Introducing new cat into household with resident cat

[basildonbond]

We've had our lovely little tabby since she was 10 months old when we got her from Battersea. She's now 12 and very healthy (although on strict diet as v greedy), happy and quietly sociable.

Dh mostly works in the Middle East and three years ago got adopted by a young male street cat. Shuri is about 4 years old now, very friendly, intelligent and highly vocal. Where dh lived before shuri had made friends with most of the neighbours and their cats - he knew more people than dh did!). Dh has had to move from a house into a high rise apartment and cat is not happy so the plan is to ship him back here. He knows us all well and is very adaptable so I think he'll be fine with the move apart from the cold as he has no undercoat but I'm worried about how our resident cat will cope. She's currently curled up on my lap blissfully unaware that her world is about to change and I'm feeling guilty so any tips on how to make it easier for her would be great

[cozietoesie]

How long will Shuri have to be in quarantine for?

[basildonbond]

He won't - he's got a pet passport and all rabies injections etc up to date

[basildonbond]

Hopeful bump!

[Lovethesea]

www.cats.org.uk/glasgow/news/introducing-a-new-cat-to-a-resident-cat

We did a slow approach like this and it worked really well.

[cozietoesie]

Hi basildon

Haven't forgotten you there - but Cat Introduction 101 is probably better from issey or thecatneuterer or one of the others who have large multi-cat households. Maybe they'll be around later.

[cozietoesie]

Ah - hah. Well done Lovethesea.

[basildonbond]

Thanks - will stock up on feliway

How long do you think it will be before my little tabby gets over the shock? Are we looking at weeks or months

[basildonbond]

And thanks for link - will have to work out where to put shuri when he arrives

[cozietoesie]

I think it depends on the cats, basildon. On the one hand you have a settled female - and girls are usually dominant - but on the other hand, you have a feisty street cat who has had to make his own way in the world and is probably pretty tough.

A good thing is that, as a street cat, Shuri has probably learned his cat manners very well and may be pretty sociable with other cats. Tough doesn't necessarily mean rough and mean. Sometimes it can be quite the opposite.

Can I just check - they're both neutered?

[basildonbond]

Thanks cozietosie - yes they're both neutered and Shuri is very sociable with both people and cats - at the last house he made friends with a family who had four girl cats who were happy for him to come into their house and play with them (he doesn't take any nonsense from boy cats though!)

I'm not so worried about Shuri as I'm pretty sure he'll adapt v quickly - it's more how daisy will react as she's only sociable with people not other cats - she had a cat friend a few years ago (he'd come into our house and she'd go into his) and we quite often found them curled up asleep together but since his family moved away she's not made another friend

[cozietoesie]

Well she's had at least one cat friend so that's a good thing. And he was a male.

I'd be cautiously optimistic. Lots of TLC and taste treats for Daisy (and some for Shuri when she isn't watching) and follow the introduction rules. Slow and steady usually does it until such time as you can see that they're OK with each other. Who knows - it may be sooner than you expect.

[cozietoesie]

When is Shuri coming across? Let us know how it goes.

[basildonbond]

Not sure of the exact date but hopefully some time in the next month

I'll let you know how it goes

[deliasmithy]

Hi,

Ive introduced a female kitten to a very unsociable female cat and now they are sometimes friends, sometimes not but cope well enough.

I've adopted a 6 month boy who was otherwise destined for battersea. He moved in last night and is holed up in the spare room. So far the two girls spent the night growling at his door!
I'm letting him roam the house when the others aren't there so they smell him first.

I think my plan is to chaperone the introductions and play it by ear. Fingers crossed but it could go horribly wrong.

Good luck with your cat integration!

[cozietoesie]

Is he neutered yet, deliasmithy ?

[deliasmithy]

Yes thankfully!

[cozietoesie]

I wouldn't be overly worried about the growling. Once they actually see him (in a chaperoned way) and realize they've only got a male kitten on their hands, it should be OK. (Forbye he might get a very mild pasting from one of them to make him mind.)

Good luck.

[deliasmithy]

So day 0 = cats sniffing new cat from under the door and smelling things of his
Day 1 = 20 mins together, girl cats went spare and were frightened
Day 2 = 2 hrs together, 1 girl cat frightened, the other let him get within 2 ft before getting hissy.

Hopefully it's getting better!

[cozietoesie]

That sounds reasonably OK, delia. How is he reacting to them?

[deliasmithy]

He does not seem to know cat language. He is desperate to play with them and approaches them every 5 seconds despite their hissing and growling.
I achieved all 3 within 3 ft of each other in silence last night when I threw dreamies on the floor.

[cozietoesie]

That's OK. They're the resident females (who should be dominant) and he's being appropriately kitten like but respectful. I would guess it will work out.

[deliasmithy]

I think you're right - more hissing today and paw swipes but also nose kisses!

[cozietoesie]

The only thing you have to watch for is that the situation might upset the balance between the two girls. Keep an eye on things and see how it goes for a day or two.

[deliasmithy]

There's been mutual butt sniffing between them today and hissing only when new cat has over stepped the line. I'm pleased this has taken less than a week. I'm leaving all his things in his room however until he is fully integrated.

Good luck anyone else thinking of taking on another cat. My top tip is buy several bags of dreamies and shower the cats with treats. Or maybe its just me that has cats that are easily bribed.