help settling two cats into our home.

[vagolaJahooli]

Hello, we are Aussie Expats living in the Netherlands. We have 2 young boys and are going to be here for a while so decided to have a cat join our family. We have had cats in the past and the boys are great with them. We didn't want to get a kitten but instead wanted to get a mature cat. We advertised on an Expats yahoogroup here as we know there are often Expats leaving who have to give up their pets so we thought we would see if there were any leaving in the near future before looking at rescue shelters.

We actually found 2 families who are leaving and needed homes for their female cats. We decided after meeting them that we would give a home to them both. The first lovely girl is 11years old and we are picking her up tomorrow. The second little girl is 2.5 years and we are picking her up next Sunday.

Does anyone have any tips for how best to settle the girls into our home and with each other. They are both indoor cats. The 11 year old has not lived with other cats, but the 2.5year old was actually living with a couple of other cats including her parents. Thank-you in advance for any advice.

[vagolaJahooli]

Bump

[vagolaJahooli]

Just bumping this thread would really appreciate any advice.

[LifeInTheSlowLane]

Hello, I'm a new cat owner too, we have had two rescue cats for just over a month now. There are a few threads on here that are quite helpful. The Cats Protection League website has a few fact sheets that are good too. Basically I'd follow the cats' lead, let them explore one room first, then gradually introduce them to the rest of the house / family. Let them know where the litter tray and food are, and keep them in the same place. they will soon let you know their likes and dislikes, and find a comfy spot. One of ours used to hide under the sofa quite often but is really friendly now. They do like small spaces they can hide if feeling timid, and also high up spots (like on top of the kitchen cupboards ). hope others can give you more advice and good luck!

[LifeInTheSlowLane]

I didn't mean "keep the litter tray and food in the same place" as in side by side, BTW, I meant keep the food in one same place and the litter tray in another same place , obv not next to each other Hope that makes sense!

[vagolaJahooli]

Thanks for responding life. Can I ask did the cats know each other before they came to live with you?

[LifeInTheSlowLane]

Yes, my two were rescued from a house that was over-run with cats, and they are mother and son (although I have my doubts!). They were kept in a pen together in the shelter and generally get on well, although they do fight a bit if they get bored!! I think if yours don't know each other it's probably best to introduce them slowly, maybe for a bit at a time and supervised. Hopefully others can help with that as it's not my area of expertise!

[vagolaJahooli]

Why do you have your doubts about their relationship to each other? Please don't tell me they are getting up to naughty business?

[LifeInTheSlowLane]

No not at all - and both have been neutered! Mum is very small and her son is so much bigger. The fact that they do fight a bit made me wonder, plus the fact that they came from an overcrowded house made me wonder if they really were related - probably just me over-analysing!

[vagolaJahooli]

Oh that's ok. I imagine it would be hard to tell. Our cat in the UK was massive but his mum and sisters who we met at the shelter were tiny so could be. But as you say in the chaos of a crowded house who would know for sure. Stories of animals in crowded homes do break my heart. We worried that we were wrong to have 2 cats in a small 3 bedroom house with 4 humans, why can't owners like that see that this is wrong. Although I guess I shouldn't judge as I don't know the situation.