Began Introduction of Cats... Need HELP!

Hello everyone, I am new to this site, but it has already been a huge help! I will let you in on our whole scenario first I have a one and a half year old resident female cat who has quite an attitude. She has lived with us for about a year now. My husband and I work 12 hour shifts, 3 times a week in a row, and I didn't want her to be lonely during this time. So.... we went to a shelter and found a gorgeous female cat, who is also one and a half years old. They are both 8 1/2 pounds, so they are almost identical in size. I read the Behavioral Article on introducing a new cat to a resident cat, and we have followed the advice exactly so far. Things are going alright, and they have begun interacting through the bottom crack of the door to the room that the new cat is in. However, our resident baby still likes to growl and hiss at times, and is definately the "aggressor". The smell issue is a big one. We have rubbed the new cat's scent all over a blanket, and at first our resident cat's ears were plastered against her head while she growled insanely! Now we are at the point where she will drink milk out of a bowl sitting on top of the blanket without throwing a total fit. So she is improving.... The time is coming where we let them sniff noses and actually meet. I am interested in putting some vanilla extract on both their cheeks and topside of their tails, as this will make them smell very similiar. So here is my question: Should I also bathe them right before they meet in the same kitty shampoo, and then put the vanilla extract on each of them? That way, they would smell exactly alike. Is that a good idea? Also, it is still obvious to my husband and I that our resident cat isn't thrilled about having our new cat around. Sometimes she even growls at us, which she never did before! It makes me wonder if we should keep this new cat The whole reason we got her in the first place was to be a companion to our resident cat. I just feel sooooo guilty because I don't want our baby to be mad or miserable So far, she has made it pretty clear that she is not happy with having a new cat around, although she is making a tiny bit of progress. Am I doing the right thing by going through with this and keeping the new kitty? The new one is so sweet! It is our baby that is making me doubtful Any answers to my questions or advice on this situation would be wonderful. Thank you!

First of all how long as it been since you got the new kitty and is everyone spayed? I may have missed it in your post. Females tend to have more issues with each other then female to male or male to male. Plus them both being the same age, that just makes it a little tougher. But stick it out awhile longer. If there is no blood shed then it is alright for now.

I wouldn't bathe them, that will just stress them out and bathing cats just doesn't seem necessary if you are feeding them right, their coats should be healthy and shiny. Unless they are dirty then of course, bathe them if you need to. Vanilla extract has to be pure, not the imitation, I am not sure why, someone else may know. Can you seperate them with a screen door or something see thru and where they can still smell each other like that?

It has been about a week and a half since we got the new kitty, and yes, they are both spayed. I don't know how I could separate them with a screen door, but that would be so much better than having to introduce them after just seeing each others paws through the bottom crack of a door. I was thinking about a baby gate, but of course cats could jump right over that. Any ideas??? And about the bath thing, the new cat is a bit grungy after being in a shelter, but I hate to bathe her since my resident cat has gotten used to her "grungy" smell I guess I could wait until I introduce them before giving her a bath. And I have the natural vanilla extract, I don't like the fake stuff I hope that after all this they end up liking each other. Any more ideas or other tips??? Thank you very much!

If its only been a week then just give it a little more time. Under the door is fine, stacking baby gates would be great if you have a few of them

Thank you so much for your help. I don't have baby gates, but I could find a few cheep ones at a store somewhere. I really want this to work Our new cat has been in her own room for a week and three days so far, but she whines a lot and really wants out. I know I am suppose to take things slow and be patient, so I will keep them seperate for at least three weeks then, and hopefully there will be some improvement. Thank you

Sometimes it take a while for a resident cat to accept a new friend. I've heard of cats who hiss and growl at the newcomer and then become fast friends. It hasn't been very long since you started this. Spend time with the new one in her own room so she gets used to you, too. Feed treats on either side of the door so they associate good things with each others' scent. If you can feed them meals that way, it would be good, too.

It does take time. They may become really good friends or just tolerate each other. Whatever happens, please keep the new little girl. She needs a home where such caring people are.

Loads of luck with your 2 girls. Cat dynamics change a lot as things go on. Our 4 change pals often.

Originally Posted by hunnybear6504

Hello everyone, I am new to this site, but it has already been a huge help! I will let you in on our whole scenario first

I have a one and a half year old resident female cat who has quite an attitude. She has lived with us for about a year now. My husband and I work 12 hour shifts, 3 times a week in a row, and I didn't want her to be lonely during this time. So.... we went to a shelter and found a gorgeous female cat, who is also one and a half years old. They are both 8 1/2 pounds, so they are almost identical in size. I read the Behavioral Article on introducing a new cat to a resident cat, and we have followed the advice exactly so far. Things are going alright, and they have begun interacting through the bottom crack of the door to the room that the new cat is in. However, our resident baby still likes to growl and hiss at times, and is definately the "aggressor". The smell issue is a big one. We have rubbed the new cat's scent all over a blanket, and at first our resident cat's ears were plastered against her head while she growled insanely! Now we are at the point where she will drink milk out of a bowl sitting on top of the blanket without throwing a total fit. So she is improving.... The time is coming where we let them sniff noses and actually meet. I am interested in putting some vanilla extract on both their cheeks and topside of their tails, as this will make them smell very similiar. So here is my question: Should I also bathe them right before they meet in the same kitty shampoo, and then put the vanilla extract on each of them? That way, they would smell exactly alike. Is that a good idea? Also, it is still obvious to my husband and I that our resident cat isn't thrilled about having our new cat around. Sometimes she even growls at us, which she never did before! It makes me wonder if we should keep this new cat

The whole reason we got her in the first place was to be a companion to our resident cat. I just feel sooooo guilty because I don't want our baby to be mad or miserable

So far, she has made it pretty clear that she is not happy with having a new cat around, although she is making a tiny bit of progress. Am I doing the right thing by going through with this and keeping the new kitty? The new one is so sweet! It is our baby that is making me doubtful

Any answers to my questions or advice on this situation would be wonderful. Thank you!

Click to expand...

I am quite the proponent of reading existing information on subjects right here on TheCatSite.com. I see that you are new and welcome to TCS. Here is what our very own site has to say on the subject: http://www.thecatsite.com/Behavior/4...cing-Cats.html

In January I adopted a younger male for my female resident cat because I thought it would be best for her to have a companion to spend the long days with. At first Merlynn (the resident female) was super pissed that this imposter (Piccolino) was in her home.

They were separated for a few days (maybe 3-4). I would take the time to play with each one separately. I spent more time with Merlynn so she would understand that she was still the boss. Merlynn would hiss at anything with Piccolino's scent. But I was told this was normal and to be expected. Hissing just lets the other animal know to back off.

Each night I switched them b/c I only have a 1-BR apartment and so I had to make it work like that. Pico would spend the day in the bedroom and Merlynn in the living room b/c Merlynn greets me when I come home from work. At night, Merlynn sleeps with me so I moved her into the bedroom at night and Pico into the living room. That really got them used to eachother's scents quickly I believe.

After maybe 4 or 5 days, I put Pico in a carrier and set him down in the living room where Merlynn was. Both hissed, but after about a minute or so, Pico looked away and Merlynn ignored him. I did this every few hours and the hissing got less each time.

I was so very worried the whole time I ws doing the introductions; I'm sure that didn't help them.

By the end of the first week I had to put them together because I had workers coming in to fix my closet. (I tried to have Pico in the bathroom but the non-stop screaming did away with that idea.)

A great hint I received was to give treats and play when both cats when they were together. That way they learn to associate good things when both were in the same room. I always made sure to give attention to Merlynn first...treats to her first...play with her first.

It seemed like forever, but it only took about a week and a half for them to "get used to eachother." They would just basically ignore eachother. Pico always wanted to play with Merlynn but she really wasn't into him. I felt so bad at the beginning b/c Merlynn wouldn't even sleep with me at night and she wasn't as affectionate as she usually was.

It took her maybe 3 weeks to "like" him. So that's not too bad.

NOW....4 months later. They are the best of buds. They groom eachother, wrestle, chase eachother and even sleep together.

I'm so glad I decided to get him. Please give it at least a month. They are sure to be okay. Catnip helps to calm them down. And remember to always reassure your resident lady that she will always be the woman of the house.
It'll go by quicker than you think...

Try to remember why you brought the new one in when you're with them...this new girl will keep you company when I'm not here. You can play together, groom eachother, look for creepy crawlers to kill together, watch the house together...all kinds of fun things. I cannot possibly run around and play like your new friend can...so just give her a chance. She's cute....

Good luck!

Thank you everyone for all of your guidance, as well as your encouragement. My resident cat Azlyn is now tolerating our new cat's smell much better. Still a hiss here and there, but not as grouchy as she was when we first brought our new cat home. My husband and I have decided to definately keep the new cat. She is so sweet, and beautiful too! Speaking of which, we cannot think of a name for her at all! She is so beautiful and unique, that no name I have come up with is just perfect. I am going to post a picture of her on a new thread, and would love some ideas for names! I really want something original ("Piccolino" was really great!). So, if anyone would like to help, I am open to suggestions! I will put this new "Help Name My New Kitty!" thread under The Cat Lounge if anyone is interested. Also, feel free to share any more stories or advice about introducing new cats. It's very encouraging to hear about other's successes!

We kept Bijou and Mika separated for one full month with had supervised visitation in the evenings and of course weekends when we were home. As soon as either of them became aggressive we would separate them. After the month mark we were confident enough to allow them together and that they would work our their own differences. Bijou can sometimes still be a bit rough with Mika (he's 16 lbs and she's 8 lbs), but she holds her own and oftentimes it's her that starts the trouble.

If your cat is better after even a week, sounds like it may well work out for you. Patience and love will work wonders.