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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Joining 2 households with cats - HOW?

3 replies

MeMarmite · 28/11/2020 07:30

My partner has 3 and I have 2 - we are planning to buy a house together next year, and our biggest worry is the cats getting on!

Are there any good websites or books we can read for ideas on how to make it a smooth process?

Our ideas so far are to create cat runways across the tops of the walls with shelves, so they have as much territory as possible indoors. Create at least two exits/entrances with cat flaps coded to their own microchips (my 2 using one entrance and her 3 using the other), introducing each other's smells in the months leading up to the move (rubbing towels on them and swapping over, etc - they are already aware of other cat smells due to us visiting each other but a more concerted effort), once we've moved in, the cats are kept in separate areas of the house (this can't really be clearly planned until we know which house we're getting, the layout, etc), slow introductions to one another (not sure how we are going to manage this, as all 5 are used to coming and going out of doors as they wish, we may have to work that in shifts??)

I'd love to hear anyone's success stories, as well....

OP posts:
Bargebill19 · 28/11/2020 16:33

3 + 2 (one is one my knee when this was taken.) roughly about two weeks after they new 3 were introduced to my older 2.
Swapping of scents - which you’ve done. Other than that let them get on with it. Step in if they get to carried away with a lot of hissing. Lots of food and water bowls so no sharing and several litter trays. Lots of catty nooks for them to sleep/retreat to.

Joining 2 households with cats - HOW?
MaisyMary77 · 28/11/2020 16:43

My Dbrother moved in with us in August, he bought 2 cats with him. My cats are 15 & 14, his are both 3. We’ve mainly just let them get on with it. Four litter trays around the house and they have their own areas to eat and sleep. There has been no fighting; the younger cats seem to have acknowledged the older ones are boss. I found all of them asleep on the sofa the other day so I think they’re starting to get on.

MeMarmite · 28/11/2020 18:16

Gorgeous photo, Bargebill19!

That sounds really great, MaisyMary77.

You've both given me a lot of.hope and maybe I'm just overthinking!

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