We went to the local animal shelter yesterday and found two cats to adopt. One is between 1 and 3 years old and the other is between 6 and 12 months. The older one was abandoned by her owners while the younger one was a stray. We want to adopt both, but we're concerned about them getting along. How should we introduce the two? Should we sequester them in different parts of the house initially and gradually introduce them?
2006-11-06 00:58:41 · 4 answers · asked by Katie 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Congratulations on your 2 new additions to your family! That is wonderful you are rescuing these cats!
First of all I think it is a great idea to give each cat its own room. Or give one a safe room with food water and litter. These two are not only getting used to one another but they are also getting used to you and their new surroundings. This could be a stressful time for them. The cats will smell each other under the door and get used to one another that way. Keep switching which one is in the safe room. Let them play footsies under the door and get used to the idea of one another. They will even play with toys together under the door passing the toy back and forth. You can use small pieces of food the pass back and forth as well. They will love this game.
When they do first meet face to face it should be supervised and gradual. I would open the door about an inch or two and let them go nose to nose that way. Observe their reactions. If they seem friendly then open the door all the way.
Never just put them together and let them go at it. That could be disastrous and could result in a negative relationship for some time.
Feliway has a spray and plug in to help calm cats and kittens. There is a hormone scent in there that is similar to the scent cats leave when they rub their faces on objects.
Best of luck!! I hope this helps.
2006-11-06 01:16:39 · answer #1 · answered by leenyxo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they are both new I would just bring them home and let them go. Ya, you'll hear hissing and growling but that is about all. I had the same problem with four cats. They all get along great now.After a couple of days they work it out.
2006-11-06 09:02:37 · answer #2 · answered by tlc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, i think keep them in separate parts of the house and then let them get used to each other gradually. cats usually make a big fuss about being together at first and it can look scary, but after just a short time they almost always seem to love each other.
2006-11-06 09:02:31 · answer #3 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my fiance's sister had a the sister to my kitten and i brought her home to my house which my kitten i gotten from his mom,{boyfriends mom} and JELL-O whom has never met my kitten was and stayed hidden for about a week then they got used to eachother over time. if the older cat is an outside cat no he/she wont get used to each other the kitten that is prob an inside kitten no they won't get used to each other. try to keep them in the same home but not in the same room just let nature take its course like god intended it for that would be a lot better on you and your family to.
2006-11-06 09:38:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋