i am about to move in with my girlfriend. she has an adult female cat that for certain doesn't like other cats. my cat (adult female) and i lived for a while in a house with a male cat and they never got along. what is the best approach for bringing the two cats together to live in harmony?
2006-08-24 04:04:37 · 18 answers · asked by doug c 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Go to: www.littlebigcat.com. Read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article "Cat to Cat Introductions." Dr Hovfe is a veterinarian and a cat behaviorist. The article gives specific ways to do the introduction and I will not reiterate it here.
You can get essences from her site that would help in easing tensions between the cats. This are shipped by mail at $16.95 a bottle and directions for "treatment" come with the bottle. That would, in my opinion, be a very good investment.
2006-08-24 04:13:44 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tried all the suggestions given here when a second cat was introduced to a 7yr old cat. The older cat was the aggressive one the new younger one just cowered and peed all over. It didn't change so now they live in separate rooms one having the run of the house at night the other by day. Works for us, so don't sweat it if they don't get along.
2006-08-24 04:17:57 · answer #2 · answered by Byrana 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rule of thumb - don't force anything. Make sure when you introduce the cats that they have something they're accustomed to around. IF they have a favorite bed, toy or anything that gives them a sense of familiarity that always helps.
I would highly recommend 2 seperate cat pans at first so they dont' start spraying unnecessarily and its easier to deal with 2 cat pans than it is to clean up urine and territorial wars across the house.
As things warm up introduce new toys that both can enjoy, interact with both cats at the same time if they're being lovey dovey and make sure that there is enough food and water that they're both happy.
Ignoring them or locking them away will definately enforce the wrong habits so don't fall for the easy way out! cats generally like companions so try and build that companionship!
2006-08-24 04:12:33 · answer #3 · answered by Byron M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an adult male and adopted a female kitten. She was kept in the bathtub for a couple of weeks until they got used to each other's scent. He was a very good "parent" to her, washing her, letting her pounce on him, sleeping side by side. When he died last summer we adopoted a male kitten and did the same thing. He is a year old now and still is a bit aggresive and wants to pounce on her. She doesn't like it and will let him know but they do sleep side by side at the foot of our bed. So, the best thing is to keep the new cat confined to one room for a few days, and gradually give them time together, slowly extending the length of time. They will learn that they will be sharing territory but may never totally accept each other, just like sibilings, who squabble at times.
2006-08-24 04:17:07 · answer #4 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the truth is is that two cats from a different litter that are the opposite sex may never get along, unless one of them wants the other to be it's mate, depending on whether you got the cat spayed.
to avoid confrontation, keep the all three of the cat's litter boxes in different bathrooms. also, each cat have it's own individual water and food bowl, in separate places to avoid fighting.
your girlfriend's cat may have territory issues, since two new cats are coming to live with her. she can't spray,-obviously-, but she definitely might fight if she feels in-dangered by one of you cats, so the best resort is to keep your cats away from the other female while you are around.
Eventually, they will get used to each others scent, but for now, still be precautious of the cats.
2006-08-24 04:17:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I knew my adult cat would hate my kitten so I just kept the kitten in our office for a day. I let the kitten out and the adult cat wouldn't come out from under the couch for like two days. I let them work it out on their own. There was a lot of hissing and cat fighting (no pun intended). Now they love each other!!
Are your cats spayed and neutered?? That might make a difference.
2006-08-24 04:12:38 · answer #6 · answered by helmsgrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well they have never met so you cant be sure that they wont get along ,, but just in case you might want to put them in seperate rooms until you can be with them when you come home from work,, then gradually introduce them to each other ,, DONT FORCE,,, just do it little by little you never know ,, your girlfriends cat has been an alpha for alond time so it will take a while , stranger things have happened they might just learn to co-exsit !
good luck
2006-08-24 04:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by corkybusangel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try keeping one cat in a room with a door for a little bit..The cats well know who is there and maybe they well start liking each other..
2006-08-24 05:32:19 · answer #8 · answered by sunshine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all you will need to get a cat carrier and introduce them very slowly while at least one of you are home...and at first they will each need to have their own litter boxes...have patience and introduce them a little at a time, they will hiss and probably freak out at first it may take a day a week or even a couple of months but soon they may be each others best companions...
2006-08-24 10:59:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have someone, who doesn't live there bring the cat in. if You can, put the anal smell of Your cat on the new cat's face. Your cat will think the new cat is related to it.
2006-08-24 04:16:07 · answer #10 · answered by Catnipgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋