help i really need some advice on integrting my two cats!!!!!!!?

Question

we got jack about a month ago and hes only 2 1/2 months old and from the first day we got him hes been a very nervous cat. we decided to get him a playmate so we got a six week old girl kitten whos very outgoing. we just introduced them and she could not care less but jack is hissing and attacking. its only been two days but i was just wondering if anybody had any feedback or advice

Answer 1

Hi Missyann...cats have a more difficult time making friends as they are territorial by nature. It has to be done gradually in order to help them learn that the other kitty is a friend. Anyhow, here's the advice of how to introduce cats/kittens.

"Slowly" and "Patiently" are the operative words

Although sometimes cats will get along swimmingly in just a couple of hours, you should not be surprised to have a battle on your hands if you try to introduce your new cat too quickly. The time you spend on this all-important process will be saved exponentially by not having to break up conflicts every day. Also, the first couple of weeks can set the tone for the relationship for a long time to come, so "getting it right" the first time will save a lot of hassles later on.

The Steps to Take

Set up a comfortable "safe room" for New Cat. Put her food, water, litter box (not near the food), scratching post, toys, and bed or other sleeping mat there.

Expect a great deal of "hissy-spitty" behavior through the closed door from both cats.

This is natural and normal; they are just starting to explore their "pecking order."

Scent is very important for cats. Let each of them smell the other indirectly, by rubbing a towel on one and letting the other smell it. They will soon accept the scent as a normal part of the house.

Once or twice, switch roles. Put New Cat in the normal living quarters, and let your resident cat sniff out the new cat's Safe Room.

After a day or so, let the two cats sniff each other through a baby-gate or through a barely-opened door. Gauge the rate at which they seem to be acclimating to each other.

When you think they're ready, let them mingle under your supervision. Ignore hissing and growling, but you may have to intervene if a physical battle breaks out. Again, take this step slowly, depending on how quickly they get along. If they do seem to tolerate each other, even begrudgingly, praise both of them profusely.

Make their first activities together enjoyable ones so they will learn to associate pleasure with the presence of the other cat. Feeding (with their own separate dishes), playing, and petting. Keep up with the praise.

If things start going badly, separate them again, and then start where you left off. If one cat seems to consistently be the aggressor, give her some "time out," then try again a little bit later.

The introduction can take from two hours to six months, so don't be discouraged if your cats don't seem to get along well at first. Often the case is that they will eventually be "best buddies."

Factors to Consider

1 - If you are thinking of getting a kitten to keep an older cat company, you might want to consider two kittens. They will be able to keep each other company while the older cat learns to love them.

2- If you already have more than one cat, use the "alpha cat" for preliminary introductions. Once he/she accepts the newcomer, the other resident cats will quickly fall in line.

3- Lots of snuggle-time and attention is indicated for all cats concerned during this period. Remember, the prime goal is to get them to associate pleasure with the presence of each other.
If possible, ask a friend to deliver the new cat to your home, in her cage. You can act nonchalant, as if it's no big deal, then later let your resident cat(s) think it's their idea to welcome the newcomer.

Answer 2

That sounds almost exactly like when i had my two cats together! My girl cat Kila,she wanted to sniff and get to know the couple month old boy cat Izzy and all he did was hiss at her. I admit it kinda got annoying,especially at night when you're tryin to sleep! But it should pass....Izzy stopped hissing at Kila after about 3 or 4 days. Then they became the best of friends. The one cat just has another strange cat in their home, and the new kittne is in a new place,so it just takes time for both the cats to adjust. It should stop soon! Then everyone will be a lot happier including the cats.

Answer 3

Well -Jack is only doing what a cat his age does-he is playfighting with his playmate-as you'll probably see he is not actually hurting the girl kitty-cats behave just like the big cats do(lions,tigers,cheetah and so on) and the play fighting are skills they will need when they grow up- ALL Animals play in that fashion with each other.When she gets a big older she'll be doing the same thing-they'll actually play at stalking,jumping out at each other and so forth. Try getting Jack and the girl kitty some cat toys-esp the ones with CATNIP in them like the play mice with catnip-Cats simply cannot resist catnip and it'll divert his atention away from the girl kitty for awhile. Since you do not mention that she runs in fear or is hissing back at him she doesn't do those things for she knows it is not aggression but Play. And as she get older and as he does there will be a time when romance -be prepared to have her fixed at approx 6weeks of age or when she begins spraying-the same with him esp being a Tom he will also spray(Urine)to mark his territory-this is INSTINCT and cannot be untrained but neutering him and fixing her will stop-also fixed cats are protected from some cancers. Since its only been 21/2days they do have to learn and get used to each other and the best is not to interfere but let them work it out which they will do -I doubt very much this will occur but if you see attemting to hurt or too rough for Jacl is a bit older and therefore stronger then do intervene by rdirecting his attention elsewhere. Never spank a cat (or any animal) for you cannot untrain what instinct tells them to do but it will definitely make them aggresive. Enjoy your kitties and do get toys for them but supervise the toys that can be harmful if left alone with the kitties.

Answer 4

Give it some time. Some cats are more skittish than others, and it takes them longer to get used to other cats. Give little Jack some time, it's like as if you had a 5 year old dog and you bough a brand new kitten and introduced them to each other. Just think, they wouldn't be happy with each other right? Well after a few weeks, normally they will be best buddies!

So give it time, and before you know it, they will be little fluffy buddy friends. To cute!!! Good luck with your kitties!!

Answer 5

Yes, the best thing to do is bathe them both with the same soap. Get a special kitten bath or the moist towlettes for cleaning cats. These are the easiest, as there's no rinsing required.

It sounds like Jack was taken from his mother too soon. Kittens should be 8 weeks old before being separated from their mothers. He never learned how to defend him, play hunt, check out strange smells, etc. All this is usually learned from the mother cat.

When both cats smell the same, they'll be more likely to accept each other.

Answer 6

hi, I even have had 2 cats for many of my existence and that's been dazzling for them as nicely as me. I, too, had to male cats for sixteen and 17 years and then lost them the two to previous age, and so on approximately 2 years in the past. I ventured out to the seem after and located yet another male who I named "Bob". We even have 2 canines (i recognize, slightly loopy) yet he have been given alongside pleased with the canines, only didnt seem completely contented so I talked to my vet and the seem after team returned who suggested a girl cat. I even have in no way had a girl yet have found out that she is extremely self sufficient, very like me! :) She does get alongside pleased with Bob and we named her Sophie. they have been mutually for some year now and are doing incredibly nicely. I have no habit problems and that they share no longer basically a nutrition and water bowl, yet in addition clutter container. even nonetheless I might desire to assert that the seem after team have been recommending one clutter container in line with cat on diverse tiers of your place. i attempted that once which in no way used the only downstairs so I only eradicated it. they're super cats mutually even with the undeniable fact that it sort of feels genuine that females can tend to be slightly greater aloof than a male might desire to be. besides, wish this permits on your decision yet I dont think of i might ever pass returned! Diane

Answer 7

Don't worry too much. It may take a little time for the timid cat to accept the other, but he will eventualy. Both are still kittens after all. You'll wake up one mornng and find them playing happily together, you'll see.

Answer 8

let them both have their own personal space. And when you bring the younger kitten around your original kitten make sure to present her as a treat, like give them tuna or wetfood (your preference) together once a day.

Answer 9

He's unsure of his territory, and now he has someone else in his territory. Most cats (even kittens) will not accept a newcomer, quickly. It'll take time.

Answer 10

The only thing I can add is that something called "Feliway" might be useful.

http://www.feliway.com/

It's helped here. Worth a try....