How do i introduce a new cat to my 15 year old cat?

Question

My cat is 15 and he lost his friend last month. we got another resque cat aged 3. but my cat just wants to attack it alll the time. My cat is male and the new one is female.

Answer 1

The best thing is to let them get on with it and work it out by themselves. Remember cats are not solitary creatures but are territorrial and form heirarchies with other cats either in the house or around the neighbourhood and each cat will have its own place in the "pack".

Your 15 year old is merely establishing territory, telling the other cat, that he's boss around here... he may hang on to that title or he may not.

There is no real affect on having a male and female cat living together unless they haven't been "fixed".

Try to relax, and give both cats your love and attention. If you feel that they are getting too rough, then a quick clap of the hands and a high pitched squeal should send them in opposite directions.

Don't try and keep the cats apart in the house.

They will work it out, its very rare that they won't, but give them some time. I have been through this many times before and haven't had a pair that haven't worked things out.

On a final note, if one of them is an agressive breed, for example a Bengal, then this may not get worked out. I've a Bengal that simply wouldn't live with another cat as he would be too aggressive... if you have moggies or other non-agressive breeds then you should be fine.

Answer 2

Your old cat thinks its territory is being invaded, so is defending it.
The new cat will feel it's on strange territory, so will either try to take it over or just feel threatened and get stressed.
If you have a room or place where your old cat doesn't normally go, you could put the new cat in there and leave it by itself for a while, then introduce the old cat to it - then they'll be meeting as equals.
Otherwise, you'll just have to put up with them fighting for a while - make sure you don't leave them alone together, but let them get on with it while you're there, because they need to sort out a hierarchy. Only stop them if it looks like one of them is getting injured (most cat fights are more sounds and fury than actual damage, so it could be noisy for a while!)

Answer 3

Oh, don't worry about it let them get to know each other, they will fight for a short while, but once the dominate Cat, probably the older one, establishes his domain the other cat will respect that.

Now, you would have a lot harder time if the new cat was a male and not fixed; because, spraying, or marking already marked property is a declaration of war in cat land.

Answer 4

This worked for my 10 yr old cat meeting my new puppy..I kept them In separate rooms until the stopped growling at each other under the door . the I let my cat out every now and then slowly I rub my cat favorite food on the puppy thats what really work and they have been fine ever till this day.

Answer 5

Get your 15 year old cat closer to the new cat.

Answer 6

Youi should introduce them a few mintues at a time,be in a room and then make sure that the other cat has some where to hide and eventually they will get along.

Answer 7

best of luck mate. I had battle royal for the rest of the older cats life.He never forgave us for pushing his nose out. Sad really cos the younger cat loved the old one to bits

Answer 8

I don't think you should. Your cat is too old to have to get used to another cat and its not really fair.

Answer 9

depends on your cats teprement. see what they do when they meet, but respect your old cats territory,after all the old puss has ruled the roost for the last 15 years

Answer 10

old cat this is new cat, new cat this is old cat - seriously put them in the room together and watch them, they wil probably sniff each other, old cat will go to sleep, new cat will wonder off and want to be feed.