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.
30 Comments
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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.
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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
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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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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….
- 7
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..????
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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
- 9
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
- 10
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?
- 11
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
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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.
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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???? - 14
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
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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.
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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!
Michele - 17
i have a stray cat and he has been in the family for 2 years now and i want to get a kitten, but im worried if i get a kitten my original cat will hate me and he will resent us and run away or turn on the new kitten that i want. Will this happen ?
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We have an 8 year old cat Misha and we love her very much. We were told a woman who owns a farm found a litter of 6 kittens. We were looking to have a new kitten, so we drove out to get one. When we got there we saw how nice and playful they were, so we decided to get 2; a boy and a girl. Misha was very curious, so she jumped up on to the counter and sniffed their carrier. They immediately jumped back and hissed. We had forgotten them getting used to each other would be a problem. What should we do?
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I’m taking care of my sister’s kitten while she’s on a month long trip. I also have a three and a half old cat and as soon as he saw her, the hissing, spitting, and menacing growling began. First they would just edge closer and closer to eachother, and the kitten would growl and hiss when he came too close and she’d jump back. Then they started attacking eachother and that’s when I got alot more stressed and worried. I don’t know what to do and I really need help. I don’t like them fighting like this and if one gets seriously injured then it’s a big problem. Could someone please please help me!!!
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We are getting a 8 week female kitten and we have to introduce it to a 2 year old male cat who is half a wild cat. I don’t want to make the male cat (Toby) get upset but we also don’t know what to do to stop them being horrible to each other and make their life miserable. We don’t want one of them to get hurt and we also don’t want one to be jealous of the other. Toby can be very vicious sometimes!! I don’t want one of them to run away. What should we do? Any suggestions would be of great help!
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we got our eldest cat , molly, from friends of my cousins,. she was bad used by a old man and was really scared to start with but finally came to us, and in the end she’s a big sook. we recently got a little kitten, charley.- we were really worried for molly but though it would be great company. for the first week we kept them separated, letting themmeet a couple of times a day molly was not impressed to start with but now i think shes really funny. the little one has taken out mollys kitten side too, they chase eachother around the house playing…i suppose there will be sum jelousy as its a new kitten but we treat both the cats the same… they get fed at the same time, although theres hissing, spitting and the odd little fight theyr the best of chums:) same with treats and played with. to be honest introducing a kitten was not as bad as i thought it would be and am really glad i did it now:D.
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Hello. I got a new kitten today
my dog seems fine with her but my other cat Ozzy was fine at first but now he hisses at willow (new kitten) when ever she gets near him. we don’t have a room for “isolation” does anyone have any ideas?
thankyou. - 23
Ok so i have two cats and just took one in as a rescue. My two cats are a male and a female that are ages 5 and 13. The male being the oldest. This cat that i brought in about 4 months ago refuses to get along with my cat tucker who is 13. They are both males and I was wondering if all of this could still work. I live in Alaska so it will be getting cold soon and i need them to get along. All three mean very much to me and only chase and tucker get along. Shadow came from an abusive family he is alomost one but he is full size. So I was wondering if that could stll work even though he is so grown up. If anybody could help it would be a blessing because they mean so much to me. I know i should have done my research but I didnt really have time due to the circumstances.
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Hi all,
I have a one year old cat Kiki who refuses to go near the blanket we have our new kittens scent on and only comes to see the new kitten Puma behind a barrier for a few minuteswhere she tends to hiss once or twice then just sniffs it.
Kiki will sit in the same room as the kitten but the minute the kitten starts crying runs away and hides from everyone.Can I take this as being normal as I know Kiki is feeling very neglected even by my brother who terrorises her on an hourly basis who no longer comes near her but she does not seem to even wanted to sleep on my bed at the moment.
- 25
We have a seventeen year old, indoor, female cat. About four months ago we found a six month, male, stray we decided to bring home.We got him fixed and allowed six weeks to get all of his hormones out of his system. We followed everyone’s advice about a safe area for one of the cats, introducing scent and gradually introducing them. We even bought this rather expensive bottled scent that mimics a “friendly” scent for cats. It’s been several months and the older cat is attacking the younger one daily. We have separated them the best we can. Our vet tells us it is possible for some cats to never get along. Is this really true?
- 26
A lot of it boils down to smell and territory. I still have 2 x 8 year olds who can’t stand the addition of two kittens – 21 months ago! There are books on this sort of thing that are proving very useful in getting into the psychology of the cat!
- 27
I know this convo happened a while ago but seems to be a good response for this so just wanted your thoughts! I moved in with my boyfriend recently and we both have cats – a male ( age 4) and female (age 4). We brought the female to the flat first because she is a bit of a princess and let her settle in. Then we brought the male and put him into insolation (as advised) for a week or so. We tried the feeding technique but the female just flatly refused to eat. Meanwhile the male (now feeling quite at home) wants to be out of his little room all the time. So under supervision we let them meet for periods of time on their own – they haven’t fought at all but female won’t stop hissing. Male just wants to be friends and I think is a teeny bit stressed as now has a poorly tummy…he still wants to be out all the time though. This has been happening for about 3 weeks now. Not really sure what else to try because the male is really not happy being cooped up?
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I was given a lovely kitten for xmas (runt of a litter), but she is sweet – however my 5yr old seemed to have ’swelled’ up and has not stopped hissing and growling despite my cuddling and reassuring her (Tatianya) – the little one (Peeps) is (I’m sure feral) and runs around without a care but hops unto my neck when the hissing begins. I had to have my persian put to sleep @ the age of 18 1/2yrs last Dec, and I thought I would get company for Tatianya – but waited for 1 year to pass, as I do know animals greive.
I’m adamant in keeping the kitten but fear fur flying when I’m @ work! Any suggestions? Thank you, from Lisa - 29
In response to ‘Penny’ (10th Feb’ 09) – I have been a cat owner for 20yrs and even the best cat lovers get it wrong sometimes, hence my ‘research’! Not ignorant – merely concerened that’s why I was up half the night ‘researching….
John, from ‘loving your cat’ (24th Nov’ 09) got it right in one..Psychology of the cat/s..thank you, much appreciated and worked! Forget the bum sniffing/nose 2 nose – I simply took both in my arms and held without any scratches inflicted and once they eased up with the hissing, kissed both on their noses (even though the older one was hostile) – placed their food together and left them to it and it worked. I refuse to aileniate them in seperate rooms as this makes the problem worse. This morning @ 6am while the kitten was nuzzling my neck the older (Tatianya) came on the bed and moved closer which was a shock as she didn’t attempt this from the 24th Dec’…so ‘we’ are getting there slowly – may take another few months for the washing/cuddling of each other, but I’m supervising albeit a tad knackered, but I refuse to surrender, and after all this is MY HOME…yes, the older one has had her ‘paw’ in the door first but this little one is also deserving of my love and I have ample to go around – but I shall call a halt now as to ever having another cat – I’m aiming for a new addition…Baby
Thank you John, the psychology was the best advice…Lisa. - 30
Yeah um i dont know how old this is Topic is but i have two cats,
Buttons and Socks ( tee hee ) And we recently brought in a stray which we named JR (( he looks like socks )) Buttons and Jr are boys and socks is the girl, Socks just hates Jr! Everytime he is near her she lets out this horrible growl while hissing!! Buttons sometimes has no problem with him, but other times he will leap at him and scare the crap out of Jr. D: How do i fix this?? We’ve had Jr for about three months already. (( Jr is not mean, and is actually very scared of both cats x.x ))
Put butter on its paws to stop it running away!