How can I introduce 2 very friendly cats to one hyper-aggressive cat?

Question

I'm moving into a friends house next month and we both have cats. I have a brother and sister pair who have been raised together since birth. Both cats are 3 years old and extremely friendly. My buddy has on cat who has been raised by itself. This cat is about 7 years old and extremely aggressive, attacking all people that come within paw swiping distance. The three cats are all meant to share living quarters with each other. What would be the best way to introduce them to each other? I know my buddies cat will be territorial and I'm worried that one of the cats will get hurt. Any suggestions? Also, anyway I can cut down on the scent marking that I'm sure all three cats will be doing to defend or claim their territory? Thanks.

Answer 1

You'll need to keep your cats separated from your friend's cat initially. Set up your bedroom with cat trees, food, water, litterboxes, and everything your cats will need so they can be kept entirely in your bedroom initially. Do NOT allow the resident cat to see your cats as you're moving in - put him up in a bathroom or another bedroom while you bring your cats in & get them set up in your bedroom. The introductions must be done in a slow & controlled manner.

Get a Feliway comfort zone diffuser (available from vet clinics and pet supply stores) to help keep all the cats calm during this transition. Your friend's cat will probably come up to the door & sniff under it and may hiss at the door. But after some time of being able to smell the new cats but without being threatened by their immediate physical presence in his space, he'll eventually get curious, and hopefully they'll start playing with each other under the door, at which point you can start allowing them to see each other - feed them a yummy meal or some favorite treats, to make seeing the other cats a positive experience. It may take a while (from weeks to months) to complete the introductions, but it's definitely worth it to take things slowly. See this link for a detailed explanation of how to do the introductions: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintroductions

Answer 2

Are they spayed/neutered? If not I would suggest making an apointment with the spca and get them fixed for like $25.00- 30.00 each. That should help out alot.

Also wait until all your cats are hungry and when it's feeding time open some cans of cat food and call them over. For some reason when the cats eat something yummy together they drop their grudges for while to eat. I think this encourages them to form a "pride". But they need their own seperate dished, close but not too close. They may still swap at each other though, but after awhile they should lighten up some.

And playing with the same toy helps too. Try finding a long strong thin twig and run the end of the twig along the carpet and make a long scratch sound. If they are all in the same room they will want to play with it. They will focus on the toy rather than each other and at the same time get used to each others scents.

Hope this helps you. It always helped me. :)

Answer 3

First, has the aggressive cat been fixed? If not, do that as that will really help. It takes approx. 2 weeks to get all the hormones out of him, so keep them separate during that time. Don't let them be in the same room together, they will smell each others scent, so they are getting used to each other. Finally after the 2 weeks has gone, let them meet each other (for a short time) usually when feeding them in a neutral area-like the kitchen. Make sure you have your spray water bottle filled and ready to go to disrupt disagreements between the cats. Regardless of how they react to each other, give reinforcement that either their actions are good, or treat the others nice. As time goes on lengthen times together and pretty soon they will all play together well. Also, don't really get worried about their fighting with each other as long as they don't draw blood or it doesn't look like play anymore. Sometimes cats play rough.

Answer 4

DO NOT PUT THEM TOGETHER RIGHT AWAY. That eating together answer will not work!!! You should keep them seperated for as long as possible. They say 2 weeks, but I kept my new kitten seperated for 1 week. It sounds difficult, but it's not. The other cats, and yours, have to get used to the new cat's smell. Rub a small towel on your cat's and the other cats fur and put it under the others food bowl. They have to eat so you know they will smell it. This is the best thing to do. Keep them seperated for a couple of weeks. Also, remove your cat from whatever room it is in and let the other cats smell around. Do this with the other cats room too. After a couple of weeks has passes introduce them. Be sure to give them lots of treats and praise.

Answer 5

I think you should first hold them but let them smell each other, then the next day let them walk around together, then the next day let them play together with a strin gor something, and see how they respond!