Introducing an 8 y/o male house cat to adopted 1 y/o female cat

[UnatcoAgent]

We've adopted an 8 year old Maine my excellent compatriot, he's pretty big by cat standards, small by my excellent compatriot standards. He's always been solo, indoors. I'd like to get a rescue, but I'm not sure how he's going to handle it.

I've read about the introduction procedures, keeping them in separate rooms and sharing blankets between them first to expose their smells, letting them see each other through the door openings, and taking it step by step. Anyone ever done this?

Input appreciated.

Rob

Edit > Photo of Misha from previous thread

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

kittens

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

kittens

Hah! I wish, he's fixed, the rescue would be spayed. Would be pretty hilarious, though kittens are a bit of a pain in the ass.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

kittens

Hah! I wish, he's fixed, the rescue would be spayed. Would be pretty hilarious, though kittens are a bit of a pain in the ass.

It's terrible how casually people talk about sterilizing animals but consider it inhuman to do to humans.

 

[OCGuy]

You should expect some buttsecks.

 

[Wag]

If he's fixed it might not be as bad, but you'd better watch them pretty closely as males, fixed or not, can be pretty territorial and if he can really start going at her (fighting wise).

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: Wag
If he's fixed it might not be as bad, but you'd better watch them pretty closely as males, fixed or not, can be pretty territorial and if he can really start going at her (fighting wise).

Hmm yeah, because we just got this guy, I don't know how he'll react at all. I'll talk to the previous owner and see what he thinks, thanks.

 

[Barfo]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

rape

Fixed.

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: Barfo

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

rape

Fixed.

my thoughts exactly.

My god, the internets have made me a sick, depraved individual where cat rap is a casual though that runs through my mind.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: venkman

Originally posted by: Barfo

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

rape

Fixed.

my thoughts exactly.

My god, the internets have made me a sick, depraved individual where cat rap is a casual though that runs through my mind.

*facepalm*

any serious input here?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Confine the new cat to a single room for a while (1-3 days) and allow your current cat to acclimate to the scent of a new animal in the house. Make sure to spend time with the new cat during this period as well so it's not freaked out, but also pay attention to the older cat and make sure he doesn't feel abandoned. This is a good idea even without an existing cat as it can be overwhelming for a cat to have complete run of a new house all at once. Better to provide a single room that is quiet and has places for the cat to hide.

After the first day, introduce the two cats with supervision. There is likely to be some bristling/hissing, which is normal. Your old cat will be wanting to establish itself as dominant in the area if he's used to having the run of things.

Until you're sure that they aren't going to maim each other, keep the cats separate at night or when you're not home. Again, some minor hissing/bristling for the first month or so can be normal and doesn't necessarily indicate that they will fight, just that they are feeling out where they stand with each other.

Here's a link that has some helpful tips, though, in my experience, it is very rarely necessary to move as slowly as they recommend:
http://www.peteducation.com/ar....cfm?c=1+2137&aid=2926

Here's another link that has, I think, more realistic information:
http://www.myhealthycat.com/multi-cat.html

ZV

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Confine the new cat to a single room for a while (1-3 days) and allow your current cat to acclimate to the scent of a new animal in the house. Make sure to spend time with the new cat during this period as well so it's not freaked out, but also pay attention to the older cat and make sure he doesn't feel abandoned. This is a good idea even without an existing cat as it can be overwhelming for a cat to have complete run of a new house all at once. Better to provide a single room that is quiet and has places for the cat to hide.

After the first day, introduce the two cats with supervision. There is likely to be some bristling/hissing, which is normal. Your old cat will be wanting to establish itself as dominant in the area if he's used to having the run of things.

Until you're sure that they aren't going to maim each other, keep the cats separate at night or when you're not home. Again, some minor hissing/bristling for the first month or so can be normal and doesn't necessarily indicate that they will fight, just that they are feeling out where they stand with each other.

Here's a link that has some helpful tips, though, in my experience, it is very rarely necessary to move as slowly as they recommend:
http://www.peteducation.com/ar....cfm?c=1+2137&aid=2926

Here's another link that has, I think, more realistic information:
http://www.myhealthycat.com/multi-cat.html

ZV

Thanks very much!

I'm worried a bit about Misha the Maine my excellent compatriot just attacking the new cat outright, if the new cat gets seriously injured and we have to go to the vet, that would be horrible, despite trying to introduce them correctly.

 

[MotF Bane]

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: venkman

Originally posted by: Barfo

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

rape

Fixed.

my thoughts exactly.

My god, the internets have made me a sick, depraved individual where cat rap is a casual though that runs through my mind.

*facepalm*

any serious input here?

Dude. ATOT + serious?

 

[Gibson486]

Yeah, I did this once. My cat kept kicking the other cats ass and he was pissed. What I ended up doing was spraying the cats with water everytime they fought. When teh other cat began fighting back and water only stopped it for 3 minutes, I just stuck both of them in a small carry on cage for 2 hours and they both stopped (right when i closed the door). After a 3 hour intro of water and fighting and 2 hours in a cage with each other, they both took a nap on the couch together. Call it whatever you want, but it worked and no cat shed any blood.

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

kittens

what a pedo

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

kittens

Hah! I wish, he's fixed, the rescue would be spayed. Would be pretty hilarious, though kittens are a bit of a pain in the ass.

It's terrible how casually people talk about sterilizing animals but consider it inhuman to do to humans.

Agreed

 

[Ticks]

I introduced my 3 year old cat to a few month old kitten. I kept them in separate rooms, did the blanket thing, cracked the door...the older one always started hissing and then the kitten would hiss too. Did every day for about 3 or 4 days straight. Then, I said "F it" opened the door and let them roam around together. Never had a problem. The older one sniffed the newer one and that was it. 2 years later the younger one owns the older one by chasing, playing , and jumping on him.

 

[alkemyst]

You don't necessarily have to isolate a new cat.

Are they having problems with each other?

Are both fixed? That's going to be the first thing.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
You don't necessarily have to isolate a new cat.

Are they having problems with each other?

Are both fixed? That's going to be the first thing.

They're both fixed, I don't have the 2nd one yet, I found a rescue I want to adopt though.

 

[Kev]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

kittens

Hah! I wish, he's fixed, the rescue would be spayed. Would be pretty hilarious, though kittens are a bit of a pain in the ass.

It's terrible how casually people talk about sterilizing animals but consider it inhuman to do to humans.

Maybe because they are animals.

 

[Appledrop]

looks like a lazy fatty from pic, prob wont give a shit

 

[lokiju]

We had a similar situation when I was a kid with a 6 year old male cat and a new female kitten.

At first the male cat would hiss at her and act all tough, but after a few weeks they were used to each other and became good "friends".

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: Kev

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Sabot
What should I expect?

kittens

Hah! I wish, he's fixed, the rescue would be spayed. Would be pretty hilarious, though kittens are a bit of a pain in the ass.

It's terrible how casually people talk about sterilizing animals but consider it inhuman to do to humans.

Maybe because they are animals.

 

[Wag]

We sterilize house pets because people (not the pets) are too damn irresponsible and let them propagate to no end. In my development where they allow pets, I can't tell you how many morons move out and leave their housecats behind. Bastards.

 

[spidey07]

I was coming in to say exactly what ZV said. That's exactly how you do it. It will take some time but hopefully they'll learn to like each other. Rarely some just never ever get along. They will tolerate each other, but that's about it and there will be a scuffle at least once a day.