Ok for all of those that are thinking that this is just a referral to my popular “shaven pussy” post it can’t be further from the truth.
9 days ago me and Becky adopted a little black cat, from a friend of Rory (my hardware engineer). We already have a 13 – 14 year old cat (cork) so I don’t quite know what we were thinking bringing a little 1 year old cat into the house thinking all would be well. We did have plans to get a kitten when Cork has Karked it but we just happened upon this homeless little cat.
Our first thought last week when we first got Poppy (we renamed her from Salem) was that we’d just introduce the 2 cats to each other and all would be well. How wrong we were when the mother of all cat fights started! They say that cats fighting is the worst noise there is and it’s pretty horrific. Needless to say we decided that it was a bad option…. so what were we to do?
The answer is that when you introduce a new cat you have to do it slowly, and create an isolation room for the new cat (includes food, bed, litter tray), while the existing cat has the run of the house. Slowly you introduce the scent of the new cat to the old cat and vice versa. You can also put the existing cat in the isolation room while the new cat gets some freedom in the house. We had some hissing and spitting when the cats happened to see or smell each other but this has gradually subsided. The new cat was even out in the garden at the weekend and caught a bird … so was definitely settling in.
Anyway after a careful week of slowly introducing the 2 cats together it is amazing how adaptable they are. I was amazed how my old grumpy cat has just accepted the new cat, and amazed how the new cat has got used to us and got into a routine.
16 Comments
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27th June 2008 @ 08:56
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It’s all about smell. The cats sent glands are on their whiskers I think. I’ve heard you take a damp rag and wipe your current cat in the place mentioned above. You then repeat on the new cat to bound the smells. And Repeat.
You create a clan smell thats a combination of all your cats and you. I think that would work faster than the method above.
30th June 2008 @ 15:06
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@Toby Graham the clothes thing does work but be prepared for the hissing in your direction when you take the scented clothe to the new cat !
Dave
30th June 2008 @ 15:28
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I just got a kitten Siamese as a companion for my 5 year old Siamese. Thought they would get along well since my cat likes other cats in general. WRONG. My 5 year old hisses everytime the new cat comes near. The new cat just looks at him and avoids him when he starts hissing. So for now, the new cat is in the isolation room. But they both smell each other’s scents. Old cat doesn’t hiss at new cats scent, just when he comes near. I’m so disappointed.
1st July 2008 @ 17:48
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Ok its not SEM related, and I’m not a cat lover but I will keep this in mind when I get a new dog.
4th July 2008 @ 15:34
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I have 2, 3 year old siamese male cats and have just got a female kitten. Its only day 2, but my 2 boys who are brothers and usually get on sooo well are hissing and growling at each other let alone the new cat. Its so distressing and I hope they all learn to be happy together….
12th July 2008 @ 07:43
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Oh lord - I don’t know what to do now..! It’s day one and we’ve just introduced them through home made bars (thanks the 3 patio chairs..!) - all seemed ok, no hissing or spitting but I tried to give a cuddle to my oldy and he was having none of it. Is he just sulking or does he now hate me..????
16th July 2008 @ 20:34
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Kirsty .. No the Old is just a bit miffed that you smell like the new cat has well… it will pass
17th July 2008 @ 09:16
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I’v recently got a 2 month old cat and allready have a 1 year old cat the little one keeps on hissing and the old cat juststares but sometines hisses any suggestions? thanks
michael
18th July 2008 @ 21:03
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My sister and I discovered a stray cat and her kitten wondering at night in our yard. We were going inside to check if we could keep it and it accidentally got in our house and our older cat started a cat fight imeediatly and we didnt know what to do so we just through the stray outside back w/ her kitten. That was the end of that. We are still trying to introduce them. The stray will stay on the outside of the padio door and our cat will stay in the inside but they cant seem to get used to each other like that.
Any Segustions?
24th September 2008 @ 17:23
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My wife and I have a 6-7 month old cat(Peanut) and we just bought a kitten whom is about 2 weeks old. They are both girls. We thought that Peanut would enjoy the company of another cat but we were wrong. Peanut doesn’t move in to fight but hisses and even made that aweful noise VERY LOUD!! Peanut is definetely much bigger and we don’t know whether to leave them alone or not. Should we just give them some time apart or is it time in the open house that will help them get to know eachother? Is it possible that Peanut will never like our new cat or is it possible that she will kill the new cat if we leave them alone? While we are home she just runs away from the kitten but will hiss and such too. I just don’t want a big cat fight…atlease while we aren’t home.
Any tips? I’d hate to get rid of the kitten but we just don’t know what to do if our other one doesn’t like the new one or will kill her
22nd December 2008 @ 21:37
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can’t believe how ignorant everyone is why don’t people do their research BEFORE they put cats together - how would you all like to come home and find a perfect stranger in your lounge, eating and drinking and cuddling your beloved, not very is the answer. Why should cats be any different. please please everyone do your research.
It takes a least a week of transferring smells (only when the cats look comfortable with the new smell will it be the right time - surely you know when your cat is happy)Then the cats should see each other through bars / or some kind of barrier - both being given treats at this time to associate the potential threat as non threatening and a nice thing.
This should go on for several more days - again ‘you’ as parent being aware if the cats are at ease.
Only and then only (about 2 weeks - don’t be impatience - it’s about your cats long term happiness not YOU at this point). Allow them in the same room - again plenty of treats.
Supervise these together moments for about 2 days - then once you’re happy, the cats will be allowed to meet and greet (nose to nose and bottom sniffing) - there is absolutely no need for hissing, growling or fighting if this procedure is followed.
Then within days you will be delighted at a harmonious household that you can enjoy for years to come - play together - eat together - sleep together.
Please put the cat first - if not you are obviously not a cat lover and I’m not sure why you got a cat.
xx good luck to all those who care and research well - you will have a happy household.
10th February 2009 @ 20:24
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Looking after a 4 month old kitten whilst my daughter & family on 3 wk holiday. My poor 3 yr old Oscar NOT amused at all. He’s already taken a dump in the litter tray ( even although he’s very much an outdoor guy!!) Guess he’s marking the litter tray ……….???!!!???
What else can I do to keep the peace for 3 weeks only? I’ve done the scent transfer thingy although it’s only been 48 hours. The low menacing growling, spitting and hissing is unnerving to say the least!!! ANY other BRIGHT IDEAS Folks????2nd March 2009 @ 14:46
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Hi
i had one cat he had my undivided attention then we bought two kittens cat number one did a lot of hissing but the kittens knew their place, basically on their backs neck exposed for dominant cat to bite their necks (this in normal submission don’t get scared but watch in case you need to intervene Ie cat crying)
They now get on well and sniff each others bums a little too often for me.
I have had them all neutered (a must with male cats)
I have now adopted an older black cat with bollocks and he is in the isolation room and a good thing as when the existing cats smelt him in his box they all legged it out the catflap. And the new cat is hissing at the smells of them on my hand. As said in other comments you must do this scent transfer very slowly and expect set backs. I in a few weeks will get the new one de bollocked so harmony can hopefully ensue. (fingers crossed).
i love cats and would have a 100 but we have now set a limit for at 4 plus the visiting female from next door. You have to think of the cats not yourself. Expect to give 6 months to this kind of a project if this does not work over 6 months then you may need to re-home the new cat in a home with no other cats but this should be a last resort.
Think just think of how the cats see their world and act accordingly.
Best of luck
13th May 2009 @ 20:55
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We have one 18month old female cat, she is our only one but we want to gety a playmate for her. We went to view some kittens today and have been advised that a small male maybe best but the kittens we looked at came as a pair (2 Brothers)and the current owner didn’t really want to seperate them. Is it a good idea to introduce two new cats into the home? I am just concerned that it will overwhelm my current cat. Or should I look around some more and just get one.
26th May 2009 @ 22:19
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i have a 3 y/o indoor/outdoor cat who i have fed for about a year(someone moved and left her). Slowly she came into the house and i captured her and took her to vet, etc.
We have a german shepherd whom she loves. We recently moved and took her with us. There are two family homes on the property. Cow-cat(my stray i adopted)is adjusting fine but the cat at the main house(inky), who is 9, wants to be her friend and she growls and is horrible. Last night he charged her b/c i think hes sick of being calm and walking around and receivng such attitude. Any advice? Im taking it as a good sign b/c if Inky(who has lived here for 5+ years was doing all this growling business it would be worse, right?). Any advice or hope? I never really wanted or had a cat but shes so sweet and part of th efamily now…but I am so worried!
Michele5th June 2009 @ 02:52
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