My new kitten Spencer & I are temporarily moving in to my parents house where their cat Rufus lives. Rufus is 13 & has grown up here. I have tried to introduce the two but they just aren't having any of it. Is it because they are both male? Will it help when I get Spencer 'done' at the vets? Or will they never get along?!
2006-08-04 05:04:31 · 12 answers · asked by Joanna F 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
it is going to take time not 1-2 days rufus knows the house as his territory, his kingdom with no other cats and suddenly there is a 2nd cat, and he won't like this but don't force them to get along just let it flow naturally
Yes get your cat spayed/neutered that will help
Let me just take it easy and get to know each other slowly, patients is a virtue in this situation!
Praise the cats when they are being well be haved and give each loves and cuddle seperatly so they don't feel like either one is being ignored or favored more
2006-08-04 05:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. Rufus is old and has been The King all his life. A new cat will upset him very much. Old cats hate disruptions. Any youngster is also trouble for them; the young one has too much energy.
Neutering Spencer will help in the end, but it is going to take a lot of time and patience meanwhile.
If Rufus has any favourite places, try to keep Spencer away from them. Once Spencer is neutered, find a time when Rufus is relaxed. Hold Spencer firmly but gently in your hands and slowly let Rufus sniff at him. Don't be surprised if Rufus gets mad and hisses and runs away in seconds. Keep trying, same time, once a day. Hopefully Rufus will begin to accept Spencer and see him as no threat. But is Rufus also neutered? If he is not, that might make things almost impossible, and he is too old to alter now. And also, if he isn't neutered he might attack. If you think this might happen, put Spencer in a basket and wear gloves.
The age difference, and not the gender, is your biggest challenge.
You might have to keep them separated for a while, letting Rufus enter Spencer's room while you take him out or hold him, just to sniff about. Kittens are so crazy and inconsiderate of their own safety, too much bravado and energy.You could try keeping him on a leash for some of the day, when you are there. Then Rufus will feel more secure, and so will Spencer.
I talk to my cats. I tell them why the crisis has happened and I tell them I hope they will behave decently. Funnily enough, they always seem to understand. I would love to give examples but it would take too long.
I believe it, but I don't expect you to. However, the way your voice sounds will be reassuring to them (except, how well does Rufus know you? In which case, maybe your mum or dad, his favourite carer, should do the explaining and reassuring part?)
Don't give up, and listen to all the people who send you replies; try all the positive ones!
Really wish you and Rufus and Spencer the best of luck!
2006-08-04 05:33:35 · answer #2 · answered by kiteeze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't try to force them together right away. Keep Spencer in your room complete with cat box, food and water for about two weeks. During that time, use a towel on Rufus to get his scent, and a towel on Spencer--not the same towel. Then, every day, switch the towels so you use Spencer's towel on Rufus and vice versa. They will get used to each other's scent that way.
In about a week or so, Rufus should start getting curious. He might start hanging out at your bedroom door. Don't rush this. After a couple of weeks, let Spencer out for a short time, totally supervised. If they start fighting, put Spencer back in your room. Continue allowing brief periods of "introduction." Once they can coexist without Rufus trying to kill Spencer, you are on the way to success. Do not, I repeat, do not leave them together unsupervised until they can spend several hours together without any intervention.
Cats are not like dogs. They are very territorial. It takes anywhere from two weeks to a month for a successful integration to take place, and sometimes, it never happens, but that's kind of unusual. If you make the introduction period as positive as possible, you should succeed. Good luck.
2006-08-04 05:17:59 · answer #3 · answered by freedomnow1950 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting Spencer fixed might help. You have to realize that Rufus has had the home to himself, and is going to feel his territory is being threatened.
With time, they may reach an understanding, and not fight, but they may never be friends.
2006-08-04 05:11:47 · answer #4 · answered by kids and cats 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give it time they will learn to get along. Rufus may even learn to love Spencer.
2006-08-04 05:12:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a good idea to introduce the cats to each other gradually. While their food bowls should be in the same room, make sure that they are not right next to each other, the same applying with their beds. If they are not getting along, move them further away from each other, maybe to different rooms, and if they are getting along well, then move them closer together.
Since cats are very terratorial, make sure that they each have their own personal space.
2006-08-05 00:29:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can't teach an old cat new tricks. If the older one wants nothing to do with the younger one, Old kitty will let her know.
2006-08-05 14:45:29 · answer #7 · answered by morris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep them apart if you can, but after the older one smacks the kitten around a few times it will learn its place. He's just defending his turf.
2006-08-04 05:14:44 · answer #8 · answered by tksepil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep them separate to begin with if they think they will end up together they will come around cats are Territorial they like there own space and they might want to keep it that way but they might come around
2006-08-08 03:38:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a dog then they will have to join forces to fight the dog.
2006-08-04 10:58:02 · answer #10 · answered by Young Man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋