One more question (sorry)

I know I've been asking a lot the past couple days. Thanks for all the help

I have one more thing that I've been wondering about.

I read all of the information about introducing new cats to each other, and how you are supposed to keep them in separate rooms for a few days.

My apartment has three rooms total, including the bathroom. Initially I was planning on keeping the new cat (when I find the right one) in the bedroom for a couple of days, but I realized that this might cause more problems. The bedroom seems to be Samuel's favorite place. Its where the closet is that he likes to sleep in, and its where the bed is. We've had a bit of a struggle over him being locked out of that room even now. He'll go around and destroy things if I forget to leave the door open.

I would hate to lock a new arrival in the bathroom. Its very small and not very comfy, although it is quite warm. I'm not sure what is best. I hope I don't have to abandon the idea of a new cat because of territory issues!

Any advice would be appreciated! (hopefully this will be my last question for awhile.)

I don't think the bathroom would be bad for the new kitty. It's temporary, and as you progress you'll be able to let the new one out to exercise and explore while the original cat is in another room....

I volunteer at a cat shelter and those poor babies are in a tiny 2x2 cage. A bathroom is even bigger than that, so it's not inhumane for a temporary period.

Me and my husband had one cat and got another one shortly after. We were not aware of the separation advice and just let them be around each other. For the first couple days are cat Shadow hissed and kept her distance and was even mad at us. Then she would get curious but anytime Merlin came near she would swipe. It took about a week but since then they have been inseparable. I just made sure when we were gone not too keep them together until they were comfortable. But if your in the house it should be fine.

the problem with introducing them right away is that there is no place for them to hide from each other.

I live in an apartment, and I have to be gone from it for several hours a day during the week.

I will probably start off with keeping the new cat in the bathroom. Hopefully they will transition quickly.

when I introduced Cedar into our home, I kept him in our bathroom when we werent home or Tipsy was around. He was happy in there - I made it really comfy with everything he needed.
Its only for a short while and if this is your only option then I think it will be fine.

I agree...the bathroom shouldn't be a problem. We had to keep Sunny there when we brought Hobbes home from having him fixed because she hissed at him like crazy (didn't know about using vanilla extract to neutralize their scents at the time). It's totally humane.

P.S. Don't worry about posting too much...we love to help!!

If you keep him in the bathroom when you're out, can you also keep the lid down just in case, as all that time spent alone in there could bore him silly enough to investigate what he otherwise might never bother with?

I kept Bailey in the bathroom pretty much for the first week. She didn't mind, and would actually hide behind the toilet, so even that tiny room seemed to be too much for her. I would go and sit on the floor with her, and let Sam in with me, a few minutes at first, then for longer periods.

When I was ready to let them be together, unsupervised, I still introduced her to the apartment one room at a time. I figure, a cat pretty much has to know every square inch of the place (at least that's how they act, the check out everything, and notice if anything has been moved), so one room, even a small one, is big for a cat.

Originally Posted by Larke

If you keep him in the bathroom when you're out, can you also keep the lid down just in case, as all that time spent alone in there could bore him silly enough to investigate what he otherwise might never bother with?

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oh definitely. I always keep it down anyway, just in case Samuel decided to check it out one day. I wouldn't want him getting stuck.. the idea gives me the chills.

I needn't have worried.



it looks like my new addition and Samuel are going to be the best of friends.

now all she needs is a name!

Originally Posted by eupnea

I needn't have worried.



it looks like my new addition and Samuel are going to be the best of friends.

now all she needs is a name!

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Awww!! Congratulations on a successful introduction!!