I need to know how to introduce my cat to another cat....?

Question

I just mmoved in with someone who has a female cat that is basically a kitten. My cat is 13 and set in her ways. They are in seperate bedroom now but I want to introduce them...... any suggestions

Answer 1

Introduce them a little at a time. Maybe they start out just seeing each other, not interacting. When they start interacting, make it just for a few minutes at a time, slowly working up to longer periods. Its good that the other cat is young. The younger cat needs to adapt to your cat, so if one of them needs to be corrected or removed from the situation, it should be the younger one. This shouldn't be hard, as the younger cat will most likely naturally assume that the older cat is in charge. I've experienced this a few times, and haven't run into any situations where the older cat would hurt the younger one, but you need to be prepared for the older cat to administer some discipline at times. Swats with no claws used and things like that are pretty normal. You'll know (by the volume of the vocalizations and the flying fur) if there is something more than enforcing the pecking order going on. My sister's older cat was an "only cat" for many years and got very upset when another cat set foot in her yard. She was 13 or 14 when another cat moved in. He was an adult, but unusually willing to defer to her. She still puts him in his place every few weeks, but they've adapted.

Answer 2

What really sucks about this combo is the kitten will always want to play and the old cat will want to be left alone. I saved a kitten from going to the pound at a time when I had a 10 year old cat. The kitten was always attacking him (in a playful manner that a younger cat would have responded to) but the old cat just ran away and was always scared of the kitten. We kept the kitten indoors because the old cat had been outdoors all his life except when we let him in and he really didn't want in that often after we got the kitten.

I don't know if you'll ever get them to get along, so what you need to make sure of is that the old cat has a safe, kitten-free place he can go when he gets scared and that the kitten has lots of toys and attention to keep his mind off of trying to play with the old cat.

Answer 3

Do not turn them loose together until they have a chance to smell and look at each other. The best way is to leave on cat in a carrier while the other cat checks her out. Once you let the cat out of the carrier, be prepared for some growling and hissing. That is normal for cats to decide who is the "alpha cat." This may continue for several weeks, but as long as no one is getting hurt, don't worry about it. If they seem to be fighting to the point of someone getting hurt, separate them, then slowly try introducing them again. On the other hand, if one of the cats goes under the bed or behind furniture, don't worry, she will come out of hiding once she feels comfortable with the other one.

Answer 4

The dinner party comment was hilarious. I was thinking along the same lines:
"Puffy, this is Pancake. Pancake, this is Puffy. Appetizers anyone?"
LOL funny
Actually, each of you hold your own cat and let them sniff each other. kitties love to sniff. then let them down, and watch closely. The kitten will probably want to play, just make sure the older kitty doesn't get TOO grumpy with it. The older kitty needs to be able to establish boundaries with the kitten, but it is the kitten's place, technically, so the kitten will need to experience some control too.
You don't want to interfere too much, but you don't want either cat to get hurt.
And if all that fails, you can always go back to the dinner party idea!!! LOL
good luck

Answer 5

Let them out together when you are around and can keep an eye on them, but make sure there are plenty of places where they can get away so the kitten can feel safe, and your cat can get some peace. The kitten is probably going to chase your cat and annoy her by trying to play, so make sure she can get away to something high up where the kitten can't reach if she needs to. Also, give the kitten plenty of toys to distract her. And make sure you give your cat enough attention that she won't be jealous.
Most importantly, make sure that the kitten is healthy and is negative for feline aids and feline leukemia, especially if your cat was not vaccinated for them (vets usually only give these vaccines to outdoor cats). These are terminal illnesses and you want to be catious of any new cat if your cat hasn't been vaccinated for them.

Answer 6

If the other cat is a kitten, then you can hold her, and let your cat sniff her. That's what I did with my foster cat. He sat in my lap, while my cat circled us, deciding if he was a threat or not. It might be suggested, to have your roommate do that, if you think your cat will get jealous of the kitten near you.
I've had the foster cat for nearly a month now. They are fine with each other, but only if the foster cat is in the bedroom he's confined in. Haven't gotten it farther.

Answer 7

Kittens and older female cats is a difficult situation. Go to www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article titled "Cat to Cat Introductions". You will get all the tips for success there in one place.

Answer 8

maximum of it is sound advice. save the hot cat locked in a bathing room or mattress room and supply the resident cat a guess to get used to the scent. After an afternoon or so, attempt slow introductions. provide treats so they associate the different cat with something useful. at last, attempt a shared play time. Be rapid to split them in the event that they start up hissing, somebody's ears bypass flat, or a tails gets rather fluffed up. those are all signs and symptoms of stress and the reason must be bumped off ASAP. good success!

Answer 9

I think you are have to just let it be & let them find their own way together. Most likely the older cat will have a problem with it but since you moved into the other cat's territory, maybe not. They may ro may not get along at first but they will eventually become friends or just snub each other.

Answer 10

well , experts say..........let them see each other,change rooms,so they can smell each other. but, i just open the door,and they can work it out. in Sept.i got a 22 year old. after one night in the bathroom i opened the door. my other cats went in for a smell,most couldn't care less that he was there.does the 13 year old like other pets, people? if she doesn't like the other cat she will run from it. always pay attention to older cat first,so they know who the alpha cat is. then again, they might just love each other. the young one might be afraid of the older one............cathy