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Integrating cats in a new house

post #1 of 4
6/14/10 at 5:22pm
Thread Starter 
I have somewhat of an unusual situation, and any help would be appreciated. I am planning to move in a few weeks. I have 4 cats, and an emergency situation came up and I took in 2 more this past weekend. (I was planning on adopting after the move, but it was either take them now or they would have been put down and I just couldn't have that.) I am staying with my parents right now. The 4 I had are in a separate room down cellar, and the newcomers are in my bedroom. My question is this - when I move do I still keep the new kitties separated or do I introduce them at one time? My brother seems to think since it's new territory to all the cats that no one has the upper hand. I just don't want any problems by pushing everyone together before it's time. Any suggestions? My current 4 are 2 males and 2 females, and the new cats are both male. Everyone is spayed/neutered, and one of the females is definitely alpha.

Maureen
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post #2 of 4
6/15/10 at 3:00pm
Wow, that's a tough one. My guess is that your cats' age and general disposition will play a big role.

I can see your brother's point, although it also seems logical to me to try to "stagger" the stress by avoiding too many changes at once. I'll be interested in hearing what other members have to say!
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post #3 of 4
6/18/10 at 4:20pm
I am not an expert, but your cats (4) are familiar with each others smell to there they do not know the 2 new cats and their smell is a strange one. If it was me I would keep the 2 new cats in a bathroom or any other room available and let them get used to their smell before introducing them, good luck.
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post #4 of 4
6/19/10 at 10:45am
If you have done your testing/whatever for new cats I would start exchanging scent rags-brush the cats with wash cloth and give it to the others-I would do this for the 2 new cats and the 4 you have.

I have done this years ago when I had less cats and it seemed to help

I normally just throw the new one into a cage and put him in the cats playroom(have 24 adults and so far its worked except for one cat whos total anti cat...) Also when I moved I tried to move the cats who didnt have much rank first then moved the cats who were fighters for the cause I think some of how they adjust will do with how far the move is-My move was 1 1/2 hours away and they were in car longer then that(loading cages/random little things arround cages...I think they were just happy to see it was a different house but buddys were still there with them
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