Introducing Two Cats...

I've read conflicting info. about introducing a new kitten to a resident cat and am wondering what folks with experience have to say about it. (One book says give it at least three days before introducing your cats; the other source says two weeks.) I really do not want to sleep on the couch for two weeks to keep my one-year-old Simon appeased, while his sister is quarantined in our bedroom.

Only bathroom in our apartment would allow the cats to put their paws under the door to "greet" each other; that room is too small to keep the kitten's litterbox and food within it. The baby will need to be quarantined in our bedroom (which will upset Simon to no end).

Your thoughts?

Hi Jenk.....I introduced my 2 Ragdolls to my DSH male through a sliding door that I have in my bedroom. I put my two Raggies in the bedroom for two weeks before finally opening the door. You could always use a regular door and just crack it a bit with some "heavy" things against the door making sure that the cats can't open it unexpectantly. During this time my 2 1/2 year old Ragdoll (Adori) figured out that if she laid on her side...that she could pull the heavy sliding door open. I had to put something heavy against the door after I realized this to avoid any more early confrontations. My vet first told me that this was a good way of introducing new cats. I was introducing two newbies to one 5 year old. Everything went smooth.....and all three get along great. Just my 3 cents worth. Good luck with what ever way you decide.

I would opt for the bathroom versus the bedroom, and paws under the door is perfectly acceptable. Try taking a long piece of string, tie a desirable toy to each end, lay the toy down in the new cat's room, run the string under the door into the hallway or the other room where the resident cat is, and have them meet that way-

Originally posted by hissy
I would opt for the bathroom versus the bedroom, and paws under the door is perfectly acceptable. Try taking a long piece of string, tie a desirable toy to each end, lay the toy down in the new cat's room, run the string under the door into the hallway or the other room where the resident cat is, and have them meet that way-

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Trust me Hissy I respect your opinions and knowledge more than you will ever know The only problem that I have with your method is if either cat got the toy off the string...or chewed through the string....it could easily be ingested by the cat and could cause a blockage which as you know is a very dangerous situation. I don't think in my opinion that any cat or cats should be anywhere near a string or thread unsupervised because of this. Especially if they are kittens...like I said before...just my 3 cents worth.

Hissy,

The bathroom is too small, though. I couldn't keep her litterbox far enough away from her food dishes (at least according to the "rules" of cat bathroom and dining etiquette). And putting something heavy against the door (to keep it mostly shut) is difficult when you have to pull something toward the door as you back out of the room. *sigh* I really can't see any other option other than to quarantine the baby in our bedroom--unless someone can attest that a litterbox can be kept a bit closer than 10' away from food.

Originally posted by Jenk
Hissy,

The bathroom is too small, though. I couldn't keep her litterbox far enough away from her food dishes (at least according to the "rules" of cat bathroom and dining etiquette).

And putting something heavy against the door (to keep it mostly shut) is difficult when you have to pull something toward the door as you back out of the room. *sigh* I really can't see any other option other than to quarantine the baby in our bedroom--unless someone can attest that a litterbox can be kept a bit closer than 10' away from food.

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My litter box is 9 feet away from my food and water dish at my house. I just pulled out my tape measure. It is no issue at all for my three cats. I don't think it would be for yours either as long as it is kept kleen. Please check your PM

Hissy,

I will bust out the tape measure tonight and see what I can finangle. One thing is for sure, though: no one will be able to maneuver in that bathroom until the new kitty comes out of quarantine.

no you are absolutely right, it should be a supervised activity and the string should be 100% cotton. I apologize for typing so quickly (force of habit)