Introducing adult cat to new home with 3 other adult cats?

Question

How long should it take for the new cat to stop hiding from and hissing at the other three?

Answer 1

I had 2 cats (mother & daughter) and took in a stray just over 3 years ago.
About a year later the mother passed away - kidney failure :( but the daughter still doesn't like the stray and still hisses and hides.....3 years later! They kind of do stay out of each others way but when he wants attention or feeding or outside, he'll wind her up to get my attention...dam smart cat.
Must try the extract/essence on their tails/cheeks.

Answer 2

I would try (if possible) to introduce them one at a time very slowly and it would probably be best if they met somewhere on mutual grounds so none feels like their "space" i being invaded by a stranger so if they could meet at at someone elses house first it would probably go a bit smoother Of coarse it is not always so simple to get someone to lend you their home for a few hours while u slowly introduce each cat but I am sure no matter what soon enough they will all be at least able to tolerate eachother if not totally BFF :) Good Luck and have fun and if u cannot take them out of the home to meet the new guy then I would give the new kitty his own space for a few days with the door shut and spend lots of time with him and the other kittys so they do not feel jealous and let them smell around the door for a few days and even swap beds after a night so they can get a good sell of eachother to get used to it before meeting them after a few days One at a time let them meet and see how it goes it might take time or it might not but it will be fine either way good luck

Answer 3

I have two sisters that are 4 years old now. Recently we took in an approximately 6 month old starving stray, she is very shy with my other two. One of my cats thinks she's the queen (very demanding - verbally), the other is the quiet princess. The new one growls at the other two when they come near her because of being chased by other cats and apparently abused by previous owner. All I can do for myself and advice for you, is to step in when they start hissing at each other. If they get near enough to each other for you to pet the new one and one of the others, do that talk to them and reassure them while you're petting both cats. Give it time, the new one has been here for over a month now, and I'm still having a little trouble.

Answer 4

Oh, it can take a long, LONG time. Cats can be SO stubborn about accepting another cat! I've known it to take a YEAR.

Of course, I've also known it to take just a few days...

Honestly, unless there is some SERIOUS fighting, I wouldn't worry about it. They will work it out, even if it takes months. Think of it this way -- as long as they are dealing with each other, they aren't bored!

Answer 5

It really depends on the cat. If you are lucky they will learn to ignore each other.

We had one cat...then brought in a stray. Didn't like each other but learned to ignore and stay out of each others way. Sister moved back in, brought two cats, our first is a drama queen and they liked to pick on her. One of my sister's cats came here pregnant (because my sister was rather irresponsible...), had a litter of kittens, we kept two of the brothers, they love to pick on the drama queen and make her scream. Sister moved out again for a while...recently came back, reintroduced her two cats to our now four...they all respect the former-stray well, but the rest of them...well it's been an aggravation when they won't leave each other alone.

Answer 6

put the tinyest dob of vanilla exstract on each of their tails and a tiny bit on their cheaks so that they all smell the same and thy might stop hissing at each other sooner. hope i helped!!

Answer 7

Like bout' few weeks to get used to it, but then after some months they get along wit' each otha.