How can I tell if my kitty is OK with other cats?

Question

We've had our kitty since Feb. and are thinking of getting him a buddy next month. The thing is, he's kind of a fraidy cat. Anytime people come over, he runs and hides. I'm guessing he isn't as afraid of animals, of course. In his foster home, he was surrounded by cats and a dog and was fine - but that was a long time ago and we just can't tell if he'll be ok with another cat or if he prefers being an only child. Would a trial run visiting a friend's cat maybe help?

Answer 1

Visiting someone else's pet may not be the best, it'll be the stress of a new pet, PLUS a new enviroment. Perhaps them bringing their cat over to your place, would be better suited.

Or, if you find a cat that you like at the local shelter, you can ask about the idea of ''foster-to-adopt''. Find out if your home is accepting of the new guy before agreeing to adopt him. If it doesn't work out, you can just bring the kitty back to the shelter.

By the way, just because your cat may/may not like one other cat, doesn't mean he'll dislike them all. My adult cat dislikes males & kittens, but is fine with adult females (found this out by fostering for a local rescue).

Answer 2

I am an owner of 4 cats.It's not a good idea to throw 2 cats together when they don't know each other.That's asking for trouble! The best way to introduce a new pet is to keep the new moggie in a room with the door shut.Make sure there is a small gap underneath the door.This way your first cat can smell the newie from a distance yet feel safe. Let this go on for about 2 days.Be sure the new moggie has food, water & a kitty litter tray in the room. Stand back & observe the reactions.Do the same in the room with the new kitty.After 2 days,open the door slightly so the two can see each other.Then just let them take it from there.Just another piece of advice,let the new cat get familiar with the new surroundings for a few more days b4 letting it outside.(That is if you're in a house or unit.) Allow only short stays outside at first & stay with the moggie.You don't want it scaling the fence & disappearing.Also,be a responsible owner & have your pets desexed.You don't want to have any unwanted babies,be they from your cats or someone elses.Good luck & enjoy the new company.

Answer 3

No going to your friends cat's house would not help. You have to introduce them properly. When the new cat arrivels place it in a small room(like a bathroom). Let them smell each-other under the door. This also gives the cat some time to get use to the new scents and smells. Remeber cats have like 3000Times our scence of smell. Give it a week, then slowly let the new cat out. It is not good to only have one cat. They are more anti-social, they scratch more. Bite more. And tend to be meaner. If you have 2 cat, they learn was is good and what is not. They get to be more social with there new friend and humans as well. I say going to a friend's cats house test something, is a bad idea cause again the new scents and smells and other stuff. When the new cat comes, your cat will probley be curious. When you let them out to see each other after getting used to the new house, they might hiss and scratch and fight. But it is OK. If it doesn't stop majorly in a MONTH or more, that could be a bad sign. Talk to your vet or the place you adopted the newer cat. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Much depends on the personality of the cat you get as your kitty's buddy. It will probably work out best if both are neutered. Since your cat is a fraidy-cat, a more friendly animal would be better, rather than one that is also more anxious and/or more dominant. A younger animal would also be easier for your kitty, rather than one is older, larger, and possibly already used to being in a dominant position.

Introduce them by putting your cat in a small room with one door, like a closet or bathroom, where he is comfortable. Entice him to play with you under the door with cat toy on a stick. You can buy these at any pet store just use a plain short stick. (But a stick toy with a feather or something on it is much more fun!)

Introduce your new cat on the other side of the door from your kitty and your two cats will soon be playing "footies" under the door. When they are comfortable with this and seem to want to meet, open the door a crack and let it happen. Hold the door open just a bit. Don't let the new cat charge through the door and corner your kitty in the closet! If there is any aggression, close the door again and proceed more slowly. If the meeting proceeds smoothly, open the door wider so they can get a better look and smell of each other.

Good luck with your new friend!

Answer 5

You have to introduce them properly. When the new cat arrivels place it in a small room(like a bathroom). Let them smell each-other under the door. This also gives the cat some time to get use to the new scents and smells. Remeber cats have like 3000Times our scence of smell. Give it a week, then slowly let the new cat out. It is not good to only have one cat. They are more anti-social, they scratch more. Bite more. And tend to be meaner. If you have 2 cat, they learn was is good and what is not. They get to be more social with there new friend and humans as well. I say going to a friend's cats house test something, is a bad idea cause again the new scents and smells and other stuff. When the new cat comes, your cat will probley be curious. When you let them out to see each other after getting used to the new house, they might hiss and scratch and fight. But it is OK. If it doesn't stop ma

Answer 6

I don't think that a trial run w/visiting a friends cat is a good idea. I think in time the cat will come around and will become more friendlier and sometimes getting the cat fixed is also a way to make the cat less agressive and scarce. the cat will come around the just give it time and it is always a good idea to have another cat int he house b/c believe it or not a cat can become lonely. It will take some time to get used to the other cat and there will be alot of hissing and growling but after a few weeks things will be fine.

Answer 7

I would say yeah sure why not give this kitty a trial run and just see how he interacts with other kittens if he starts acting rebellious and starts doing things that he wasn't doing before AND BELIEVE ME YOU WILL KNOW HOW HE WAS BEFORE THIS KITTEN AND HOW HE IS AFTER , CAUSE these animals are kinda like children they are jealous ,afraid , bitter and just about everything a child would be . THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN LITTLE PERSONALITIES THOUGH . So best advice here I can give is just watch these animals Very carefully and see how things go for about a week or even two and then you can make a decision on whether this other cat stays or goes !! Go luck . Also one more thing be careful where you get this other cat from . The Humane Society will probably be the best , but in any case No Newspapers of any kind you don't KNOW what kind of cat that you might end with and or from whom . I say this, cause I gotta a "dog" here awhile back and the people I got it from wasn't a good Idea at ALL . !! BE ALERT AND WATCHFUL WITH ANY ANIMAL FOR THAT MATTER .

Answer 8

I don't think a trial run with another cat would help you. Your cat might get along with your friends but not with the new kitten. I have a male cat, I had him for 1 year or so and adopted another kitten not to long ago. It's a female. I had her in a cage for about 30 minutes, just so they get to smell each other. When I let her out my male was hissing at her and took off. The female as small as she was had no fear. She went right behind him. It took about 2-3 days of hissing and my male hiding in the closet, but now they are best buddies. Just give it a little bit of time and keep an eye on them. I have a dog too and the little female walked right up to him (its a Lab) the first day, smacked him on its nose, and now they are chasing each other and playing together. So, good luck, like I said be patient.

Answer 9

Taking your cat to your friend's house may not be the best route. Considering you would be taking your cat out of his comfort zone. I have had many many cats growing up and have learned through the years that the best way to introduce a new little buddy, is to let them do it on their own, naturally. Forcing the situation upon them Will not have good results for either. It probably won't be easy at first but just give them time to adjust maybe through a door or just at opposite ends of a room to start. And hey, since your cat is a fraidy cat, giving him a friend might help to build his confidence.. That has been the case for me though experience. Good luck! :)

Answer 10

our kitty was just like your kitty. Afraid of everything. We got her as an abandonded 12 week kitten who had two brothers who were hit in the road (dropped off in a box with their mom), and the mom was killed too.

About two years later, we introduced a new kitty, and she was afraid, but curious. She would run and hide or hiss at the other kitten who was about a 9 month old stray.

She eventually (two weeks) became friendlier with the stray, and now they are best friends. In fact the older cat has gone outside a couple of times and not freaked out, because her buddy was outside with her

It took some time, but she did adjust.

I would not do a trial run, it would be as if someone were bringing people into your life, then pulling them away. I would just bring a cat in and see how it goes, giving plenty of time to adjust.

Cats have a way of working out things

Answer 11

Introduce them slowly. It may take weeks, even months of having the "new kid" confined to a room. They can get used to eachother's scents and sounds through the closed door. Then, when that is going well, open the door. Make sure you supervise all visits during the introduction process! Give your first cat lots of positive praise and assurance. Even give both cats a few treats so they'll associate being together with rewards. Expect some hissing and swatting-- they have to establish "who's in charge." I have 3 cats and this method has worked great every time. Another great tool to use is the Feliway plug-in and spray. (It's synthetic feline "happy" pheromones, simulating the scent they leave when they rub their faces on things.) I swear by it. It helps keep them more calm and helps with inappropriate urination as well.