OT: Need QI advice

If they're both fixed, it probably won't be too bad. Certinaly, the is the possibility of one cat thinknig it "owns" you and your house. It may hiss and such for a while at each other.

We brought a third cat into the house about a year and a half ago. The two adult cats have never come to like her but do tolerate her now. This may be the case with your new kitten as well.

When we introduced everyone, we brought the two adult cats into the bedroom and then the third one with the door closed. It allowed everyone to see, smell and sniff in a controled area. Everything turned out fine and nobody was hurt or anything like that. I don't think the three of them will ever be best of buds. However, they all seem to eat out of the same dish and use the same litter box without too many difficulties.

Regards,

Rick Boesen Olivet, MI

Hi Louise,

I'm probably talking out of turn, because I've never actually had to introduce two strange cats. However, I considered it, so I did some reading on the cat newsgroup. There was a lady on there who wound up with two friendly cats, when the original cat had been extremely territorial and freaked out by any other cats. I think the cat was described as "Whirling Dervish" in the presence of any other cats. Ahem. Anyway, she said that when she brought the new cat home, she placed it in a comfy room and shut the original cat out. Naturally, they'd sniff under the door and play some pawsies. Since her first cat was the one who needed the transition, she began feeding the first cat outside the newcomer's door, so the cats would associate food with each other. Eventually, she opened the door, but kept them separated by a screen for awhile. After the process was complete the two cats were totally fine with each other. Because her first cat was so problematic, the process took 6 weeks. However, I suspect that all of this could be sped up considerably if the cats are more laid back than hers were--and in most cases totally unnecessary.

If it were me, I would start with the cats separated and see how they both act, then go from there. But that's just my 2 cents and as I said I have NO experience. ;-)

You're a good woman for adopting from a shelter. My cat came from a shelter too. Me? Eventually, I'm probably going to be one of those crazy old ladies with 10 cats. ;-)

I know what you mean about the dogs. I like dogs too.

I haven't tried it either but I'm thinking a lot depends on the cats. Seems like Jennifer brought Sammie home recently and her Winston thought it was a very good idea. About that same time, Pat on her Hill brought home a newcomer and things didn't go very well at first. We still hear from Pat so I reckon she survived. Michelle's suggestions make a lot of sense and you know, they could be great friends to begin with. Polly

This is true Polly! The one obstacle that I have found with my last 3 adoptions was the luminous collars and medals that accompanied each kitten from the humane society. Once the time came to remove the collars (after the vet visit for booster shots and exams) - about a week in each case, all animosity ceased. You might find that 2 males will want to have a litter box each - its a territory thing. Another hint to help the introductions is to use one brush on both cats and use treats from your hand to feed each of them at the same time. I am training Sammie to believe that she is #4 cat when it comes to treats

- she has learned to nibble > I haven't tried it either but I'm thinking a lot depends on the cats. =A0= Seems

Smile! All is now well, thank goodness. There is still some 'play' fighting with one of the other old cats; but I separate them, as I can't bear to see it! It was funny that the thing we made sure of was that the kitten had a place she could run to to escape the big cats. What it turned out that we needed was somewhere the old cats could run to to escape the kitten >g< What we did, though, in case it might be helpful to anyone, was to fix a brass hook to the door jamb and the other end of the assembly to the door, leaving just enough room, when the door was open, for the kitten to run through, but the gap was too small for the big cats. We've now reached the stage when the kitten is too large for the gap, so the door has to be left open. I have to take her food up and out of the way (very bad for old cats to eat kitten food). The food business is a nuisance - it will be 8 years before they are on the same food!! (age-related foods). They had been used to having food available at all times (dry), but they will now have to have feeding times. I will continue to have them sleep separately.

We did, at one stage in our cat-serving, consult a cat behaviourist. She said that play or feeding together was the best way to get them used to one another - with a distraction that 'both sides' enjoyed! . In message , Polly Esther writes

Thanks, Michelle. That's pretty similar to the handout that came from the humane society. I agree it sounds like a good way to do it, but I like immediate results! In my fantasy world, we bring #2 home, #1 thinks it's the smartest thing we ever did and we all live happily ever after! I'm hoping that since it's been only two months since #1 came to live with us, it won't be a major adjustment for him to have a companion join him, but we shall see.

I'm really hoping they get along from start, but not counting on it. Years ago I had a mature cat, brought home a kitten, and it was a disaster! Of course, I just kind of dumped them together (not knowing that wasn't the best way to do it), and the poor kitten was terrorized by mama cat. The baby spent most of his time behind the refrigerator (including using that area as a litter box), and I ended up having to give him away after several months. Now I realize I didn't handle things well at all, so I'm determined to be successful this time.

I was hoping you would have some good advice to share, and you came through! We plan to go out this morning and get a 2nd litter box and bed so we'll be prepared for the new arrival (the humane society calls him Rowdy - not sure if we're going to keep that name or not). Thanks for the hints about feeding them - hopefully we'll have as good of luck as you did.

I like the idea of playing and feeding them together - we'll see how that goes. Of course, I expect it'll be a couple of days for the new one to warm up to us and to his new home, so it may be a day or two before we get the chance to play together.

Thanks for your words of advice - it's good to hear from those who lived through it!

These are cats we are talking about, Louise! I think they invented the word 'unpredictable' >g< or even 'contrary' as well! They have almost unlimited patience, so you will have to find some from somewhere >g< . In message , Louise in Iowa writes

Smile - perhaps you could call him Rudi (short for Rudolf, because of the time of year)!!!!! . In message , Louise in Iowa writes

Rowdy? Roowwddddyy? Er, ummm.... have you thought about taking down your Christmas tree a little early? Sounds like your place is in for some real excitement. What fun. Polly

"Louise in Iowa" I was hoping you would have some good advice to share, and you came through!

At the risk of sounding like the Grinch or Bah, Humbug!, we didn't put a tree up. I know exactly where everything would be - Spookie (we kept his humane society name because we got him Halloween week) would be sleeping in the branches and all the ornaments would be scattered on the floor! Since we don't have Christmas at our house, no one will even miss the tree.

I do kind of like Patti's idea of naming him Rudi - if we leave it Rowdy, he may think he has to live up to his name. Actually, except for the vet records, I'm not sure why I worry about his name. I have yet to have a cat that came when I called him anyway (except for the one we named "Cat" - he actually did respond to that!).

Don't worry one second about the 50 one-earred mice. I make my quilts sturdy. Polly

The mice are in the sewing room behind a closed door right now! There are just too many things in there that Spookie finds enticing - the least of which might be the mice!

Louise

Hi Louise,

I think there is a good chance the introductions won't need to be as extreme as with the "Whirling Dervish" in my example. Was your first cat in with other cats before you adopted him? I'd think that would make a difference. Not a total weirdness to him to be around other cats.

With my cat, Charley, I think I might have to be prepared to use the extreme method. He was in a cage by himself--no other 8 week old kittens and semi-quarantined because he'd been a stray. And now, he's spent 4 years as an "only" cat. For now, he is going to remain an only cat too. The mischievous varmint keeps me on my toes all by himself.

Can't wait to hear how it goes--and see some pics of the new guy. (Btw, I agree, you keep calling him Rowdy, and he may just have to prove you right! ;-)