Introducing Cats: How Long Will It Take?

On Tuesday I adopted a super sweet kitty from another TCS member (eilcon). I made sure April Joy didn't see me bring him into the apartment. I set up food, water, toys, a bed and 2 litter pans in the laundry room. I've been exchanging the towels that cover their beds so they can get used to each other's scents. Their food bowls are on each side of the door so they are closer to each other when they eat. When I crack the door slightly, there is no hissing or growling. But when I tried to introduce them all the way last night, Christopher Cody started hissing. I think he is afraid of April Joy and I need help getting them to be comfortable with each other. How long does it take? Is there anything else I should be doing?

When we brought home our 2nd cat, all the research said to confine the new kitty to a small room for AT LEAST a week or two, and let the cats 'meet' under the door. Your old kitty will get used to the idea of having a new kitty in the house and your new kitty will have time to get used to being in a new environment.

The time needed for introduction varies by the temperament of the cats being introduced - territorial cats need a long time (my cats took a month), friendly cats need less, but I agree with MrsMeowgi's assessment of at least a week.

The way I knew when it was OK to open the door & introduce my cats was after the hising and growling at the door stopped, and they started trying to play with each other under the door.

It took me two months to get Diesel and Portia to be with each other without Diesel beating the hell out of her!

If its just hissing then I wouldn't worry too much!! You get worried if the fur starts to fly. There is always going to be the initial territory issues, just make sure both cats get the same amount of love and attention!

Good luck!

It took SIX MONTHS for Pete Pete & The Colonel (both adult females) to be able to be in the same room together without hissing, spitting, or growling (which was all on the part of Pete Pete, who had been the resident cat). Now that we are working on adding Odd, another adult female, we have been using Bach Flower Essences on testy Pete Pete with much success.

Amanda

We kept PJ and Teddy isolated for a week (they're old, though, which was another issue to deal with as well). Teddy got out one day during that week by accident when we were entering his room, and PJ began growling and hissing.
So, we started supervised visits for the next week, and Teddy slept in his room at night. PJ still growled and hissed for 2-3 months.

After about 6 months, they started sitting in the same room together and now (1.5 years later), they can both sit in my lap at the same time - one on each leg - though not touching. They don't cuddle, they don't groom each other, but they do chase a little, and they eat next to each other and sniff each other sometimes. Again, they're older... but it did take time. We hope to see them cuddle some day.

i always comment on stuff like this because i have a cat (Shiraz) who will attack my roommate's cat (jingles) eventhough i've had her for 4 months and i still cannot let her out of my room. she took a chunk of fur out of Jingles' head the first week she was here and it doesnt look like she'd do any less now. I wish they'd just hiss at spit at eachother but I'm afraid Shiraz will really hurt Jingles, so I've had to keep her in my room, which I feel bad about every day but she just doesnt give me any other choice. That's just me venting again... it's scary and stressful and I wish they could at least just tolerate eachother if anyone has been through this, i'd love some input. thanks so much... hope your situation gets better as well!

Originally Posted by Seppolina

It took SIX MONTHS for Pete Pete & The Colonel (both adult females) to be able to be in the same room together without hissing, spitting, or growling (which was all on the part of Pete Pete, who had been the resident cat). Now that we are working on adding Odd, another adult female, we have been using Bach Flower Essences on testy Pete Pete with much success.

Amanda

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I bought some Bach's rescue remedy yesterday for Christopher Cody. April Joy seems like she really wants to play but he won't come up to the door most of the time. I guess it takes longer than I thought. Thanks to everyone for your ideas and experiences. TCS rules!

It only took 2 weeks for our two girls to get along.Blaze had been an only kitty, around 6 months old,spayed and then Neela came to us from a TCS member...she was around 6 months old,spayed also.The first couple of days, Blaze spit,hissed,growled and didn't care much for me. But after 2 weeks, they groom one another,chase and play with each other. I think it depends on the cat. Good luck

I just got a new kitten, and after a week and a half, they are sleeping together, grooming each other, even eating out of the same bowl! Just be patient with them, and have faith!! Good luck!

crittermom said:

It only took 2 weeks for our two girls to get along.Blaze had been an only kitty, around 6 months old,spayed and then Neela came to us from a TCS member...she was around 6 months old,spayed also.The first couple of days, Blaze spit,hissed,growled and didn't care much for me.

But after 2 weeks, they groom one another,chase and play with each other.

I think it depends on the cat. Good luck

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Hi, we let our two kitties meet after 5days because our residential cat seemed so interested and she just kisses and bats at her but nothing super aggressive. Did your cats hiss?