Introductions, rescue to ex-rescue

[IliveonCoffee]

We have a lovely cat from a rescue, is probably about 7 now, we've had him 2.5 years. Please see attached, cat tax. We've been thinking for a while he'll benefit from another cat, and we'd love an addition.

We went back to the rescue we got him from, and they've recently received a 2 year old female. Now I've done a bit of research about introductions, and hoping to make it as amiable as possible. But I've never actually done cat introductions (somehow my parents always had super chill cats probably creating team cat against the dogs)

Now everything is quite clear about keeping them separate, new cat is joining me in the computer room. Exchanging scents - I'm planning to pick up a cat bed and blanket (plus one for the rescue) for the new cat to have when we see her, and for them to come back with us when she comes home, for swapping (so I expect she'll have them for 1-2 weeks) -- does this sound like a reasonable plan?

Then showing round each others space. (Feel a bit bad new cat has one room...current has the whole rest of house....)

Visual contact.

And finally first meeting



But I can't seem to gauge how long it's all supposed to take. I certainly don't want to rush things, but I also don't want to keep the new one cooped up for weeks on end.

How long should it take...am I making it far too complicated, and they'll work it out (combining forces for a double pronged assault on the slaves humans)

Any tips?

[Toddlerteaplease]

No tips from me. I just plonked my new cat down in her carrier. Resident cat came for a sniff and that was that. (Both exceptionally placid cats though)

[IliveonCoffee]

So we have her! She's been here just over a week. Both very aware of each other. Not sure if we're going too fast, too slow or just right.

Last couple of days we are now eating on the landing / PC room with a human door. Had some hissing/growling from her to start with, and discovered resident male is a coward (pulls sad cat face and flees downstairs - but is now happy to come upstairs if her bedroom is closed).

I don't think they will fight - he will run off I think and she's probably not going to be brave enough to chase (I mean he is at least twice her size). But, not sure when let them actually go near each other if they want to rather than with a human between them.

See also attached.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Maybe a bit fast? A week in cat time is 5 minutes.

It’s like your husband coming home with Gemma from accounts because he loves you so much and she’s just like you. She now lives with you and sleeps in your bed. You’d be miffed.

[TuttiFrutti]

We have been through cat introductions. We were told by Cats Protection to expect the process to take up to 3 months, but it took our cats 8 days!