Bringing stray cat into house with other cat?

Question

There is a stray/semi-feral (I'm not sure) who has lived around my apartment for 3 years (according to others). I just moved here in August and at first he wouldn't let me touch him, but gradually he's let me pet him and scratch him and even hold him twice. For the past week, he's jumped into my lap while I was in a chair outside and after he got comfortable he fell asleep there. He's the sweetest thing and I feed him daily and pet him daily several times. He is very fond of me and vice versa. My first step would be taking him to the vet, of course, but I'd really like to adopt him. The only problems are 1) I have a very spoiled indoor cat named Fancy (she) that I've had for almost 2 years and she's seen Shadow (stray) through screen door a few times and just looked at him (swatted at him on 5th time of contact through screen door) and then she's been mad at me after she smells him on me. I am afraid they won't get along and my cat will hate me. Has anyone ever been in this situation?

Answer 1

An adult cat is pretty territorial, but, that doesn't necessarily mean that she won't accept him eventually.. Cats in general, do not approach one another offering friendship.. Their initial approaches are mostly Big, Bad and Defensive to try to scare away the intruder..
I would try it anyhow.. I introduce new fosters to my home frequently and my adult cats don't seem to even care..
But, you do have to go about it a very specific way.
Here's a very good "how-to" ...
http://www.triadspca.org/education/educ_catnewhome.html
Because it's a stray, I'd keep it in it's own room for about 2 weeks to let your cat get used to the smell, and to make sure it wasn't incubating any kind of disease that wasn't noticed when you brought him to the vet..
Also, know that it can take several months for cats to interact well together.. Though, some adapt in a matter of days or weeks..

Answer 2

Bringing In A Stray Cat

Answer 3

It is very common. It all has to do with being the alpha cat. The smells of the other cat has brought out a challenge, and she is miffed at you. (You are 'cheating' on her).

By the way, Fancy would never consider herself 'spoiled'.

It is impossible to state how long it will take for them to get along well, but time usually heals all problems. Sometimes they simply ignore each other, showing what we would consider resentment at each other. It can be from days to weeks, and in the meanwhile, you need to assure Fancy that you still love her. What will happen during the introduction time is the decision between them of which cat will be the alpha cat. There can be only one alpha cat, and that is not a constant. And size really doesn't matter all that much either.

There are a number of approaches to introductions. My method is to do it when I have a reasonable length of time to be around, and simply put them together. You will learn quickly if there will be any serious issues. You can expect hisses and growls, and even swatting. But it is rare for blood to be drawn. The other approach is a slow introduction, but that is not easy living in an apartment.

You will need to have at least two litter boxes, and another thing that really helps is vertical separation. By that, can one cat cross the room at a different level than the other cat, such as jumping onto furniture while the other cat is on the floor?

Answer 4

Definitely get him to the vet first. Cats can carry feline HIV and feline Leukemia. I believe both of these ailments can be transmitted through saliva and you run the risk of infecting Fancy. After you get a clean bill of health, place the new cat in it's own room with his own food, water and litter. Place Fancy's food dish by the door of Shadow's room. The idea behind this is that Fancy will relate a good thing (food) with Shadow's smell. Introduce them slowly - a few minutes together at a time. The process may be slow, but cats aren't like dogs - they won't duke it out and establish a hierarchy so introducing them appropriately is important. Also, be prepared for the idea that Fancy might not adjust to another cat. Some cats need to be 'the only cat' - it's just the way it is! Good luck!!

Answer 5

I had this problem a few years ago. My mom got sick and could no longer take care of her cat. She was really sweet and I didn't want her going to the pound so I adopted her. I had my own very territorial and tempermental male cat so I just prayed they would get along. I kept the new cat in a different room and gradually introduced them a little each day. They got into a fight once over my bed but gradually got used to each other. They are definitely not friends but they don't fight either. The most that happens now is that the male chases the female and she runs under the bed. I had my doubts when I first brought Monique home but my vet says it is very rare for them not to learn to tolerate each other. The cat sounds darling so I think it is worth a try. Good luck. I am glad I gave it a chance. =)

Answer 6

everyones anwsers are pretty much right on. It really is just trial and error, some cats will eventually accepet each other and some won't. but in the begining they will hiss and huch up at each other, trying to prove who is the alpha cat. All I can say is try it. You might be suprised. If it doesn't work out between the cats it will be easiser to find it a new home once it has been inside for a while

Answer 7

I brought in a stray, and while carrying him into the apartment, my cat was swatting at my legs, like she was telling me to put him back outside. lol
I kept him for a month. The cats having short supervised time together, and the rest of time being in separate rooms (they took turns being allowed free roam of the house).
Unfortunately, my cat wasn't accepting him, but I found him a great home.
It's really just trial & error (and patience!) to try and get the cats to accept each other. My cat accepted a female cat, but not the male. They all have their preferences.

Answer 8

I brought in a stray cat a few months ago. At first my 2 cats, whom I've had since birth, were very skeptical. It took them at least 2-3 weeks to get used to the little stray, Luna. Now they play all the time. They don't get jealous if they see me holding her. It's like she's been part of the family for a long time. :-)

Hope it works out! :-)

Answer 9

We've taken in two of the local strays and they get along ok. The first was recuperating from injuries down in our basement for 4 weeks so they all smelled him, that one was an easy cat to introduce to three adult cats.

The second cat they had smelled under the door from outside for long enough that when he was allowed inside they all were pretty much ok with him, except for one of our cats who kept at least 8 feet away from him for about 4 months.

Answer 10

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Bringing stray cat into house with other cat?
There is a stray/semi-feral (I'm not sure) who has lived around my apartment for 3 years (according to others). I just moved here in August and at first he wouldn't let me touch him, but gradually he's let me pet him and scratch him and even hold him twice. For the past week, he's...