I am getting ready to get married and my fiance will be adding his male cat (he is "fixed) to my house. I have a 6 year old female cat (she is "fixed" too) that does not like other cats. Will she adjust? Do i need to keep them apart when i am not home? What do i need to do?
2007-09-17 15:38:38 · 5 answers · asked by megmatth6230 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Keep the 'new' cat in his own room with food, water, litter box, etc. They'll sniff each other under the door, and get used to each other that way. Once they both seem relaxed (maybe a week or two, maybe longer), open the door and let them begin to interact with supervision. Keep the first few sessions short so you don't stress them out too much. Gradually, let them be together for longer periods. Let them set the pace - don't try to rush things. Eventually, they should be able to at least co-exist.
2007-09-17 15:49:21 · answer #1 · answered by daa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When a new cat is brought into your home when you already have a cat, it's usually a stressful time for both. The secret is to introduce the new cat very gradually, and by gradually I mean even up to a month, there is no time limit on how long it will take.
First of all, you need to give the new cat a room of its own, shut away from the original cat. It will need its own litter tray, food/drink bowls and sleeping mat.
Play with and stroke the new cat to make sure you're covered with its smell. Then go play with the established one so that it can smell the new one, and vice versa.
Once they are used to the smell, they are allowed to see each other. Put the new one in its pet carrier, so that they'll be kept separated but can see each other.
Once they are used to that, they can finally meet in the flesh.
Each of these stages needs to be done thoroughly and can take days/weeks.
Any new cat being introduced into a cat household will result in hissing and aggression. This is because the leader needs to be confirmed.
You need to leave them to it as it is natural behaviour. All you need to do is monitor it to make sure it doesn't get out of hand and the confrontation doesn't become violent. Be warned, cat fights are very vocal but usually sound a lot worse than they are. It should settle down on its own as it's rare cats in a multicat household don't get on.
Good luck! :-)
2007-09-19 11:28:05 · answer #2 · answered by Maria D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar situation and this could go either way. It could be uneventful or it could be a nightmare, so prepare for the worst.
If at least one of you is the type of person who cannot stand the thought of cats marking their territory on your carpet I would advise you to find a good home for one or both of your cats.
If you and your fiance are both flexible and love the cats more than your "stuff" then tough it out.
When this happened at my mom's house (worst case scenario) it was heartbreaking. Mom's stuff was too precious to her and we both agreed to get rid of our cats. (I had the freaked-out female who we think was spotting the corners. What a stench.)
On the flip side I have friends who love their cats more than their stuff. They even invested the time in "cat psychotherapy" or something like that involving cage training and lots and lots of patience to get their male to stop spotting carpets, so perhaps it's possible to work through it if it turns bad. But you and your fiance should be agreed on a course of action.
I hope you don't have to deal with that heartache but your marriage is more important that the cats who will adjust to new situations if it is necessary.
I would definitely advise pre-empting the problem as much as possible to maintain harmony in your marriage. The first year is so vitally important. If you keep the cats agree on specific actions and criteria to determine success or failure. Agree on the course of action if it is a failure so that no one is hurt or surprised if it comes to that.
All the best to you! I hope it goes well!
2007-09-17 22:51:36 · answer #3 · answered by Luxcursor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She will most likely adjust to the newcomer. She may never become best friends with him but she will most likely accept him. When you introduce them act like its no big deal that there is a new cat. If there is a small confrotation between the two dont freak just let them work it out and set up there own new boundries with each other. And maybe hire a kitty sitter for your honeymoon.
Have a great wedding!!!
2007-09-20 21:46:53 · answer #4 · answered by Sabrina R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
over time they will adjust, but to be safe keep them apart when you both are away atleast for several months.
2007-09-17 22:41:39 · answer #5 · answered by captsnuf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋