. If New Cat manages to sneak out, don't chase it around, just stay in the door and keep the other cats out until it goes back. After a few days to get used to the idea of sharing the space, they should be ok.
I've done this before in a 300 sq ft Manhattan studio apartment, keeping the new cat in the bathroom. If you really don't think you have room to keep the cats separate for a few days, try drawing out a 15'x20' rectangle in your living room. It really is better to ease the transition with a second litter box and water bowl than to have an ongoing battle between your two fur kids.
Posted on: 4/21/09 3:18 PM ET
We've never done the "slow introduction" with our cats and maybe that's why they still don't really get along. Or maybe it's just their personalities. But I encourage you to try the slow introduction method for as long as you can.
I recommend the book "Cat vs. Cat" for how to understand and deal with multiple cats in your household. It was too late for us to re-introduce our cats but I did take their advice about cat trees. Cats are territorial and a typical house or apartment has mostly horizontal spaces (couch, chair, bed). A cat tree not only gets the cats off of your furniture but it provides them with multiple levels. Often the cat who's on the highest perch is the dominant one. We bought two trees (you can build your own with wood and carpet scraps) and the cats absolutely LOVE them. Even our scaredy cat hangs out on them.
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I recommend the book "Cat vs. Cat" for how to understand and deal with multiple cats in your household. It was too late for us to re-introduce our cats but I did take their advice about cat trees. Cats are territorial and a typical house or apartment has mostly horizontal spaces (couch, chair, bed). A cat tree not only gets the cats off of your furniture but it provides them with multiple levels. Often the cat who's on the highest perch is the dominant one. We bought two trees (you can build your own with wood and carpet scraps) and the cats absolutely LOVE them. Even our scaredy cat hangs out on them.
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Lori (visit my blog at: http://monkeyroom.blogspot.com)
Posted on: 4/21/09 6:09 PM ET
In reply to mommy@last
Over the years we have done just about everything in introducing our cats to one another. In my experience, there is no one right way, it all depends on the personalities of the one(s) you have, and the new one(s) which you wish to introduce.
What is against you in this case is that the elder cat is a prime age male, and the new one is an essentially young adult male. The only thing worse than two adult males is two adult females, except that the males tend to actually physically fight more than the girls.
In this case I would definitely recommend keeping them separated for a while, esp as the younger one will smell of blood and the vet for a few days. I would only warn you about one thing - the older kitty may try to get into the room (or bathroom) where you are keeping the new one. I had to give up on keeping them separate while our cat Ptolly (silent P) was alive - he would dig relentlessly under the door and not give up when he knew someone was in there. Mostly, though, they are willing to stay apart because they are nervous.
It is too bad about the dog being there as it adds some complexity you could probably have done without.
If they fight, the best way to stop them is to throw cold water on them. Don't try to separate them with your hands because they will be unable to tell you apart from the other one and you will get hurt. Ask me how I know this.
Again, in my experience (and we have had a multi-cat family since 1974 - we have six at the present time), the boys will ultimately get along better than if you were introducing two adult females under the same conditions. No guarantees, of course. It will depend on their personalities, and whether the new one is willing to adjust to the older one.
I would give it a lot of time. It can take a year, sometimes even more, for adults to get used to each other. So, don't panic if it seems bad at first, things do change.
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What is against you in this case is that the elder cat is a prime age male, and the new one is an essentially young adult male. The only thing worse than two adult males is two adult females, except that the males tend to actually physically fight more than the girls.
In this case I would definitely recommend keeping them separated for a while, esp as the younger one will smell of blood and the vet for a few days. I would only warn you about one thing - the older kitty may try to get into the room (or bathroom) where you are keeping the new one. I had to give up on keeping them separate while our cat Ptolly (silent P) was alive - he would dig relentlessly under the door and not give up when he knew someone was in there. Mostly, though, they are willing to stay apart because they are nervous.
It is too bad about the dog being there as it adds some complexity you could probably have done without.
If they fight, the best way to stop them is to throw cold water on them. Don't try to separate them with your hands because they will be unable to tell you apart from the other one and you will get hurt. Ask me how I know this.
Again, in my experience (and we have had a multi-cat family since 1974 - we have six at the present time), the boys will ultimately get along better than if you were introducing two adult females under the same conditions. No guarantees, of course. It will depend on their personalities, and whether the new one is willing to adjust to the older one.
I would give it a lot of time. It can take a year, sometimes even more, for adults to get used to each other. So, don't panic if it seems bad at first, things do change.
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Barb
Posted on: 4/21/09 6:23 PM ET
Finally, one way in which children are easier than animals! ( :
Posted on: 4/21/09 10:14 PM ET
Okay, I guess my daughter's room will be a cat room for a few more days then.
The dog went home late last night and my resident cat (Winter) came upstairs this morning and gave the house a once over. He finally went to the nursery door and sniffed under it for a long time. The new cat (Dexter) meowed back but not in a mean way, just an I'm-bored-come-play-with-me kind of way. When I opened the door to crate Dexter for his appointment, Winter ran for the basement. I did rub Dexter with a cloth and gave it to Win. He sniffed it but walked away. Then I let Dexter rub his scent all over me with his face (he's sooo sweet and friendly) and then let Winter have a smell of me but he wasn't too interested. I'll pick Dexter up in the morning and we'll begin our process and see what happens. The vet told me to "expect a little hissy hissy slappy slappy" haha but that they'd learn to tolerate each other. I sure hope so! Thanks so all!
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The dog went home late last night and my resident cat (Winter) came upstairs this morning and gave the house a once over. He finally went to the nursery door and sniffed under it for a long time. The new cat (Dexter) meowed back but not in a mean way, just an I'm-bored-come-play-with-me kind of way. When I opened the door to crate Dexter for his appointment, Winter ran for the basement. I did rub Dexter with a cloth and gave it to Win. He sniffed it but walked away. Then I let Dexter rub his scent all over me with his face (he's sooo sweet and friendly) and then let Winter have a smell of me but he wasn't too interested. I'll pick Dexter up in the morning and we'll begin our process and see what happens. The vet told me to "expect a little hissy hissy slappy slappy" haha but that they'd learn to tolerate each other. I sure hope so! Thanks so all!------
Vicki
For this child, I have prayed and the Lord has granted my petition. I Samuel 1:27
For this child, I have prayed and the Lord has granted my petition. I Samuel 1:27
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