New cat and old cat don't get on

[FullyImmersed]

I picked up a new cat on Tuesday, brought her home, she met our existing cat, who immediately hissed at her. New cat dashed under a unit, DS tired to comfort her and she swiped him. The new cat then went into hiding for about 36 hours! I hunted high and low for her, in every possible space I could think she would fit, but she turned up on my bed this morning.

I took her into the tv room and sat next to the old cat, and put the new cat the other side of me and stroked them both, but they just kept hissing at each other, the old cat jumped onto the are of the sofa, and the new cat just tried to escape.

I obviously don't want my old cat to feel pushed out, but I want her and the new cat to get on, especially as the only reason I got her is because the old cats sister died last summer and she has seemed lonely, so I thought a new cat would give her a companion.

Is there anything I can do to make them get along better?

There is a huge amount published in print and on the internet about this - have a google. You need to give each cat their own space, so don't try to feed them together or expect them to share a litter tray or a sleeping area. A good result can come from plugging in Feliway as well. This is a synthetic pheromone which has a soothing effect so I understand.

On the whole cats are not like dogs who will welcome another dog - cats are very territorial and will not easily tolerate non-familial cats.

Good luck! Bear with it and pay attention to their needs (as above) and I'm sure eventually they will get used to each other. Though they may never be best of friends.

Old cat just made me laugh, for the first time the new cat had jumped up on the sofa and laid next to me padding and purring, old cat jumped up the other side, instantly became aware of new cat and got closer and closer trying to sniff the back of her head, but as soon as the new cat looked up at old cat, old cat started hissing, so new cat hissed back so old cat run off and is now sulking.

I do hope they become 'friends', as that was the whole point of getting new cat...

Cats have two territories - there 'home' one where they eat, poo and make kittens. They also have a wider territory - usually outside, and they 'time share' this - if you have cats come into your garden you will see tabby at 9 am, black one at 3 pm, black and white 6pm etc. They leave their scent on trees, buildings, fences to let other cats know they have been there and when.

When a cat crosses another cat's territory they do it as high as possible so they can look out for other cats - that's why you see them walking on the top of fences.

Right now you have brought a cat into the 'home' territory of your older cat. If you can make walkways so the new cat can cross the old one's terrritry using book shelves, tabletops, bannisters etc the new cat will be able to cross the old one's territry without threatening the old cat. Ideally both cats should have a route to outside without a cross over - you will find the flash points are when they cross routes. Ideally both old and new cat need a place they can get away from the other.

You can also impose time share on them - old cat gets the liviing room 9am - 12pm, the new one gets 12pm - 3pm, after 3pm thet can both come use the living room.

feed them in the same room but at opposite ends - bring the dishes together gradually

Get a felliway diffuser, they do help and also use a cloth - a tea towel is ideal, to stroke one cat for a while, and then the other cat to get their scents mixed.

Invest in a new set of toys - temporarily put the old toys away - give them both a new toy at the same time in the same room - the same for treats - they both get a treat at the same time in the same room

With two cats that have not been introduced to each other as kittens the best you can hope for is that they will tollerate each other. You can be lucky but it is rare

Took 4 weeks for our cat Suzy to get used to Slinky the Greek arrival, now they chirp to each other, box, chase and eat at either end of a 90cm mat.

Suzy was 3 and Slinky less than 1.

Glad I've found this. I just posted asking about getting another cat.
I have an indoor male and it looks like we will be taking in an indoor female.

Allow them space and separate at night but allow supervised contact, as I say doing this has paid dividends for us, Suzy lived in the loft (her choice) for almost 2 weeks before he realised he could go up, after daily visits for 3 days we relocated her to the spare room and they had separate night times for a further 6 wks but now are good and she puts him in his place as needed.

It does take time and patience.

We're currently introducing Cat#5.

It's like a mathematical puzzle here - Cat#1 gets on with Cat#2, but hates Cat#3 and is sometimes mean to Cat#4

Cat#2 isn't very bright and he isn't sure who he gets on with

Cat#3 loves everyone, but Cat#1 will be mean to him if we don't watch him

Cat#4 is tiny, and the only girl. Cat#1 and 2 will pick on her, Cat#3 loves her!

Cat#1 is a house cat, Cat#2 and 4 won't come inside (live in a converted outbuiding with heated beds) Cat#3 spends the evenings inside but prefers to sleep outside.

We're doing lots of supervised contact and timeshare outdoor slots. It's complicated but from experience I know that they will sort out a new pecking order and settle down.

When we introduced our old cat to the new one there was lots of hissing from the old one and gormless bewilderment from the new one. Then after two weeks old one grabbed hold of new one, stood on it to pin it down and washed it - they were best mates after that :)