How long will it take for my cat to get adjusted to his new home?

Question

My tom cat is going to lived with my boyfriend and his mother, they already have a senior cat and she is spayed. My cat has been promise to my boyfriend for some time and my cat already knows my boyfriend, Tikki is 11 months old and he will be getting nueter in a couple of days from now.

Should he keep Tikki confined to one part of the house before introducing him to the other cat and if so for how long?

Answer 1

Yes he should keep Tikki confined to his own room at first with a litter tray, food and water etc right there with him. After a few days then swap the cats over, allow him to sniff where the other cat's been and the resident cat to check out where the other cat's been, all safe as they're seperated. This will let them get used to the other cat's scent. after 5 days of swapping them over, then they are ready to meet, but not face to face, through a glass door (shower is perfect if it's enclosed) or screen door and feed each of them so they can see each other but not touch. You will get an indication whether they are going to be aggressive or not. If that goes well, after a day or two, you can let them out together, but only when supervised. Sometimes it can take up to 6 months for two adult cats to become accustomed to each other you will need to play that by ear and see how they go and you will know when it's safe to leave them together.

Also, the current cat he has should come first, it gets fed before the other cat, it gets patted first, it still gets as much attention as it always did and maybe a bit more too. You dictate the hierachy, this will help avoid fights.

Try to let them see you playing with each of them, maybe put one in a carrier while you play with the other, then swap them over so they know there's nothing to fear. Go slowly and be prepared to go back to the start if it's not working, start over but it's best to go slowly in the first place as often the damage is already done. You may have no problems at all but it's best to do it right to be sure.

Good luck, I wish you all well for a successful transition.

Answer 2

There is definitely an art to introducing cats. Bring the new cat into the house in his box or carrier. Don't let him out. Set the carrier in the middle of the room so the other cat can smell and see. Make sure to give the resident cat lots of attention. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes unless the cat in the box makes a big fuss. What you're doing here is assuring the resident cat that she's still the boss.

Put the new cat in the bathroom with litter box, food and water. Take the old cat's blanket and rub it all over the new cat. Then give the new cat a blanket of his own. The cats will get to know each other under the bathroom door and the new owner can visit the new cat and get acquainted that way. The bathroom is best because small spaces are comforting to cats and the cat has nowhere to hide.

Make sure you have an extra litterbox.

I'd do this for at least a week and then when you get ready to let the new cat out, rub him with the other cat's blanket again. What this does is make the new cat smell like he belongs there.

There probably will be some hissing and slapping, but eventually they can get along after they figure out who is in charge (top cat). Sometimes all you get is tolerance and sometimes they turn out to be best buds.

Don't give up because it can take awhile. Keep the new cat in the bathroom for about a week. Once he's out it can take several months for them to get along. Make sure you give the "resident" cat lots of attention.

What you're doing is introducing the new cat in a non-threatening manner.

Answer 3

1. Go with your cat to the boyfriend's house and stay there with jim for a couple of days too. Yes, confined in a room at first.
2. Bot he and the other cat will be anxious until the meet each other. So introduce them from the beginning, while holding them, so that they don't fight, even if you keep them separated for a couple of days, so that they both know what is on the other side of the door.
3. After a cuple of days let them see each other, through a glass balcony door or something. If you can keep them in a way that they can see each other but not fight for a week or so it is best.
4. After that, let them smell each other, by putting a mesh at the door-frame, so that they can see each other, smell each other but not fight. You will see if they are very hostile.
5.After a week, you can let them be in the same room, but you must be there too, preferably 2 people, so that if there is a fight you can break them up. They should be monitored for about a month, hopefully by that time they will have gotten used to each other. It will be good if you can visit your cat a lot during that time.

Answer 4

Introduction takes allot of time and effort. The most important thing is not to let him out because he will try to find hois way back and get lost. Also there is things that a person can do to get the cat used to another. First play, like a ball on the end of a rope, one they cannot swollow parts of and they play on each side otf the door, another is to show them they eat at the same time. they must show they are indifferent and never face them forcefully to each other's face, wrong thing to do!!! Eventually the cats will notiv=ce that they have each other's sme;ll and they have everything in common, so firts try the play thing. A rope or toy witha a play ball on each side and they play toghether on ethe oppisite side of the door, there for seeing each other but not touching each either, then the next day, turn the toys around so they get each other toy, or ball and get their scent. now a brush, slghtly brush one and brush the other one, then they will start to smell the same this is the best start I can give you. I have done this many times. I think keeping Tiki confined for a time is necessary to know the is not a threat to the resident cat, the rest, do as I say. They must see each other eating too, kinda like under the door or see through door as long *** they can smell each other. Must have motre than one box or thee will be trouble!

Answer 5

He needs to put your cat in a room & shut the door for a week or two. The two cats will know each other is there & when no one is looking they will play footsies under the door & get to know each other that way, then crack the door for a few hours a day & allow them in & out. And then seclude them again. Just gradually adjust them to each other & the house. It can take up to 3 months for them to totally adjust & act normal & at home. It helps if the same person feeds the cat everytime to develop a trust.

Answer 6

When I brought my cat to his new home I was told by the breeder to keep him confined to one area- not too small- for 3 weeks. Good idea to have Tikki neutered asap and Good Luck!

Answer 7

Oh HOW RIDICULOUS! If I locked any of my kittens in a room for 3 weeks to 3 months they would think I hated them. It's completely asinine to separate a cat from the rest of the family for that long. Cats are going to hiss, moan, scratch, whine, and be slightly territorial for (at the max, I've EVER seen) a month. Introduce the new animal and let them duke it out. There can only be one leader, as this is nature's way, and they will establish whom is in charge. Do NOT ignore the newly introduced animal either, that is so cruel.

Answer 8

do no longer wait from now on. positioned them at the same time so they'd get used to a minimum of one yet another. they are going to be ultimate acquaintances correct away. They sell specific low calorie cat food at Petsmart. Get a number of that.

Answer 9

i would say around 3 months.