Just found a new cat...?

Question

I just was given a female cat today that someone found on the side of the road. I already have 2 male cats that are at least a year older than her. Bob and Clint (the males) are close in age, both neurted, and have grown up together (Clint came from the ditch too). The problem is that she was not pleased to meet the boys. When we brought Clint home, Bob and him hissed for a while but it never got bad. But the new girl is ready to take them both on. She's used to being around people and is really friendly to me and my family. I'm going to be taking her to vet this week but I just want to aviod fights while I'm at work. Any ideas?

Answer 1

For a while, you will have to keep her in a separate room from the boys when you are not there to mediate. It will take some time for them to work out their relationship. For now, she'll need her own eating area and her own litter box. If you have objects with the boys' scent on them (pillows or blankets or something they've used) put them in the room with her so she gets more used to what they smell like. When you are home, try letting her out and see what happens, but if she starts fighting, you'll have to separate her again. You could try having her in the same room with the guys but keep her inside a travel cage or under a laundry basket so she can watch them but not attack them. It may take a few weeks for them to sort this out. You may want to talk to the vet about giving her some kind of anti-anxiety medicine to help her with the transition.

Answer 2

First and formost keep her separate and take her to a Vet for a throrough check up to make sure she is healthy and you are not exposing your boys to any deceases, fleas, etc. unnecessarily.
Omce she has receievd a clean bill of health try thr following.

The way I have introduced a new cat to my household was to follow the steps below. The most important thing is to go slow. The slower you take it, the more likely you will be to be successful.

First, put the new kitty in her own room. She will need to stay there for a couple of weeks, so make sure it is comfortable for her with litter box, water, and food. This will allow your old cats to get used to the sounds and smells of a new cat without having their territory invaded.

After a couple of days, start trading scents between the cats. Rub the new cat (especially around the cheeks) with a slightly damp towel and then go rub the old cats with the same towel (and vice versa). This way they will associate the scent of the new cat with good things (being rubbed and getting attention). Do this several times daily.

After one week, lock up your old cats and let the new cat out for the night or for a few hours. Do not yet allow the new and old cats to be together. Do this for one week.

By the end of week two, your old cats are going to be really curious about what is going on with the cat behind the door. You can try bringing the new cat out with the old cats for brief visits. As soon as the new cat comes out, give them all some tuna or some other really yummy treat. This way they associate great things with the other cat. Put the new cat back in her room after a brief period of time. Make sure you keep any aggression from occurring (GENTLY toss a pillow at the aggressor).

Gradually increase the amount of time the cats are together. I recommend keeping new kitty in her room over night for at least a third week. When the cats are out together, make sure you give lots of attention to the old cats so they know that they are the top kitties.

Expect lots of hissing and perhaps a swat here and there. But...this should keep any real aggression from occurring. The hissing will stop once they establish their hierarchy and get used to each other.

Most importantly....have lots of patience and take things sloooooowly!

Answer 3

It probably sounds like a pain, but initially keep her separate from the boys, and introduce them slowly. If you can, put her in a room until she gets used to being in your home, and let her have supervised visits with the boys, or put up a baby barrier so that they can sniff at each other without necessarily being able to get at each other. Give equal attention to them all, and feed them all the same.

I don't know where you live, or if this product is available everywhere, but in Australia, there is a product called Feliway that comes in a few different forms, including a plug in thing that can stay on 24/7 and it calms cats down, and this may be a good thing to use while the cats get used to each other.

Answer 4

Keep a door between them for at least 2 days. Let them check each other out from under the door, and get used to each others scents.

Then put her in a kennel and bring her out into the rest of the house. Let her get used to the sights and sounds and the other cats behind her safe cage door. Then open the door and let things happen.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

They're cats. Get a health ok from the vet....then don't seperate them. Let them get their issues out in the open. Cats will adjust to each other. It might take a few swings, swats and battles at first. It will only last a few days...a few weeks at most. They'll come out of it being the best of friend in the end.

Answer 6

I had the same experience. When the time comes that I have to go to school, I have no choice but to leave them alone praying that they will not fight. Fortunately, the male cats were gentleman enough not to fight the girl and was evading her. At this point in time, they (the boys) allow the girl to be close to them. Don't worry. They'll get used to each other. :)

Answer 7

Cats always work things out on their own, no need to do anything drastic.... they will be fine.. Females tend to be more domineering, anyways.... (ha! go figure! lol) But, it really will be fine! Getting her spayed, I hope? That will help to chill the "tude", too!

I think you are a very cool, & special person, to take in a homeless cat like that!

Answer 8

seperate the girl and two boys but make sure they can still see each other. That way no fights will occur, when you feel its okay unseperate them. They should be used to eachother by then. Hope it works out!

Answer 9

first of all, some cats carry a disease called feline leukemia. its VERY contagious and there is NO cure.
i would keep your new kitty in a separate room until she is seen by your vet, after she is tested for it, and given her shots you can work on socialization.
ask you vet about ways you can bring you cats together without them hurting each other.

Answer 10

Keep them in separate rooms. It's going to take them a while to get used to each other.