Post New Topic

people w/ more than one cat

queenbean Posted:

people w/ more than one cat

We have a wonderful year and a half old cat and today we decided to adopt a teeny kitten!!! He is SOOOOO cute!!!!

Well, my original cat is hiding under the bed and wants nothing to do with us now. She even his at my DH when he tried to pet her. Does anyone have an experiencing introducing a new cat? Is there hope that they will EVER get along!?!??!
klovess14 Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

I have five and it get more interesting all the time. The cats just mad that there is a new kitty in town. Don't favor the new one over the old one because then the older cat will get even madder. My original two get alone great, the third and four hate my second cat (always fighting) and the last one loves everyone. Get a couple of toys and play with the both of them together.

NicoleBell Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

We were in the same situation as you about a year ago. We had to keep the two separated for about a week. The vet advised that we do that. We would keep the kitten in a carrier, and let the other cat go near it to get used to his scent. When the older cat would finally go near the carrier without hissing, then we tried holding the kitten on the floor and letting the older cat come over. When we finally let them free together, I was a nervous wreck. It was a stressful experience, haha. I would just advise doing it slowly.

queenbean Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat


Posted by klovess14

I have five and it get more interesting all the time. The cats just mad that there is a new kitty in town. Don't favor the new one over the old one because then the older cat will get even madder. My original two get alone great, the third and four hate my second cat (always fighting) and the last one loves everyone. Get a couple of toys and play with the both of them together.



thanks for the advice. Right now it's hard not to favor the kitten because the original cat has been under the bed ever since she saw the little one. We tried getting her to come out and we put food by the bed but when I checked it didn't look like it was touched in the meantime, the new kitten has adjusted beautifully.
queenbean Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat


Posted by NicoleBell

We were in the same situation as you about a year ago. We had to keep the two separated for about a week. The vet advised that we do that. We would keep the kitten in a carrier, and let the other cat go near it to get used to his scent. When the older cat would finally go near the carrier without hissing, then we tried holding the kitten on the floor and letting the older cat come over. When we finally let them free together, I was a nervous wreck. It was a stressful experience, haha. I would just advise doing it slowly.



We came home and put the carrier w/ the kitten on the floor and my original cat starred at him and his whole tail puffed up! Then he just ran to the bedroom and has been under the bed for the past few hours I feel so sorry for her, she's my original little baby and now she's so upset! I feel like my heart's breaking!
KiTTeN0819 Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

What i just did (and it worked great) was to lock the new comer in one room, like a bedroom and let the original have run of the house. They will be able to smell the new scent in the house but it wont be as threatening. Then after a week take the new kitty and put it in a carrier and let old kitty in. Do this a few times a day. for about another week. (sounds annoying i know but it worked) Then if there is no hissing at the carrier try letting old kitty in the room while new kitty is out and about. Even if they seem ok at this point dont leave them alone and dont let new kitty out of the room. After a few days of them being fine in the room together you can let them each get run of the house together, but for about a week I wouldnt leave them alone unless there are no incidents. After all this they should be fine.

Cats are very territorial and the old cats turf is being invaded. I take it the old cat is fixed? Cause if not do it pronto since unfixed cats are more territorial.

Ive had my new cat a month now and they are great together.. My old cat is 11yrs and the new one is 5yrs, both fixed males and no issues at all.

Also dont let them share a litter box until they like each other, some cats are really funny about that.

Also what sexes are the cats? Male and females dont really get along unless they are litter mates, though they wlll learn to tolerate each other.

I know tons about cats so if you have any questions FM me.
JodyLC Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

Whatever you do DON'T faor the new kitty over the old one.. At one time FH was favoring the new puppy over the older cat and he retaliated and pissed ALL over FH's stuff...Not fun.... the vet told us give them equal time even if the cat hides go sit by it and give it attention. We did this with the new kittens and it was fine.

Sharron70 Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

OMG I went the same thing a few weeks ago! And I knew I was going to have problems because my G.G. was a little bltch to begin with.

It takes time - G.G. got to a point where she would hiss, spit and run under the bed at the very sound of my voice. I went through this when I lived at my parents as well and it does work out eventually. Give your cat a few days and maybe go into the bedroom and spend some alone time with her (if she'll let you) but make sure the kitten is not around.

My situation only worked out, I think, because we had G.G. fixed last week and it's like they gave us the wrong cat back. Not only is little Olga her baby now (as opposed to her enemy) but she even lets me brush her - for hours! I could never do that.

Is your cat fixed?
Sharron70 Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat


Posted by KiTTeN0819

What i just did (and it worked great) was to lock the new comer in one room, like a bedroom and let the original have run of the house. They will be able to smell the new scent in the house but it wont be as threatening. Then after a week take the new kitty and put it in a carrier and let old kitty in. Do this a few times a day. for about another week. (sounds annoying i know but it worked) Then if there is no hissing at the carrier try letting old kitty in the room while new kitty is out and about. Even if they seem ok at this point dont leave them alone and dont let new kitty out of the room. After a few days of them being fine in the room together you can let them each get run of the house together, but for about a week I wouldnt leave them alone unless there are no incidents. After all this they should be fine.

Cats are very territorial and the old cats turf is being invaded. I take it the old cat is fixed? Cause if not do it pronto since unfixed cats are more territorial.

Ive had my new cat a month now and they are great together.. My old cat is 11 and the new one is 5 and no issues at all.

Also dont let them share a litter box until they like each other, some cats are really funny about that.

I know tons about cats so if you have any questions FM me.


All excellent advice. I knew about the locking up the new one and slowly introducing them but of course we're IMpatient.

And with the territorial thing - I swear, in the last week since my older can was fixed she's an entirely different cat in so many ways but esp. when it comes to the kitten.
Toucan311 Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

I have 3. It took about 3 months for Mima to adjust to the kittens, but now they get along fine.

sophisticat13 Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

When I adopted Whiskers (male-spayed), I had had Scribbles (female-spayed) for about 3-4 years with no other cats/pets. I had no choice in my co-op but to 'make' them adjust to each other because only one room besides the bathroom (the bedroom) has a door that closes completely, and Whiskers would not tolerate the bathroom....he howled. Scribbles hissed and would not let the new cat go near her. Now it is three years later and they share their food and water bowls, sleeping areas (my bed) and a litter box. They even give each other mini-baths and play with each other. Don't worry it will work out...it's just the initial shock of having their territory invaded by an alien cat.... just takes time!!!

Good luck...aren't cats the best?!!!!!!!!!
mcbride62009 Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

Same thing happen with me. Dont force them and dont get upset if they fight alittle bit. It took about a month but now they lay together and clean eachother its cute!

dannisayz Posted:

Re: people w/ more than one cat

I have 2 males and they HATED one another for 3 months. I hate to keep them in seperate rooms for one - two weeks and feed them next to the door so they could smell each other during a time they both enjoyed (eating). It worked well.

If you need any help feel free to FM me.

Reply to this topic

Log in to reply or quote a post.