Introducing 2 cats? (Full Version)

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christine1 -> Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 7:44:46 PM)

i got a cat from the animal rescue just before Christmas and now i'm rescuing another cat that was abused/neglected, i couldn't stand to let it go any longer.  i've had the additional cat for about 7 hours and the two don't like each other at all, i know it takes time with these things but i'm at a loss at how to help them.   they are both female.  the new cat is 7 years old while the cat i had is almost a year old.  any suggestions would be welcome.



sweetwenchie -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 7:49:02 PM)

Try placing them in separate rooms.  They will be able to smell each other under the door, and perhaps by getting used to one another's scent first that will pique their curiousity enough that they will want to check each other out.  i think Petfinder.com might  have some suggestions, as well as PetSmart and places such as that. 

Good luck!   It can take months for animals to adapt to having another animal they have to share your attention with.  :)



ThinkingKitten -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 7:58:10 PM)

I kept the newcomer in a small caged area for the first 48 hours - they could see/sniff each other through the bars, but not do any damage. It also gave the newcomer a chance to get acquainted with me, and the sights/smells etc of my place, whilst giving them some security. I then shut the "old" one in the bedroom and let the newcomer out to go explore for an hour or two. Only after that did I actually let them loose together.
 
That was several years ago. They have never been friends, but they are not mortal enemies either (thank goodness).



angelikaJ -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 9:46:15 PM)

Have you had the newer kitty tested for Feline leukemia etc?

(I am guessing yes)

Time is what has worked for me...



christine1 -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 9:50:13 PM)

yes, both cats are healthy...the new cat came from my ex husbands house, he kept her up on her shots and things, but had the bad habit of kicking her when she wanted attention and letting her go without food for too long.  i think it will take some patience and understanding while letting her get used to my place...if she could just understand me when i tell her that she'll never want for anything ever again!



lauren0221 -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 9:50:32 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: angelikaJ

Time is what has worked for me...


Me too. Have never followed the gradual introduction instructions. Usually a day or two of hissing (I keep an eye on them and make sure it does not escalate), and within a few days they are fine. All of mine have ended up snuggling and bathing each other within a few weeks. Congrats on the new kitty:)



christine1 -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 9:52:05 PM)

thanks lauren...i hope it works out as well for me as it has for you....i'll keep my fingers crossed and lots of kitty treats on hand lol.



angelikaJ -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 9:55:09 PM)

Best wishes!

[:D]




SubbieOnWheels -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 10:02:36 PM)

Congratulations on the newest addition. You are doing a good thing to take the cat out of such an environment. Each time a new cat is introduced into a home already containing one or more cats, it's a different experience. But love and patience on the part of the humans involved will go a long way toward a successful result.

When I introduced a new cat into my one-cat home, Titania (original kitty) took exception and tried to show Misty (new kitty) who was boss. Misty spent the first month huddled under my recliner. I didn't dare recline that whole time. She only came out to use the litterbox; I even had to feed her under there. I don't know what happened while I was at work, but after the first month they were at least on civil terms, although Titania made it clear that Mommy's bed was HER property.

We moved several times, and after a couple of years they became quite good friends. Titania finally let Misty on the bed, and I even caught them snuggling together. When Misty passed away, Titania knew it first and came to me, jumping on my lap and giving me a "kitty kiss."

When we tried to introduce another cat years later, when Titania was about 15, she objected so strongly we had to give the other cat away. Titania was just too old to put her through that stress.



soul2share -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 11:16:20 PM)

There really isn't a sure fire way to do it......they are going to have to dance around each other while they get used to the new "stranger"....which is what both think the other one is.  Feed them seperately, you may even have to put out two litter boxes.  You don't mention if they are about the same size, but if they aren't, just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't beat each other up.  If they are going to really hurt each other, they'd do it almost immediately when put together.  I'd still separate them if you're going to be gone for a long time, like at work, but time is the best thing for them.  I moved an adult male cat into a household that had two female cats......took about a month before both of the girls decided that KB wasn't some uncouth little monster, then they all shared the same bed, bowls and litter boxes.

It's great that you're taking in another furbaby.  Just give it some time, they'll figure out their boundaries.....probably when you're not even looking!



Arpig -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 11:27:29 PM)

all the hissing and growling is just their way of sorting out who is the boss, in my experience (a life-long cat owner) it takes time, usually no more than a week or two for them to work it out, thereafter they will learn to get along



CuriousLord -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/23/2008 11:35:38 PM)

I don't know much about cats, and I'm so exhausted that I probably couldn't help much even if I did.  However, perhaps also due to my exhaustion, I feel compelled to say this..

KITTY!!!



MissMorrigan -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/24/2008 12:11:48 AM)

Hi Christine, your place has your cat's scent all over it. It's been their domain for a year and now they're being forced to share it. I have two cats who have been together every single day for their entire 14/15 years except when one has been ill and had an overnight stay at the vet (the male cat). When I bring him home the female attacks him... it's b/c he no longer smells like himself, but sterile. She goes at him with such ferocity that she would kill him if she were able to. The only way I can stop it is by giving her a neutral smell too. So I get a bowl of water, add some nice catty shampoo to it or a touch of Pantene. Put a cloth in the water and then give them both a rub down with the damp cloth. Drying them thoroughly afterwards. Their personal scent has been removed and they are instinctually forced to lick one another - no more fighting and it's worked every time.

Good luck with the new addition to your family.



christine1 -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/24/2008 6:42:36 PM)

thanks all for the responses, they were very helpful!



christine1 -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/26/2008 7:36:34 AM)

whoa!  update on the new cat situation.....she was abused and she's coming out more and getting used to the other kitty...that is all good.  but she has this adorable little meow and rolls on her back and i talk to her and she meows and it's all good, and as soon as i reach out to pet her she rips my hand to shreds...2 times she's done this.  i think she is posessed hehe...i also think it has turned into a battle to see who is charge between her and i.  i'll just keep feeding her treats and hope for the best. (please pray for me as i am not close to being as viscious as she is.)



SubbieOnWheels -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/26/2008 7:47:25 AM)

Take your time and be gentle. All she had in her previous life was abuse; she needs to learn that people can be loving. Have you talked to her vet about this? Or have you gone to someplace like purina.com - their ads say they have support and info on their site.

(Just as a little joke - maybe she needs a Cat Whisperer.)



christine1 -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/26/2008 7:52:59 AM)

thanks for the suggestions subbie, i'll check out the website.



StrictMstr4slv -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/26/2008 7:59:22 AM)

I myself have never had the experience of 2 cats in one household. I generally have just one cat in my home but the one time I had two cats after about 2 weeks they were getting along great. Generally my problem is between my dog and the cat, they would fight like the proverbial cats and dogs. I learned to solve this problem by holding the dog down by his paws and then getting a family member to do the same with the cat and holding them against eachother. We kept this up for about 5 minutes in which they made all the appropriate vicious nouses and struggled. The next day the cat was curled up on the dog's back and they were best of friends. I can't say if this would work with two cats but it normally does with a dog and cat from my experience. I wish you luck in resolving your problem because cats are great.




lauren0221 -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/26/2008 8:05:46 AM)

Also Christine - Rescue Remedy can help. It got my kitty to come out from under the sideboard after my almost-ex scared him. It helps with emotional issues and fear.

And no advice on the hand shredding - my little angel still bites my feet when he wants attention:)



ThinkingKitten -> RE: Introducing 2 cats? (1/26/2008 11:10:09 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: christine1

...and she meows and it's all good, and as soon as i reach out to pet her she rips my hand to shreds...


You don't say how old she is - has she been spayed?  An unspayed female may behave like this - "c'mon, rub my tummy.... RIP!" The other thing to remember is that if they do go to grab your hand and bite or scratch it - DO NOT pull your hand away - this is guaranteed to provoke them to go after the "live" prey they've just caught. Keep your hand still (bite back the pain!), say "No!" very loudly and firmly, and slowly withdraw your hand once they are still. If they go after it again, just keep still again.
 
One of my cats will still (after 7 years) rarely let me touch her belly. Anywhere else and she melts, but touch her stomach, and I'd better be prepared to become hamburger......



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