Introducing a new (foster) cat to my cat...

[girliefriend]

Hi all due to a relationship break down we have agreed to take on my brothers ginger tom cat (hopefully will only be temp until my brother sorts out somewhere to live!) he is approx 3yrs old.

We already have a tom cat who is a similar age and obv used to being king of his castle I have put ginger tom in my bedroom for now (and he has promptly hidden under the bed) but am wondering how I go about introducing him to our cat and what I should expect?

tia.

I think you are meant to keep them separate and swap the bedding over so they get used to each others smell first.

Plonking them together in the lounge is what lots of people do but that's very stressful for them.

I bet fab cat have a fact sheet on it.

They \link{http://www.icatcare.org/advice/how-guides/how-introduce-new-adult-cat-your-cat\certainly} do.

Thankyou, I just meant 'boy' cats, they have both been neutered as soon as they were old enough.

The ginger one is still under my bed, should I try and encourage him to come out? Or just leave him to it?!

Our cat knows somethings up and has been sniffing about a lot looking unimpressed!!

Thanks cozie thats really helpful, more or less what I have been doing so good to know am on the right tracks!!

You have to be aware that they might never get on with each other - nowt to do with you but just the character of the cats. We had Seniorboy and The Lodger living together for some 2 years and Seniorboy detested The Lodger (who was quite the most civilized and companionable cat you could ever hope to meet.) See how it goes.

Sorry to tell you but neutered boys spray as well! Seniorboy did a lot of protest sprays until The Lodger moved house.

I think 'ginger' will be o.kay because he was used to living with another cat and is incredibly thick laid back. My own cat, lets call him 'Tom' will be less easy going I think. He is used to being the only very pampered pet!!

Tom has never sprayed so would not be impressed if he started!!

As I said, see how it goes. It all depends on the character of the cats. The Lodger (also a ginger) was as nice as pie and would have got on with anyone. Seniorboy, a fussy Siamese, would rather die than live with another cat. He's too old to fight bit could still spray for Scotland!

Sorry - I should add. If things get difficult and your bro can't take Ginger back quickly, see if you can introduce a 'cordon sanitaire' to the house. That would depend on your room layout but we worked with that for 2 years and it succeeded pretty well.

Oh Gawd - cordon sanitaire is the wrong term. Basically, split the house.

Haha yes I only live in a small 2 bed flat but could keep them separated so that Ginger stays mostly in my bedroom.

He is still under my bed....... !!

He'll be unhappy being separated from his people and in a strange place. I'd take a book or a laptop in there and sit on the floor (back against the bed) and quietly read/go online. Ignore him if he comes out from under the bed and let him do his own thing eg explore the room/come to sit on your lap.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. We introduced a second rescue cat to our house earlier this year and it's worked really well. Our fluffy hunting tabby hissed at the door but once we started feeding them insight of each other then nearer and nearer and building up the door open time he was fine.

Our newbie was a mad tortie and feisty as they come (to cope with our 2 small kids) so she got bolder very quickly. Huntercat did try a playful pounce on top of Tortie but the air turned blue with her swearing and he has never tried again.

They get on fine. Share the bed with us. Sniff each other with interest. Huntercat even licked Tortie's head a couple of days ago. They chase each other around the house on occasion but mostly just live alongside very contentedly.

That is so uplifting Lovethesea. (I'm just not sure that it would apply to 'Ginger' if he's to be a temporary lodger.)

Of course, but temporary lodgers have on occasion settled in for the long term even if not planned initially!

Huntercat used to be fine with next doors male cat popping in to eat his food before we got Tortie so some cats can adjust fine to company and even like it.

True. I think The Lodger would get on with anybody (unlike Seniorboy.) He would sit companionably in the garden with next door's tom.

Hi all well update , hadn't seen your reply cozie but more or less did what you suggested and actually cuddled up with dd on my bed and put a dvd on. Ginger then came out and joined us on the bed, was very happy and relaxed (he is very soppy!)

I had left the doors open but Tom stayed away in the living room and ginger wasn't brave enough to venture out of the bedroom!!

They both slept in separate rooms with no problems and today have also left doors open and they have occasionally glared at each other but no real problems am hoping it will be fine.

Also popped into vets to register Ginger and make a nurse appointment for him as he is umm errr rather on the tubby side!!

Lovethesea my brother popped over last night and started by saying he thought it would be for 6 months and then said maybe a year.....!!

I think Ginger may be here for a while I am fine with that as long as the cats get on.

Am I right in thinking that Ginger toms are prone to over eating or is it just a coincidence that all the ones I know have done?!!

None of the ginger toms I've had have over-eaten. They were all hunters though.