Hi there. Thanks to everyone who helped me with my cat kidney faliure question a few days ago : (. It was all so helpful, but little Felix passed away. I miss him terribly! : ( : ( He was just the sweetest.
There is an animal shelter in town, and I already had my eye on one kitty a couple of weeks ago for a friend. She didn't end up taking the cat, and I can't help thinking that we have space for another.
My husband (and rightly so) is worried that our female (spayed) adult cat is not going to be happy with the new addition. I strongly believe that though it will be tough at the beginning - it could be a good thing.
Our cat loves playing and was constantly trying to get Felix the angel to join in with her fun and games.
Has anyone done this before? Do you reccommend it? And lastly; any tips? Thanks so much.
2007-12-21 20:24:30 · 10 answers · asked by Snow Flake 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats are highly territorial, and initially she will view the new cat as an intruder. They also rely very heavily on their sense of smell and the new cat won't smell familiar to yours, which will be another reason she may hiss at it to begin with.
Ideally, you should confine the new cat to a separate room at first. This will give it chance to settle in to your home in peace, whilst picking up the "communal" scent of your home. Allowing your cat to have the run of the house, reassures her that she is still in control of the territory. After a couple of days, you can wedge the door open an inch or two, so that they get to meet each other by smell before you actually make any face to face introductions. The web site below has helpful step by step advice on how to do this.
http://www.tulsa-animalshelter.org/tips/intro%20cat.htm
This link also has good advice too.
http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm
When the cats are well behaved in each others company, reward them with food treats as this will help them associate each other with good things. A Feliway plug-in can help too, as they emit an aroma that cats find comforting, which can help calm a tense atmosphere. (You'll need to use it for at leat 3 weeks to see the full benefits.)
I don't know how close your female cat and Felix were, but she will notice his absence and may show signs of grieving for him. Some cats can become very distressed by the absence of a familiar friend and in those instances, it may be better to wait a little while before adopting a new cat as this will only stress them more. The web article "When Cats Grieve" has lots of information and advice that you may find helpful.
http://www.messybeast.com/cat-grief.htm
Hope everything works out okay.
2007-12-21 21:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We introduced adult males separately (got fixed that week too) to a household with three indoor adult cats, and it went just fine. The first was injured so he spent a month healing in the basement from a broken hip, they had plenty of time to smell him before he was introduced in the kitchen. He ignored them and they stayed 10' back from him and after a few hours they were all walking around ok.
The second male was not handicapped, was kept in the basement for 4 days then I blocked off the kitchen with the laundry basket and the humidifier and let him in the kitchen area. He hung out with me on the table as the others all got a good look at him from the top of the humidifier, and I put him back downstairs again after an hour. The next day I opened the door and they all stared at each other and then made a big point of ignoring the new guy.
The ONLY hassles we had were with the other male with the formerly broken hip, he pulled some tomcat posturing on the new guy, who promptly threw himself to the floor and started wailing like he was being killed, though the other was still 2 feet away. I came running, escorted them to different rooms, the other cat tried it two more times with the same results (screaming, then me separating them), and after that there was peace about it.
No squabbles after, no fights, no problems. All the cats were fed in different places in the kitchen with their backs to each other, and I would say their name when I put the bowl down in front of them. When they started feeling really comfortable with each other, the standard free - feeding bowl was put back out and they all just ate when they felt like it.
2007-12-22 13:44:33 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been in the position where I had 2 cats, 1 was run over and the other one mourned the loss of her friend. I decided to get another cat - but a kitten. This way the older cat could be the one in control and in a sense have a younger brother or sister to take care of.
The first few weeks are a bit of a 'hissy fit' so to speak. But one day you will find them curled up together sleeping and it truly is worth it and you will know you made the right decision.
2007-12-21 20:29:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have two adult cats and have just recently been blessed with a third that was a stray. So far the male has investigated but our female is living on my bed, refusing to come down and shedding. All of which are normal whenunder stress.
having done this before I know that it will pass and she will adjust once she has shown this to be her home too.
Go ahead and home the cat and yes it takes time but is well worth the effort.
2007-12-21 20:53:52 · answer #4 · answered by Caleb F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are oftentimes greater accepting of a kitten than an person kitty. save the hot kitty in a separate room for some days, enable the resident cats sniff around the door & get acquainted with the hot sent. Slowly introduce them prepared approximately a mutually as each and daily (supervised in case of a smack down). So, you will want a seperate muddle container & nutrients/water bowels for brand spanking new kitty for a mutually as. additionally, this methodology is solid for brand spanking new kitty because of the fact they sense greater preserve with their very very own quiet area. Now, with that mentioned.. the greater cats you have, the greater the percentages are which you may have habit problems out of one or greater. Overcrowding could be a difficulty. beside the point urinating ect.. merely something to think of approximately. My vet seems to think of in case you have adult males, you need to get a female. i'm undecided approximately that one. solid luck & God bless
2016-10-02 06:06:51 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you disturb an adult cat, by bring in another cat. It will feel left out and it will do some mean things. We have an adult male cat named Fat Fitz and he has been in our family for 7 years, and then a female cat came up to our home (drop off) so we brought her in. and Fitz has been a bad cat, he pooped in my husbands house shoe. He will not use the same liter box, he will not eat out of the same dish. He stays in the bathroom now. He's pissed at us. So be warned.
2007-12-21 20:32:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Been there, done that.
There's no way to guarantee compatibility between cats.
The only thing you can do is TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY -- food, potty, affection -- and hope for the best.
I have 12 cats and they ALL get along with no fights.
The worst problem -- and it is a big one -- is cats spraying indoors. You may have to boot those out permanently as there is no cure.
As I said, treat everyone equally and you'll have no problems.
2007-12-21 20:34:27 · answer #7 · answered by V2K1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not recommend a two-cat adult family.
2007-12-21 20:29:19 · answer #8 · answered by Baby Poots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a happy playful cat adapts better. its usually a kitten is introduced its like nothing
2007-12-21 20:28:06 · answer #9 · answered by crazzijimsmith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep them separated from a few days after they see each other.
Slowly let them get to know each other.
But you will have to be patient.
2007-12-21 20:28:07 · answer #10 · answered by b r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋