Slowly, don't force them on each other. Start out by putting the new kitty in a seperate room, this allows them to get used to each others scent without getting upset about their territory being intruded upon. Then allow the new kitty out. There will probably be some fights, I won't lie to you, but eventually they'll get used to each other. Doesn't mean that they'll like each other, but they'll accept the other one's presence. It can take up to a full year before they get along, if ever. Good luck.
2007-11-24 10:21:23
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answer #1
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answered by whistler45 4
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I know all about this. I lived with cats all my life. If it is an old female cat and you are still looking for a cat you should not get another female. Cats are set up in matriarchs. The females are mainly dominant. To introduce the new cat you should let them work it out for themselves. This doesn't mean that you should let them pick on each other but don't force them to interact. When they do interact make sure that they are not fighting if they do separate them and give them both some attention not just the new cat.
if it is a male you will most likely have no major problems. if you put a female in with the male make sure that the female doesn't pick on the male. and give them both the same amount of attention
2007-11-24 18:50:12
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answer #2
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answered by skatelate 3
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It is best to start very slowly, this can help prevent unwanted behaviour such as spraying urine to mark territories. We just went through this with 2 adult male cats who have been "only cats" for most of their lives. We put one cat in a bedroom and allowed the other to roam the house. Then every few days, we would switch them. That way, they can get used to the scent of the other cat without any anxiety about fighting. After 2 weeks of this and allowing them to talk from across the door, we allowed the 2 cats out together, always making sure that the less dominant cat had a place to escape to-such as a high perch, the top of the couch, etc. I always recommend having at least one more litter box than number of cats, (ex. for 2 cats you should have 3 litter boxes.) This can help make the transition easier, so one cat cannot antagonize the other while using the box, and they never really have competition. Our cats did very well and now they even play together and sleep on the back of the couch together. Good luck!!
2007-11-24 18:31:42
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answer #3
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answered by Katie M 1
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The first two respondents provided the "standard" answer - it works for some.
We have three cats, after the vet checked each new one, we just introduced them. All three of ours are male (fixed). The oldest one, which we have had the longest, is the Alpha and is an unbelievably tolerant and friendly cat. He loves strangers and accepts other animals with no issues. If another cat (or dog) bothers him to much, he just smacks them against the wall or pushes them down the stairs - and they behave after that. Or second cat was not initially too fond of our third - but within a couple of days they were playing together.
Our Alpha (Beau) is a 17 lbs mixed Himalayan - very confident, and friendly. He is not fat, but is solidly built. Our 2nd is a 12 lbs mut, he was a typically scaredy cat when we got him - and about six months old then - now about 3 yrs old. In the coming months he settled down, which had a great deal to do with Beau's personality. Our third is now 19 months old, we got him when he was 13 months old. He is now a 20 lbs skinny kitten. He will be full grown in two years or so.
2007-11-24 18:33:00
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answer #4
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answered by Nigel M 6
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I brought my mom-in-law's full grown 5 yr old female tortoiseshell into my house with a territorial 7 yr old female Maine coon who doesn't like anybody. There was a bit of hissing and unlady-like behavior for a few days, but they settled down pretty soon, and now
they are comfortable in the same house, even taken to stalking each other and playing chase the cat every so often, At this minute they are sleeping 2 feet away from each other. Then I brought home an Abyssinian kitten, 3 months later, and the tortie adopted him. Then she did like every mother cat, and drove him off to let him fend for himself, and his feeling were terribly hurt for a while, but he got over it. The Maine coon just spit at him a few times and then ignored him, and she still does. She regards him like a juvenile pest, beneath her attention, and lets him know it periodically, but he doesn't pay any attention to her opinion. There does not seem to be any heirarchy among them; the Maine coon slaps the tortie around every once in a while, but the tortie slaps back just as hard. The Aby is his own man (but neutered). He has made friends with all the neighborhood cats, even bringing them home to play. Every now and then I find one that he has brought into the house!
I have never had any trouble introducing a new cat, I have had everyhing from Siameses to alley cats, and after the first day or so, everything was at a reasonably peaceable truce. But then, I have never had anything other than well-behaved cats, as cats go.
2007-11-24 19:17:07
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answer #5
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answered by Isadora 6
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The best way is to put them in separate rooms for a few days, with the door closed. Let them hear and smell each other under the door. YOU spend time with each of them INDIVIDUALLY, and the cats will get used to the other's smell on your clothes. After they stop hissing/growling at each other under the door, have someone hold one of them, while you hold the other, and be in the same room. That way, they can see what/who they've been hearing/smelling. If they act like they won't fight, put them down, but be ready to separate them again, if needed. This doesn't usually take very long, and if the new cat is a kitten, the old cat will probably "adopt" it. If they're both female, that MIGHT not happen, tho. Sometimes older females don't like younger females "invading" their territory. They accept male kittens much easier, for some reason! Good luck....hope this helps.
2007-11-24 18:27:07
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answer #6
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answered by brutusmom 7
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You asked the right question. This summer I brought a male cat home after living with my female cat for 3 years. She is not thrilled. I just kept him in a separate room with food/water and litter box for a week but took him out and played in the living room every 3 to 5 hours. The female still is the Queen of the house, but the male is doing great(getting fat)
2007-11-24 18:22:04
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answer #7
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answered by Ellie 5
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i personally dissagree with the whole process of introducing them slowly. I really think cats need to just adjust the way they decide to on their own. They are very independent and I thnk it helps them if they feel like they are in control of the situation. I just let my cats get used to one another on their own and it worked out just fine....yes they hated one another at first, but i think it caused less confusion.The less dominant cat( usually the male) will probably hide, so just make sure you do give them their own time at the food/water bowl. I tried both methods and this way worked alot better for me. Within 2 days, they were laying on the couch next to one another....and now, after a year, they are best friends. I think all cats and every situation will be different but i think locking one up in another room is just confusing to them....they dont know how to act or adjust to the situation. When you have them out and around one another, they can realize, " well, this is the way its gonna be, so i better get used to it" and they do! But.....it DOES take time and PATIENCE!! i thought i was going to loose my mind the first night with all the growling and hissing...but it gets better and totally worth it!
2007-11-24 21:43:55
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answer #8
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answered by Andrea B 1
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recently i got a new cat and boy was it hard to get them to like eachother. you have to let them smell each other. hold the older cat so it does not try to harm it .your cat may throw a hissy fit . mine did she peed everywere. usually keep them seperated but occaisionly let them together GRADUALLY!!
soon they will learn to live with each other.mine did
2007-11-24 21:34:28
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answer #9
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answered by seamonster . 6
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you have to let them short it out them selfs there is nothing u can do
2007-11-24 18:23:55
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answer #10
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answered by ? 2
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