I have a 6 month old Maine Coon female & I'm getting a 2 year old female Ragdoll.How can I ease the transition

Question

I'm not keen on putting the new cat in a safe room because the only room I could use isn't air conditioned.

Answer 1

Hi there...cats need time when being introduced to one another. It's best to keep them apart at first (usually a week is enough time) in order to feel they have control of their space and feel safe. Then switch them to each other's rooms/space so that each can smell the other cats presence. Later leave the door opene and observe them coming into the same room. If they begin to express aggression try distracting them with a toy or a food treat that isn't their normal meal food. This sometimes helps a cat to relax their aggression and focus on something that is more worthwhile. If one cat engages in the play and the other wants to as well, allow them to take turns by moving the toy in far apart directions so they don't feel they are overcrowding one another. Playing with an interactive toy over a lengthy time has shown to help cats become more tolerant of the adoptive feline friend. Have some patience as every cat relaxes sooner than others. This truly takes time and patience. Cats are naturally solitary animals so it takes time to introduce them to a new roommate

Answer 2

Safe rooms are usually reccomended, but from someone who's gone through a good 8 cat-addings so far, I'd say it's not really worth it. Bring the new cat into any room, EXCEPT the one your existing cat stays in the most. You want their meeting to be on neutral territory as much as possible. You might want to keep litterboxes seperate for a week or so, and most of all, just keep an eye on them. Introduce the cats under your supervision, so your cat gets the idea that the newcomer is approved by you, the leader of the pride. Cats are territorial. If they're both neutrered males, you shouldn't have much of a problem... unfixed males may fight, but they'll set a heirarchy soon enough. Females will do the same, but they may be rather viscious about it, spayed or not. Basically, don't shove them together, just let them know the other is there, then keep a casual eye on them to make sure no one gets serious hurt. Some spats are to be expected, but it'll most likely stop within a week or two. If it doesn't, one of the cats has a domination problem and you may want to reconsider the addition for both of the cats health.

Oh, and also, make sure to watch out for colds. New cats in the household cause stress to both animals, and it's very likely that one or both of them will end up with a resperatory infection -- usually symptomized by coughing and runny eyes. If that shows up, take the cat to the vet for some preventative antibiotics, and it should be fine.

Good luck!

Answer 3

My Maine Coon, Sunny, is easy going but very possessive of me. When I brought a new kitten in the house I made sure to give Sunny extra attention even if it meant ignoring the kitten from time to time, but only for a little while. I never needed to use a safe room. All three of my cats live quite well together.

Answer 4

Allow them all the time and space they need to get used to each other. One main problem people encounter when introducing new cats is trying to insist that the cats stay together in close quarters to "get used to each other". This is not a good idea. Just bring the new kitty home and allow both cats to get acquainted with each other on their own terms. Eventually they will establish a relationship with one another, but it will take time for both of them. The very best thing you can do is simply have patience and the kitties will do the rest. Congrats on your new kitty!!

Answer 5

You do need to keep the two cats separate for a few days.l Cats can stand higher temperatures than humans, so you probably will not have a problem with the new cat being in an unairconditioned room. Cats have been living in hot climates for thousands of years. I think you need not worry.

Answer 6

Just DO NOT put them in the same room all at once. the best thing you can do is put the cat in a bathroom with a blanket or bed and every other night switch that bed with your other cat's bedl. that way they will get used to each others house. also when you do introduce them make sure that they are not trapped in the same room. this way they can have their fight and then move off into their own corners. on another note i have no other ideas so yeah ta ta...

Answer 7

From my experience, Maine Coons are relatively easy-going with a new cat. Mine will hiss and find a high shelf to watch over the newbie for about a day, then try to play. (I'm ignoring his habit of rough play as he's rough with even his best friend, a tabby).

I don't know about Ragdolls, though.

Answer 8

You are so lucky! I love Maine Coons! Don't make a big deal about the new one, let your older one "discover" it on her own. Make sure you are there though. If either one gets aggressive tell the other one in a strong voice, "this is my kitty, don't hurt her. Mine!" So the other cat understands that it is something not to be hurt, something special to you.

Answer 9

good luck. i have a maine coon and i brought home a 3 week old kitten and tried to slowly introduce her to the kitten, and that was a year ago. they fight all the time, and my coon hates her. wont even be in the same room as her

Answer 10

At www:littlebigcat.com Dr. Jean Hovfe has articles on cat health, behavior etc. She works in conjunction with a cat behaviorist. One of the articles there is titled "Cat to Cat Introductions" I think you would find it very helpful.