My new kitty and my old kitty ren't getting along very well. I guess If I have to drug them up to make them friends I will. I've heard good things abnout feliway COmfort Zone, whatdo you guys think. I don't want my old kitty to be too stresssed out.
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I introduced my cats face to face..did I ruin any chance of them becoming friends
- Thread starter crescendo
- Start Date
Hey.. how long has the new cat been there? There is usually a big situation for a couple days.. hiding, spitting, hissing and then it calms down and then its still a bit wierd for a couple weeks.. I have introduced adult neutured male cats to one another many times in my life, and I have NEVER seen it not work out. There will be a dominant cat, but they learn to live together. I say give it time! I am also interested in Feliway zone though.. I want to hear the testimonies.
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- #3
The new guy, Ripper, has only been here since Sunday night. Angus likes to hiss and spit at him, and they both have batted at eachother once but no huge cat fights have erupted. I have the new one lin the bathroom when I'm not home, do you think I should keep him there when I'm not home, or just let him out and hope all fares well? Thanks for the help and encouragement!
HI, you are in the "SITUATION" phase.. give it time.. yeah.. I would leave him there for now because if you aren't there to break it up, it could be bad and one of them could get hurt and it could cost money. There is a good article on this site about introducing cats with blankets under doors, check it out!!
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- #5
BTW, this is me. I just remembered my password to this account. I haven't been here awhile, but I'm glad to be back :-)
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #6
or at thw very least walking near eachother without hissing. I've had him since Sunday night..is it too late to start over and try the blanket/vanilla or whatver trick?
whats this vanilla trick?
*just getting prepared if I decided to take in another baby*
*just getting prepared if I decided to take in another baby*
I've done a face to face meeting with cats before and it still worked out in the end. It's just not as smooth a transition. I guess it just stresses them out a lot more. I've also done it the long way and had it not work at all.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #9
SOmethign about rubbing vanilla on the back of both cats tails and neck so they smell the same.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
Do you think it's too late to try the vanilla trick/blanket thing and otehr tips covered in that article?
It's hard to say if you ruined their chances of being friends. I once brought a stray home and plunked him down at my female cat's food bowl. She hated him until the day she died at 17 yrs old.
Other cats may not mind. How are yours acting now?
If your cats are showing signs of aggression, then back up and start all over again and do it slowly this time.
Good luck!
Other cats may not mind. How are yours acting now?
If your cats are showing signs of aggression, then back up and start all over again and do it slowly this time.
Good luck!
I don't think it is too late to try these steps:
Tips For Introducing A New Cat To Your Cat(s)
Keep Them Separated
When you bring your new cat home, have a special place set up
for them. A guest room or the bathroom is ideal. Put food, water and litter box in the room along with toys and a scratching post. Keep your new cat in this room, away from your other cat(s) for about a week. It is tempting to let them interact right away, but you will have much better luck if you wait.
Introduce The Smell First
To a cat, a sniff is worth a thousand words. To get your existing cat use to the smell of your new cat, rub a towel or washcloth gently over the new cat. Let your cat(s) smell the towel, but don't be surprise if your cats start to hiss. Hissing and growling are normal reactions so don't scold them when they hiss or growl. Do the same with our existing cat so the new cat can smell them too. Also, you can leave the carrier you brought the new cat home outside with the existing cat.
Encourage Interaction Through The Door
Place your new cat's food near the door of the room so he/she will stay near the door. Your cat will smell and hear the new cat through the door. Give your cat treats and/or catnip near the door of the new cat's room so that he associates it with good things.
Let Them Roam Alone
Lock up your cat in the bedroom, and let the new cat roam around the house. This lets them explore and exercise, and it also helps them find good hiding places for later. Then put your new cat back in its room and let your old cat walk around and smell them without having to see the new cat. This is another good way to get them use to each other's scent.
Open The Door A Crack
After a few days, carefully open the door a crack so the cats can see each other but can't stick their heads out. Be prepared for some hissing and growling, but if one tries to smack the other, close the door. Do often--a few times a day.
Let Them Out
Bringing a new cat into the house is not unlike introducing a baby to an older sibling. Jealousy and pouting are normal reactions. Even though you are excited about the new member of your family, do not forget the cat that has been your faithful companion until now. Do not yell, scold or punish them for hissing at the newcomer. They may not react like they way you want them to right away, but your cats will come around.
When the time comes to let the new cat out (do not rush--wait a week) and be sure to monitor closely, open the door to see what happens. Most likely your existing cat will hiss and growl, maybe even wail, confirming their worst fears. Unless open fighting breaks out, let them hiss as cats need to establish hierarchy and territorial rights. Even though the growling is upsetting and sounds bad, it's okay.
Reassure your cat verbally and pet him if you can (he may not let you because he's upset so don't take it personally). When is nice or at least non-threatening to the new cat, praise your cat lavishly and give give them treats.
Do Not Expect True Love
We all wish our cats would become best buddies and curl up together, lick each other, etc., but unfortunately this does not always happen. However, your cat and the new will at least form a truce. They may not want to hang out together, but they will eventually respect each other's space and stop hissing. Don't worry if your cats never become best friends because they will still keep each other company and they will both love you.
Living Happily Ever After
Spend time with your cats--brushing, petting and playing with them. Cats may seem aloof and independent, but they need attention from humans. Cats are curious and easily bored. Be sure to provide some sort of new entertainment for your cat everyday. You will be surprised how much fun an empty paper bag can create.
Remember your cat is your responsibility. Just like a child, a cat is innocent. They did not ask to be put in your home, you made that decision. Be sure to live up to your commitment by taking them to the vet for their shots and check-up. Provide them with food and water daily. Scoop their litter box daily and empty the whole thing weekly. Devote time out of your busy schedule to play with them. Never forget the number one ingredient for a happy cat is, LOVE!
Tips For Introducing A New Cat To Your Cat(s)
Keep Them Separated
When you bring your new cat home, have a special place set up
for them. A guest room or the bathroom is ideal. Put food, water and litter box in the room along with toys and a scratching post. Keep your new cat in this room, away from your other cat(s) for about a week. It is tempting to let them interact right away, but you will have much better luck if you wait.
Introduce The Smell First
To a cat, a sniff is worth a thousand words. To get your existing cat use to the smell of your new cat, rub a towel or washcloth gently over the new cat. Let your cat(s) smell the towel, but don't be surprise if your cats start to hiss. Hissing and growling are normal reactions so don't scold them when they hiss or growl. Do the same with our existing cat so the new cat can smell them too. Also, you can leave the carrier you brought the new cat home outside with the existing cat.
Encourage Interaction Through The Door
Place your new cat's food near the door of the room so he/she will stay near the door. Your cat will smell and hear the new cat through the door. Give your cat treats and/or catnip near the door of the new cat's room so that he associates it with good things.
Let Them Roam Alone
Lock up your cat in the bedroom, and let the new cat roam around the house. This lets them explore and exercise, and it also helps them find good hiding places for later. Then put your new cat back in its room and let your old cat walk around and smell them without having to see the new cat. This is another good way to get them use to each other's scent.
Open The Door A Crack
After a few days, carefully open the door a crack so the cats can see each other but can't stick their heads out. Be prepared for some hissing and growling, but if one tries to smack the other, close the door. Do often--a few times a day.
Let Them Out
Bringing a new cat into the house is not unlike introducing a baby to an older sibling. Jealousy and pouting are normal reactions. Even though you are excited about the new member of your family, do not forget the cat that has been your faithful companion until now. Do not yell, scold or punish them for hissing at the newcomer. They may not react like they way you want them to right away, but your cats will come around.
When the time comes to let the new cat out (do not rush--wait a week) and be sure to monitor closely, open the door to see what happens. Most likely your existing cat will hiss and growl, maybe even wail, confirming their worst fears. Unless open fighting breaks out, let them hiss as cats need to establish hierarchy and territorial rights. Even though the growling is upsetting and sounds bad, it's okay.
Reassure your cat verbally and pet him if you can (he may not let you because he's upset so don't take it personally). When is nice or at least non-threatening to the new cat, praise your cat lavishly and give give them treats.
Do Not Expect True Love
We all wish our cats would become best buddies and curl up together, lick each other, etc., but unfortunately this does not always happen. However, your cat and the new will at least form a truce. They may not want to hang out together, but they will eventually respect each other's space and stop hissing. Don't worry if your cats never become best friends because they will still keep each other company and they will both love you.
Living Happily Ever After
Spend time with your cats--brushing, petting and playing with them. Cats may seem aloof and independent, but they need attention from humans. Cats are curious and easily bored. Be sure to provide some sort of new entertainment for your cat everyday. You will be surprised how much fun an empty paper bag can create.
Remember your cat is your responsibility. Just like a child, a cat is innocent. They did not ask to be put in your home, you made that decision. Be sure to live up to your commitment by taking them to the vet for their shots and check-up. Provide them with food and water daily. Scoop their litter box daily and empty the whole thing weekly. Devote time out of your busy schedule to play with them. Never forget the number one ingredient for a happy cat is, LOVE!
No, I don't think it's too late, and I would keep him in the bathroom while you're gone for at least a while longer until you're sure they're getting along. The most important thing, apart from getting them used to each others' scent, is to have them associate each others' smell with good things. So while you're out for the day, leave a hand towl or something that's been rubbed all over the other cat underneath their respective food bowls. Since they've already been together(ish) while you're home, I see no reason to change this, as long as you're there to break up any serious fighting where claws come out. Fluffed tails, ears back are OK - so long as it doesn't progress from there.
The fighting is natural until an alpha is established and the other one accepts it. It can take a few days or a few weeks.
But even once they're both out and around all the time, make sure you have some play time with just one of them at a time (alone in a bedroom or something). Also, give your "original" kitty some extra love. Acknowledge him first, give him treats first - stuff like that to reassure him he's still your guy.
As to the Feliway. We started with one kitty, then rescued and brought inside his brother just a week later. They fought like the dickens for a couple of hours, but that was it. We brought in various kitties over time months after that - some were fosters, and three others became pets. But somewhere along the line we brought in Spooky, who was aggressively mean to new introductions. We live in an RV, so don't have the ability to separate anything other than very tiny kitties when we introduce new cats to our home. We bought both the Feliway spray and the Plug-in system. We almost doused the house with the spray (it gets sprayed on walls and furniture at cat cheek level, and it doesn't stain), and plugged in the other one. It made a real difference. There was still hissing and hitting, but living in such a small place it was so easy to see that overall the level of tension did dramatically drop.
The fighting is natural until an alpha is established and the other one accepts it. It can take a few days or a few weeks.
But even once they're both out and around all the time, make sure you have some play time with just one of them at a time (alone in a bedroom or something). Also, give your "original" kitty some extra love. Acknowledge him first, give him treats first - stuff like that to reassure him he's still your guy.
As to the Feliway. We started with one kitty, then rescued and brought inside his brother just a week later. They fought like the dickens for a couple of hours, but that was it. We brought in various kitties over time months after that - some were fosters, and three others became pets. But somewhere along the line we brought in Spooky, who was aggressively mean to new introductions. We live in an RV, so don't have the ability to separate anything other than very tiny kitties when we introduce new cats to our home. We bought both the Feliway spray and the Plug-in system. We almost doused the house with the spray (it gets sprayed on walls and furniture at cat cheek level, and it doesn't stain), and plugged in the other one. It made a real difference. There was still hissing and hitting, but living in such a small place it was so easy to see that overall the level of tension did dramatically drop.
Oh - almost forgot! I moved this thread over to the appropriate forum, Behavior.
Crescendo, because you figured out how to log back in as "Crescendo" and don't need to use "silentcrescendo" anymore, and there are two threads on the same topic, I'm going to merge them together for you.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #16
They ae'n't fighting but Angus (The older one) does growl and hiss.Originally Posted by patc
It's hard to say if you ruined their chances of being friends. I once brought a stray home and plunked him down at my female cat's food bowl. She hated him until the day she died at 17 yrs old.
Other cats may not mind. How are yours acting now?
If your cats are showing signs of aggression, then back up and start all over again and do it slowly this time.
Good luck!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #17
Thanks :-)Originally Posted by LDG
Crescendo, because you figured out how to log back in as "Crescendo" and don't need to use "silentcrescendo" anymore, and there are two threads on the same topic, I'm going to merge them together for you.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #18
Thank you! I will definately buy the feliway plug-in then.Originally Posted by LDG
No, I don't think it's too late, and I would keep him in the bathroom while you're gone for at least a while longer until you're sure they're getting along. The most important thing, apart from getting them used to each others' scent, is to have them associate each others' smell with good things. So while you're out for the day, leave a hand towl or something that's been rubbed all over the other cat underneath their respective food bowls. Since they've already been together(ish) while you're home, I see no reason to change this, as long as you're there to break up any serious fighting where claws come out. Fluffed tails, ears back are OK - so long as it doesn't progress from there.
The fighting is natural until an alpha is established and the other one accepts it. It can take a few days or a few weeks.
But even once they're both out and around all the time, make sure you have some play time with just one of them at a time (alone in a bedroom or something). Also, give your "original" kitty some extra love. Acknowledge him first, give him treats first - stuff like that to reassure him he's still your guy.
As to the Feliway. We started with one kitty, then rescued and brought inside his brother just a week later. They fought like the dickens for a couple of hours, but that was it. We brought in various kitties over time months after that - some were fosters, and three others became pets. But somewhere along the line we brought in Spooky, who was aggressively mean to new introductions. We live in an RV, so don't have the ability to separate anything other than very tiny kitties when we introduce new cats to our home. We bought both the Feliway spray and the Plug-in system. We almost doused the house with the spray (it gets sprayed on walls and furniture at cat cheek level, and it doesn't stain), and plugged in the other one. It made a real difference. There was still hissing and hitting, but living in such a small place it was so easy to see that overall the level of tension did dramatically drop.
I am also in the process of introducing a new cat to my two cats. Right now I am at the point where Phoebe (the new kitty) is allowed to roam free amongst the house with my other two while I am home, so I can supervise. During the day while I'm at work and at night when I sleep, Phoebe stays in my bedroom while Molly and Lola have the rest of the house. The first couple of days, the sight of Phoebe made my other two hiss and growl but they are slowly progressing. They'll get close to one another now before they get agitated and sometimes even touch noses without a single hiss or swat of the paw.
I was so worried that introducing a new cat would cause so much stress for my babies, but I am learning that as long as I am patient and go slow, things go much smoother.
Good luck!! I think it will work out.
I was so worried that introducing a new cat would cause so much stress for my babies, but I am learning that as long as I am patient and go slow, things go much smoother.
Good luck!! I think it will work out.
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Crescendo,
I have never tried the Comfort Zone, in answer to your question, although I've seriously wanted to try it.
I had sort of a different experience with my two cats! I guess they were "meant" for each other...
I read all that stuff about how to introduce your new kitten/cat to an existing cat and was SO nervous about bringing Jasmine home b/c she was barely 6 weeks old and oh so tiny. Leo has always been a gentle cat and very loving but I was still paranoid to death that he would hurt her. I had planned to do it RIGHT BY THE BOOK.
The minute I brought her home, I let him sniff her in her carrier and of course his tail fluffed out but no hisses or growls. Then I took her to her "room" for the night, shut the door, and let her out. Leo just sat outside the door waiting for a chance to come in and check her out. I finally said what the heck, wrapped her in a towel and holding her very closely to me, let him in.
He walked right over to her, sniffed her, then licked her very gently on the top of the head several times.
Never one time did he hiss or growl or even act aggressive. Of course, he was cautious around her but my biggest problem with Leo is he thought she was a new toy and kept trying to grab her and roll around on the floor! I kept her closed in a room when I wasn't home to supervise, but within less than 2 weeks, Leo had accepted her as one of the family and I could trust him alone with her. All the books say 6-8 weeks, but it really depends on the cat.
Leo had always slept with me and after bringing Jasmine home, it was a good 6 months before he slept with me at night again! I think he had thought I replaced him but I made sure to give him lots of love and attention and he soon learned he had not lost his "status". Now he's right back on top of my feet where he used to be.
Plus, he and Jasmine are great playmates.
I have never tried the Comfort Zone, in answer to your question, although I've seriously wanted to try it.
I had sort of a different experience with my two cats! I guess they were "meant" for each other...
I read all that stuff about how to introduce your new kitten/cat to an existing cat and was SO nervous about bringing Jasmine home b/c she was barely 6 weeks old and oh so tiny. Leo has always been a gentle cat and very loving but I was still paranoid to death that he would hurt her. I had planned to do it RIGHT BY THE BOOK.
The minute I brought her home, I let him sniff her in her carrier and of course his tail fluffed out but no hisses or growls. Then I took her to her "room" for the night, shut the door, and let her out. Leo just sat outside the door waiting for a chance to come in and check her out. I finally said what the heck, wrapped her in a towel and holding her very closely to me, let him in.
He walked right over to her, sniffed her, then licked her very gently on the top of the head several times.
Leo had always slept with me and after bringing Jasmine home, it was a good 6 months before he slept with me at night again! I think he had thought I replaced him but I made sure to give him lots of love and attention and he soon learned he had not lost his "status". Now he's right back on top of my feet where he used to be.
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