Introducing a second (old, grumpy) cat

[Retsina24]

Hi
I've previously posted about this on AIBU but am moving here now to hopefully get further advice and experiences from other cat lovers.

My gran died this week and has left behind a 15yr old cat, used to her own space (her own bedroom) and not overly friendly. I did manage to stroke her yesterday for the first time!!

There's no-one else willing to take her in and I would like to try as I hate to think of her going into a rescue at her age. However, we already have a cat (and gerbils). Our resident cat is very antisocial to other cats that live around us. We also don't have any spare rooms to put grans cat into to give her space. I have read a bit (and got some advice on my AIBU post) so know that they should be kept separate to start with etc. Any advice on doing this with two grumpy cats and with very limited space? Thanks

My advice is don't. Really don't.

You have another cat who isn't friendly and very little space - putting an elderly cat in that situation is very unlikely to end well.

Put your own cat first and it's happiness

From your post it seems you pretty much already know this isn't a great idea

It is worth a try, you will not be in a worse situation if it doesn't work

Try looking at the advice from Jackson Galaxy - lots of you-tubes ,etc.

Good for you for being willing to try xx💐

I kept two cats separate for a few weeks in a small flat until I found the homeless one a new home, it was an emergency measure but I kept the new cat in my own room. I think eventually it might have been OK with each other - they knew the other cat was there and they get used to the smell - but I had found a home for the other cat by then.

It doesn't sound sensible and unfair on your own cat.

What part of the country are you in? Not all rescues are awful and some vets help with rehoming (our old one had a rehoming board in the waiting room)

Sorry for your loss @Retsina24 and good luck with your Gran's cat, second Jackson Galaxy videos as he is based in America where all cats appear to be indoor only (due to predators like coyote)

Thanks for all the replies so far. They literally echo my heart Vs head thoughts.

It is worth a try, you will not be in a worse situation if it doesn't work

The problem is you can't guarantee that - stress can make some cats seriously unwell to the point that they end up in the vets, and given both cats aren't particularly friendly and one is vulnerable due to age, it's not a risk I would want to take myself.