how can i get my new cat and old cat to get along?

Question

i have an indoor cat and recently discovered a stay cat outside the rainy season is here and i want to take her in - any suggestions???

Answer 1

The first thing you have to do is to get both of them vaccinated!

The intro should be gradual, keep the new cat in a seperate room for a while, you can pet him and then come out of the room and let your cat smell your hands so she gets used to the new cat's scent. Pet both of them that way and try to mix the scents so they can slowly and gradually identifie each other.(It will take time, you have to understand that)

Then let them "meet" a few times and for a few minutes each time. Do not force them. Yes there will be hissing mabe from just one side, mabe from both sides...There might even be a bit of growling from your cat...That is perfectly normal and they will adjust eventually.

They will eventually either get along or tolerate each other. It can take between a couple of days and a couple of month...Patience is the key.

Sometimes tough older cats refuse to adapt to a new comer.If she refuses to eat for a long period, loses weight and is constipated for a long time then you might consider finding a good home for the stray cat...

I adopted another cat a couple of years ago and my older female "tolerates" him...Tough I sometimes catch them sleeping close to each other, but not very often. The younger one likes the older one and wants to play with her but she hisses at him often. They eat together tough, from different dishes of course.
I always reassured my older cat that I loved her when the new one came along and it helped a lot.
Good luck.

Answer 2

You must keep them separate until the stray has been tested by the vet to eliminate the possibility of transmitting FeLv or FIV to your resident cat. Probably will need a flea treatment, worm medication and a shot for FVRCP. Spaying might be necessary too.

Two female cats will have trouble accepting one another so be prepared for lots of hissing, swatting and posturing while they establish their position in your household.

Don't overlook the use of Rescue Remedy which you can get at a health foods store for under $20. You shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on the fur between both cats' ears. Treat frequently, three or four times a day at least, for maybe five days to a week or until you see that the ladies have worked out their difficulties. It cannot possibly harm either cat and can make their emotional adjustment go more smoothly.

Answer 3

Give it some time cats will work it out. That funny I have an indoor cat and a stay been hanging around I feed him outside my cat is a girl

Answer 4

First, don't let the stray anywhere NEAR your cat until you can get it to the vet and make sure it's healthy. The stray could have any number of things to pass on to your (assumingly) healthy cat; Feline Leukemia, FIV, fleas, worms, upper respiratory infection, etc. If you MUST bring the cat in, make sure it stays in a room away from your other cat until you can get it to a vet for delousing and tests.

If it turns out the cat's healthy and you want to keep it, introductions should be calm and slow. A lot of people will recommend keeping them in separate rooms for a week or more until they get used to each others' scent, but this isn't always necessary or practical as most cats will work things out on their own. Just monitor their interactions to make sure neither one tries to hurt the other, and give each of them a quiet, comfortable place to hide (in case either one feels so inclined...when we brought home our female last month, our male hid under our bed for a few hours).

Answer 5

definitely get the cat taken to a vet before introducing him to your house cat. keep them in seperate rooms until then. once the cat is healthy, it would be a fine time to introduce them. i've read people say keep them separate for weeks, but that's a little over cautious. i have a 9 year old female tabby who has lived as a sole cat in my house since i've had her. i brought home a miane coon kitten from mspca and i kept him in a separate room for ONE day.

once i let him out, she hissed and growled at him for about a week, but he was unbothered. after that she just kind of snubbed him for another week or so. now they're good buddies. the maine coon is a year now. and i just brought home a 6 week old kitten. i didn't keep her in a separate room from them at all. and it took my maine coon less than 24 hours to be playful with her. and my tabby about 3 days. just make sure you moniter the behavior, and DO NOT yell or scold your old cat if he hisses or growls at the new cat. he can associate the scolding with the cat and never grow to like it.

i would however, recommend that you keep the new cat in a separate room while you're not home and while you sleep. give him his own food and water and his own litter pan. this way your old cat won't get too bent out of shape, and won't have the new cat's smells all over.

Answer 6

Bring the new cat in and put it in a seperate room. I did this when I wanted to get a kitten and when my hubby accidently hurt our outside cat and we needed to bring her in for the winter.
You keep the new cat in a separate room for about two weeks and slowly introduce them. They might get along and they might not. It worked with my kitten who is now about 6yrs and they are "best friends", but didn't work as great with the outdoor kitty. Im sure it will depend on your kitty.

Answer 7

I had that problem long time ago. Had this old cat, absolutely hated all other cats male and female. Got a new kitten, and she hated it. Eventually, she learned to tolerate the new one. She'd even stalk her every now and then lol.
Just be sure to have the stray tested for feline leukemia and all that, and get it's shots before introducing to your cat. And make sure yours is up to date on it's shots. Just keep an eye on them.

Answer 8

I was told;

1. put two cats seperate. Do not make them contact. Do not make them see each other.

2. let them smell each other for 2~3 weeks, preferably with a door between them (so that they can not see each other, but hear and SMELL each other's presence.)

3. after some time's been passed, try contacting each other. If they show hostility, then repeat the above for a while.

Answer 9

introduce them slowly, it takes time. do NOT show favoritism while introducing them and let them work it out on their own. patience is what you need more than anything. though some cats do just have the personality that they click immediately. it is best to keep them apart in the very beginning and give them time together to get to know each other, adding more time each time.

Answer 10

That is very nice and humane of you To take in a poor kitty that has no home. DO NOT WORRY about them getting along.. The will get along but it may take a week or so.. It is ALWAYS like that