Best way to add a 2nd cat to the family?

Question

We have an older female cat and want to get another cat. What is better to get - male or female and how do you introduce them so that they will get along?

Answer 1

First I hope you are adopting from your local animal shelter or pound........I would get a female ..they are usually not as aggressive as the males ..second keep the cats apart for a couple of days so the new one begins to get the scent of the house on their fur...some cats take to each other right away ..others may hiss or even go to fight ..go slow have the new cat sleep on a towel (you can put it in a box ) then introduce just the towel to your older cat ..keep a spray bottle of water near you when they first meet ..just in case ..and last give your original cat lots of attention..they do feel neglected as people when a new one comes in ... soon you will be the PURRFECT family....

Answer 2

If you get a kitten, the sex won't matter. If you get an older cat, preferrably get a female.

I strongly suggest you get a kitten that will aclimate better than an adult. However even kittens can be little balls of fire. They see a foreign cat and arch their backs, do that little "spider side step dance" all the while spitting like a ferocious tiger. It is more humorous than dangerous though.

Two ways to introduce cats sanely as well as kindly. Select a room for the NEW cat. Put it in the room and keep door closed for several days. Let the cats introduce themselves through the door. Cats have a wonderful sense of smell. They acquaint by odors. Yes they will hiss and fuss through the door, but better through a door where no claws are involved.

The other way is via a carrier. Keep the new cat in a carrier where the older cat can investigate this "intruder". The carrier provides protection for the new cat. Let the cat out for exercise in a room for given periods of time and then return it to carrier where your older cat can view it and vice versa. When the hissing starts to settle down you can allow the new cat out with supervision.

NEVER lock the resident cat away. This can and will cause resentment problems toward the new member of the family. Rejection is not healthy for an older cat. And it will view it's confinement as punishment.

No matter how gentle a cat has been...intruders = competition and can create aggression. So better safe than sorry.

You didn't indicate how old your "older" cat was, but if it is a "senior citizen", it will require a lot of warm fuzzies and reassurance that it is not being replaced and NOT being ignored for the "cute newbie".

Most cats bond just fine within a few days to a couple of weeks. Worst case scenario, they will develop a system of tolerance toward each other.

Good luck with the new family member....:)

Answer 3

We just introduced two new kittens into a home with two cats that are 10+ years old. We left the kittens in their own room for a couple of weeks and let them all get used to the scent and sounds through the door. Then we started letting the kittens out for an hour or so at a time. After about a week we just left them out and it was all fine.

If you try to rush them together they'll be more aggressive.

Answer 4

I have heard of this method being successful when introducing a new baby to a dog - not sure if it would work with two cats, though. Try using a blanket or favorite toy, give it to one cat and then to the other. This may help them get used to the other cats scent. Anyone heard of this before? Does anyone know if cats use scent like dogs do?

Answer 5

Get it as a kitten. so it can grow up to the other cat you have. its the best way. just hope your older cat takes to the kitten.

Answer 6

Anytime.. and watch them together.
Any hissing separate them.
Then try again.
Make you love your older want and keep assuring her.
In due time, they will be happy together.
good luck!!!