To rescue this cat or not?

[HiItsClemFandango]

I have a 1.5 year old neutered lovely boy, he's very playful, affectionate, quite needy and sometimes a little shy. I play with him regularly and we can even play fetch but I sometimes get the feeling he's lonely and could do with a companion. He's never interacted with other cats before but has seen them in our next door neighbours garden and not taken any notice of them.

My local rescue have got a 3.5 year old neutered male who is described as quiet but playful and very loving. He's lived with cats previously and they've got on really well. I'd absolutely love to give him a home but I'm so worried about wether my boy would be accepting of him or not.

They offer a one week trial period to see if they get along. Will two male cats get on okay? They sound quite like similar in temperaments.


Any advice for introducing two cats?

[viccat]

It sounds like it could work! Ignoring other cats he sees outside is a good sign; a very territorial cat would be likely to display some aggression.

Neutered boys usually get along great with each other unless they have a history of being significantly territorial and aggressive.

As for the one week trial, I think it will give you an indication of how it will work BUT it often takes several weeks for cats to accept each other when being introduced to new cats in their home (even if they are great with other cats) so don't expect them to be best friends in a week. Usually a new cat should be kept in a separate room for a few days to begin with, with no direct contact between the two. Google cat introductions for lots of guides on how to do it...

[NotSoThinLizzy]

I had my 3 year old cat who's never been with other cats and is Male got him a friend that was younger and they get on like a house on fire. Now 4 years down the line and they are still happy with each other. Do the trail you have nothing to lose 😊

[HiItsClemFandango]

@viccat That's really good to know, thank you. I did think it was a good sign that he was unbothered by our neighbours cats, he's never been territorial or aggressive before and they sound quite similar.

I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks for your advice.

[HiItsClemFandango]

@NotSoThinLizzy That's very promising. I really hope they get on.

My current cat is quite needy and needs attention all the time and I'm unsure about how he'll react to another cat in the house. You're right, there's nothing to lose!

[NotSoThinLizzy]

My older cat is a sook monster too I have two hands so can pet both cats at the same time 😂 slow introduction is key it older cat has a bed switch beds around so they can smell each other.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Give it a go. My cat gets on so much better with the cat I got when her sister died, than she ever did with her sister.

[HiItsClemFandango]

I'm collecting him on Friday!

I'll update you to let you know how we get on

[sweetkitty]

I had two neutered boys before who got in great, not related and 3 years between them.

We’re getting a new kitten tomorrow and have year old cats a boy and a girl so fingers crossed they all get on.

[Toddlerteaplease]

How's it going OP?

[overnightangel]

Are they playing nicely op?

[madcatladyforever]

Last time I had two cats and wanted them to get on quick I put new male cat in a puppy cage and left him in the living room while female cat wandered about safely and was able to go and sniff him when she was curious, it worked very well.
Obviously supervised.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I put Cheddar down in her carrier and Snorg came for a sniff and I saw her visibly relax. She's not good on her own. Once she'd established who was boss. They get on great.

[HiItsClemFandango]

Hello!

We brought him home, we set him up a base camp in the spare room and he's settled in instantly. New cat was sleeping on his cat tree and DP left the door open so resident cat got in and just sat there staring at him.

When new cat woke up they stared at eachother, lay down near eachother and new cat rolled on his back so I thought I'd leave them too it but then they started hissing, growling and trying to fight so new cat is back in the spare room, I'm scent swapping and have a mesh pet fence for the doorway and Feliway Friends.

I will keep you updated as things progress!

[HiItsClemFandango]

PS, the new "neutered" cat isn't actually neutered so that's booked in for Tuesday, that will probably make a big difference

[Toddlerteaplease]

I'm surprised the rescue let him go without him
Being neutered. Paws crossed it all works out!

[sweetkitty]

Our new kitten is terrorising the bigs!!! Boy big is now playing with him and doesn’t even flinch when kitten launches a full on assault on him. They love chasing each other all round the dining room table and chairs. Girl big is more cautious she follows kitten about and he gets the odd spit if he gets too close but she’s very relaxed with him. The poor dog gets the whole sidewards pounce big tail hissy thing from the kitten which is funny as the kitten is barely the size of her paw. He just struts about like he owns the place

[HiItsClemFandango]

Just an update if any of you were interested...

They're best friends! We did scent swapping for a week then let them see each other, resident cat was really scared and there was a bit of hissing/growling so back to scent swapping but adding Feliway Friends plug ins and now they're obsessed with eachother

I can leave them unsupervised together, they play together, roll around on their backs and flop, they follow eachother everywhere and it's lovely.

I want more now!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I want more now




It's lovely that they're getting on well

I looked at some kittens on the CPL website , a litter of 5 black kittens and wondered (very very briefly) if a couple of them would like to come and live with our two black cats. I batted the idea out of my head swiftly !

[Selfieface]

Any photos?

[Toddlerteaplease]

That's brilliant news!! So happy it's worked out!