how to intergrate homelss cat with my older indoor cat

Hi
I'm new to the forum. An abandoned cat found his way to us. We took him to the vet, he's a Himalayan, 8 y/o, was neutered, we got him his shots, removed all the matted hair, treated for ear mites and will take him in for infected teeth to be pulled. We set up litter pans with dirt for him to get used to using a kitty litter pan.
Problem is our indoor cat, who is around 13, is a meanie to other cats. Doesn't attack, just the growling and noise. So I have to wait until she's snoozing to let our new addition into the house to get out of the cold. And winter isn't even in full bloom yet. He's found his way to under our home in spite of getting him a nice cat house with a heating pad. And I've gotten him a piece of carpet with a fleece pad over it for now. We will build something and use straw as recommended but not much height room under the home. So I'm worried about him and then I start to worry about all outside animals, losing sleep.
I told my husband I want to set up the laundry room or a bedroom and keep the door closed so our other cat reach him.
Any ideas on how to integrate them, or is it a lost cause?
What experiences do you have with keeping cats outside with shelter.
I need some assurance and advice.

Hi Andie, I am sure you will get some good advice on here because there are many people who have a ton of experience in this area.  Thank you for caring about the cat.  You didn't say but it sounds like he must be somewhat socialized and does ok around you and your husband?  That should help with the integration.  I totally understand what you are talking about when you say you start worrying about all the outside animals.  I do the same thing.  Fortunately we have had a mild fall so far so I have been able to put off my fretting for a bit.    Best of luck to you!

Welcome to the forums and thank you so much for rescuing this sweet boy.  Here are a few links to some sites with help on doing cat to cat introductions.  I will also post a video at the bottom of this message.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

Here are a few other tips:

1. I made sure to have plenty of feliway /comfort zone on hand.  I used the plug ins and the sprays.  I had them wherever the cats were.  I also used Composure liquid Max.  I first used it on both cats and then only on the more aggressive cat.  You can find it on Amazon.  Most pet stores only carry the treats and some cats do not like the taste of the treats.  The liquid is very easy to use.  It helped to calm both of the cats so they could focus on other things.

2.  Be sure to have play time with all of the cats.  Jackson Galaxy has a  technique of "Eat Play Love"  You can use this technique with your cats as a group when they are ready or separately.  Food is such a great motivator for cats.  When my two were ready for face to face (without a barrier) time, I used plain cooked chicken.  They began to associate each other with it. 

3.  I bought a cheap ($20) wooden screen door from Lowes/Home Depot.  Instead of defacing my door way, I attached it with cheap ($4) tension rods.  It was a pain to set it up and take down, but it worked wonders.  I put a baby gate in the door way for extra protection as the screen was flimsy.  I always supervised their time near the screen door too.  Yet, it allowed the cat in the room to feel part of the household.  He could see, hear and smell what was going on in the house.  I have pictures of the set up if you would like to see.

4.  I also moved to a large dog cage.  One cat would go inside and I would cover the cage with a sheet on 3 sides.  I would feed something delicious to both.  It allowed them to safely smell each other.  I gradually removed a side of the sheet as time went by.  I often did this activity 3 or more times in a day for short 5 minute or less sessions.

I've successfully introduced new cats into my household many times over the years. Five weeks ago I took in a stray young male cat,  and he is now fully integrated into my household with my 4 other cats.  

My method has been to confine the new cat to his own room for about a week (each cat has been different and had a different time span--some have gotten the run of the house after a few days, and one was inside a room with a baby gate for a month because she was ill). In his room he has his own litter box, food and water bowls, and toys. I allow short, supervised periods of introductions with the other cats. I start with my most gentle cat, Leo, who accepts every cat, bringing him into the room and holding him in my arms so the cats can see each other. The cats can also smell and hear each other under the door, and often will paw at each other under the door so it becomes a kind of play. I also will put the new cat in a pet carrier and bring him in the carrier into my living room and other rooms in the house to allow him and the other cats to watch each other without having physical contact. It also allows the new cat to get a feel for different parts of my house. After about a week, most of my new cats are restless and wanting the run of the house--they will cry a lot and scratch at the door- so I let them out of the room, but keep their own litter box and food and water bowl in there so they have a sense of a safe space. There is a period of hissing, growling, chasing, and other drama that lasts for a few days, but it sounds much worse than it is. None of my cats have ever hurt each other--cats only hurt each other when fighting for mates or territory outdoors--neutered cats who have plenty of access to food inside don't fight aggressively. During this adjustment time, I give special attention to all of the other cats--new toys, special food treats, more play time with all of them. I remove the extra litter box from the new cat's room and they all use each other's litter boxes and the communal food bowls which always have dry food in them so no one is stressed about food. Within a month, all is calm. I have learned that no matter how hard we try to protect cats from the initial hissing and fussing with each other, they are going to work out things in their own way and in their own time. I have learned that cats will adjust to each other and learn to live peacefully together much more effectively than humans do!  

Introducing a new cat to an older cat is actually not too hard. Whenever I've taken in a new cat, my two geriatric cats don't bother much with him initially, and are very patient (they've been through this many times before!). After about a month, the older cats will either become buddies with the new cat, or will live and let live with the new cat. Older cats are not interested in conflict over dominance or space--they want to have a peaceful home and be able to sleep! Introducing a new young male cat to another young male cat who is the alpha cat is much more challenging, even when they are both neutered. My new stray, Sonny, spent a week chasing and intimidating my alpha cat, Harry. Then Harry spent a week chasing Sonny and re-asserting his dominance. By the third week they were chasing each other back and forth and it became a game. Now they play with and fuss with each other constantly, and leave the two old cats alone, which is great.  I feed Sonny and Harry special treats side by side, and they understand they are "book ends," the same, and apart from my two geriatric cats and my one female cat who has some lameness.   

After the vet check and vaccinations, take the stray cat in with your old cat. You'll need patience and time, but within a month or two, the cats will adjust and either live and let live, or become good buddies.  

Wonderful! So it can be done! So good to know.  Great ideas!

I will get to the store ans amazon today!

It wasn't to bad a start since they have smelled each other previously and seen each other.

My older cat went off to her room to sleep on her futon after a few minutes. So it seems she's getting used to the idea.

Our newbie, was a little anxious being in a room with other cats smells, explored and then I took him out again since I had to leave for work.

Tomorrow, I will do it for longer length of time.

So good to hear. I'm already feeling better knowing others have done this and succeeded.

thank you

If the two cats are already familiar with each other and not fussing too much, then you should have a fairly calm transition. Your old cat may enjoy having the companionship of another cat. I personally believe that cats are happiest if they have at least one buddy to share their lives with.  

Wanted to give an update since I am so amazed at the results we've gotten from all the wonderful advice we received here.

Bought that amazing miracle cat litter and set up two litter boxes just for him and we have our regular one for our other cat. - super expensive, but so worth it.  He is fully trained and even goes in the one with the plain litter.

He comes into the house in the evening, we had used the gate to separate the two cats but he jumps it, so we don't even bother any more. The two of them just look at each other and make noise. He wants to make friends but she's not ready yet.

Sleeps in on the couch and after breakfast hangs out outside. Weather still nice during the day. Headed to colder weather so he'll probably go to the cat house we have under the house with the heated mat. When I'm home during the day he'll come in to roam around. I want the two of them to get used to each other.

We had taken him to the vet to get all his shots. Turned out his gums were infected and all his teeth had to be pulled. He was badly infected and wound up with growths in his throat. Biopsy negative, so they put him on antibiotics and steroids to clear it up. He's doing well.

Our other cat, also had a toothache and had to have a couple of teeth extracted. She's having a bit more problem recuperating. I am pureeing all her food and after the pain meds kick in she is able to eat. Today was the first time in a week she ate a whole can. Before that it was a tablespoon here and there. I was so worried. This is as bad as watching children who are ill.

The only issue I need to figure out is - he wakes me at 3:30 every morning to eat. If I put food out before I go to bed, he eats it right away.

Any ideas? Can't leave dry food out since he just had all his teeth pulled.

So again, thank you for all the great info on this website.

It seems like the situation is progressing nicely.  Keep up the good work. 

As far as waking for food, you will either need to bite the bullet and not feed him until later as once you start feeding at that time it is very hard to break them of the habit.  One of my; indoor only boys wants to eat all the time.  He spent most of his time with my son and slept with my son.  During the night, DS would give the cat treats.  DS went off to college in the fall and the cat was wanting to eat all night.  He would come into our bedroom and be totally obnoxious.  I decided to shut him in my sons room until breakfast time.  I had to do it 2 nights and he has been fine every since. 

Another solution is to get a food time.  Since the cat needs wet food it's a bit trickier, but I bet you could put an ice pack under it to keep it cool.  They sell pop up timers you can set each night.  I have used them when we have traveled for a day.