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

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: 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.

That, and horny humans are already bad enough. We've also got a population problem. We just don't pee on random things, at least not to mark territory.

 

[Wag]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
[ We just don't pee on random things, at least not to mark territory.

Ha! If you think people don't think people play "pissing games" to mark their territory (at least in the literal sense) then you must be missing something.

 

[kalrith]

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

That's pretty much what I did when introducing our new 6mo female cat to 3yo male cat. The female lived in the bathroom for quite a while, and the male had the run of the house like he always had. After a few days, I put the female in a cat carrier in the livingroom and let the male sniff around her, and after a few minutes he just ignored her. I then opened the cage to the carrier and let the female come out on her own. We supervised them for a few weeks/months (I can't remember) and we kept the female in the bathroom whenever we were gone for at least a few months.

The transition went very well, but it still took the male 6mo to a year to fully get used to the female and stop bullying her as much. Now (two years later) they're best friends.

Edit: It's very important to not make a big deal out of the new cat while your current cat is around. IMO that's what's most likely to make your current cat resent the new cat (and possibly you).