Cat owners - question about 2nd kitty
We adopted a beautiful, crazy, loving, vocal, smart, fun cat in January from a local shelter. He's now about a year old, and we think he's either part Bengal or Savannah (the vet leans towards Savannah). His name is Sheldon, after the character on Big Bang Theory, because he's so smart and quirky.
We (well I, not so much my husband) are considering adopting a 2nd one, both because we have so much fun with Sheldon, and to give him a playmate when we are not home. I'm concerned, however, how Sheldon will react to another cat in 'his' house (he's fixed, btw).
Oh, here's a pic of him:
So for those of you who have introduced another cat when you already had one (or 7), what advice do you have? Did you keep them separate for a day or 2? Toss them in the same room and let them duke it out (just kidding, I wouldn't do that), or just let them get used to each other all at once?
We (well I, not so much my husband) are considering adopting a 2nd one, both because we have so much fun with Sheldon, and to give him a playmate when we are not home. I'm concerned, however, how Sheldon will react to another cat in 'his' house (he's fixed, btw).
Oh, here's a pic of him:
So for those of you who have introduced another cat when you already had one (or 7), what advice do you have? Did you keep them separate for a day or 2? Toss them in the same room and let them duke it out (just kidding, I wouldn't do that), or just let them get used to each other all at once?
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I just adopted a kitten about 3 weeks ago. I already had 2 cats. I kept the kitten in a separate room for 2 days and only allowed him out of his room when i was there to supervise. One of the cats couldn't care less about the kitten. The other cat was territorial with hissing. After the 1st week the hissing became a little less. Now its week 3 and all the cats play with each other and eat together.0
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I just adopted a kitten about 3 weeks ago. I already had 2 cats. I kept the kitten in a separate room for 2 days and only allowed him out of his room when i was there to supervise. One of the cats couldn't care less about the kitten. The other cat was territorial with hissing. After the 1st week the hissing became a little less. Now its week 3 and all the cats play with each other and eat together.
Aww, didn't know you were a cat person. I like you a little more now
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I have four cats at present. With any new cat I put the new cat in a separate room when either me or my husband are not present. I also try feeding the new cat and resident cat on opposite sides of the door which separates them so they get used to each others scents and associate something pleasant with being near each other. It may take a while for total house harmony but keep at it. I also have Feliway diffusers in my home when I can afford them to try to keep tempers even between two cats who are still a bit jealous of each other after 2+ years.0
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Cats are actually pretty solitary creatures and many prefer to be an only cat.0
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We tried for a year to introduce Joey to Midas and they hated every minute of it. They were both fixed, but in the end Midas was and still is ruler of this house. He weighs 20 lbs, so he is King (hence the name)
Here is my baby, I'm like that annoying parent who shows everyone pics of their children, sorry :laugh:
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I have 3 cats and I am lucky that they are all sweethearts. There was a bit of hissing at each introduction but it didn't last long.0
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We allowed the new kittys to come into the home and all cats get used to each other right away. Never separated them but definitely made sure there was supervision, just in case. I have 4 cats, all rescued by my adult children who eventually "gave" them to us to care for after their circumstances had changed. Fortunately, the house is fairly large and they have plenty of solitary space if they so chose. We have one female cat who, along with her brother from the same litter, were the first cats to arrive. She loves her brother but barely tolerates the other two males who joined our family years later. Sometimes I am the referee. LOL0
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I had a very similar situation! We got a kitten and as he grew we noticed he had a "wild side" and the vet said he was a Maine Coon. He NEEDED a playmate. So, when he was about 7-8 months we adopted a Russian Blue kitten who was10 weeks at the time (i think) and we followed the adoption company advice, which was to keep them separate and VERY slowly introduce them. First, we rubbed a towel on each of their cheeks and let the other kitten smell that for a while. Then used toys and let one kitten play with it then the other to get used to their scents. Then we had them sniff each other through the door. A show on animal planet also suggested having them see each other without contact using a sliding glass door, we just didn't have a place to do that. Then after about a week we slowly introduced them for a few minutes, then an hour, and extended it each time over the next few weeks. We kept this up for about 3 weeks total until it was SO hard to keep them apart as one would dash where the other one was.
A few side notes, the new kitten and "old" kitten were both neutered (both male) before all this and even though they are now together all the time, we still have two litter boxes and two food bowls, two water bowls, etc. They became the best of friends and play together all the time and we have never had a issue with hissing or clawing/biting meant to hurt the other kitten, even though the "old" kitten was significantly larger and has more powerful claws that the younger kitten. The more you ease them into the each other the less likely you will have issues with spraying and marking territory. Worked for our kittens!!0 -
Here they are the first time we caught them snuggling!!!
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When you bring the new kitty into the house keep the new kitty in a crate for awhile. Let them get use to each other that way. Once they seem calm slowly let new kitty out of the carrier, but only in supervised visit until they get use to each other. Not unless you find that they fall head over paws. Most shelters will tell you if a cat is good with other cats. So, that will be something you should look into with the new kitty. It will make things much easier.0
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I just adopted a kitten about 3 weeks ago. I already had 2 cats. I kept the kitten in a separate room for 2 days and only allowed him out of his room when i was there to supervise. One of the cats couldn't care less about the kitten. The other cat was territorial with hissing. After the 1st week the hissing became a little less. Now its week 3 and all the cats play with each other and eat together.
^^^ this is the way to introduce them...slowly and patiently! And if he's a neutered male get a spayed female...0 -
He's so cute! We got a new kitten a year and a half ago when she was 7 weeks. Our older cat was then about 8 and very much not kind to other cats lol. She was raised by a dog but not good with other cats. It took quite a while and a lot of hissing (she still hisses at her all the time) but they are now "friends" (sisters lol) and they nap together and play some. I think over time, your cat will be fine.0
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We tried for a year to introduce Joey to Midas and they hated every minute of it. They were both fixed, but in the end Midas was and still is ruler of this house. He weighs 20 lbs, so he is King (hence the name)
Here is my baby, I'm like that annoying parent who shows everyone pics of their children, sorry :laugh:
So cute!!0 -
Oh, your cat is adorable! We have 2 cats (we had 3 at one time), and kept them separated for a while at first. The 2nd cat we introduced into our house was an orphan kitty, so he needed some special care and was kept by himself for quite a while... so I can't remember the typical time to wait. None of our cats are declawed, and while they played with each other they never really tried to hurt each other. (Now they are old and need to go on diets too, and just cuddle up with each other if a human isn't available).0
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I put the new kitten or cat in a separate bedroom, then put up 3 baby gates like a screen. Then the cats get to know each other with out danger of fights. It seems to work pretty well.0
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i have 6 cats now, and have fostered up to 13 and have fostered over 50 over the years. if you are going to adopt, which is awesome btw, you can separate them if you would like. the day i got each one, no matter how many at that time, i watched them carefully all day to see their reaction. they slept with me at night, and thankfully, most were ok with each other and could care less now. first couple of days i would say when you leave definitely confine them in different rooms. once you think you can trust them just let them roam. mine still hiss once in awhile, but most of them just want to sleep with us and the one with the 3 year old. good luck, and most cats either get along or leave each other alone.0
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good ideas but before you bring ANY new cat into your home, please have it vet checked. You may need to keep it seperate for 7 days if you cant get to the vet right away so that they dont contaminate each other. If they are co-eating, and co-pooping, a worms infestation can be spread through every animal. Plus, ear mites and other, more serious illnesses may be spread.
Vet check, THEN a few days apart, OR 7 days apart or until you can get to the vet.0 -
We tried for a year to introduce Joey to Midas and they hated every minute of it. They were both fixed, but in the end Midas was and still is ruler of this house. He weighs 20 lbs, so he is King (hence the name)
Here is my baby, I'm like that annoying parent who shows everyone pics of their children, sorry :laugh:
So cute!!
Thanks! We try telling him to get a job because he eats so much, but alas, even with a tie no one wants to hire a cat. Weirdos....0 -
awwww you are about to rock his world by bringing another cat into the house! lol
I have two myself, my first one was only 4 months old when I brought the second one in, who was about 3 months. They fought like crazy the first day or two...I just let them go. I figured they were trying to figure out their rank around here. There was hissing and growling but they eventually figured out they had to live with one another.
Now, a little less than two months later, they are playmates and co-conspirators. They love each other. Neither one is fixed (yet) Since your cat is older, it may be interesting to see how it all pans out.
the black & white one is Oscar and the gray one is Blue.
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Some tips I read about when adopting my second kitty.
1. Try to adopt one of the opposite gender. If the first is fixed, it isn't a big deal anyway and it keeps them from being territorial...or helps with it at least.
2. Bathe the new kitty before introducing it to the other cat. That way it has a neutral smell and won't be offensive towards the other one.
3. Make sure you can monitor how the cats behave together for the first few days and keep the separate when you can't be home.
My cats are like brother and sister now (fight like it sometimes too).0 -
good ideas but before you bring ANY new cat into your home, please have it vet checked. You may need to keep it seperate for 7 days if you cant get to the vet right away so that they dont contaminate each other. If they are co-eating, and co-pooping, a worms infestation can be spread through every animal. Plus, ear mites and other, more serious illnesses may be spread.
Vet check, THEN a few days apart, OR 7 days apart or until you can get to the vet.
I agree with this 100%
I lost a cat to feline leukemia last year, it was heart wrenching. He was my only cat at the time, but that can be spread to other cats especially if they share a litter box.0 -
I had a very similar situation! We got a kitten and as he grew we noticed he had a "wild side" and the vet said he was a Maine Coon. He NEEDED a playmate. So, when he was about 7-8 months we adopted a Russian Blue kitten who was10 weeks at the time (i think) and we followed the adoption company advice, which was to keep them separate and VERY slowly introduce them. First, we rubbed a towel on each of their cheeks and let the other kitten smell that for a while. Then used toys and let one kitten play with it then the other to get used to their scents. Then we had them sniff each other through the door. A show on animal planet also suggested having them see each other without contact using a sliding glass door, we just didn't have a place to do that. Then after about a week we slowly introduced them for a few minutes, then an hour, and extended it each time over the next few weeks. We kept this up for about 3 weeks total until it was SO hard to keep them apart as one would dash where the other one was.
This is the way my vet suggested it if I had to introduce another cat into my household. I would recommend talking to your vet about your cat for any health issues that could cause a problem. When a friend of mine asked if I would foster her sister's cat, I checked with my vet because my cats are both over 10. He said in normal circumstances, he would have me do what the response I quoted says, but because one of my cats has strokes which can cause him to attack unprovoked (I'm thankful that it hasn't happened in a while) and while I can get him in a safe spot until the stroke is over, I couldn't leave him alone with a new cat, because the stress of a new cat could trigger him, especially since I live in a small condo so I really don't have the space to separate them.
Good luck with your new kitty and future new kitty!
A few side notes, the new kitten and "old" kitten were both neutered (both male) before all this and even though they are now together all the time, we still have two litter boxes and two food bowls, two water bowls, etc. They became the best of friends and play together all the time and we have never had a issue with hissing or clawing/biting meant to hurt the other kitten, even though the "old" kitten was significantly larger and has more powerful claws that the younger kitten. The more you ease them into the each other the less likely you will have issues with spraying and marking territory. Worked for our kittens!!0 -
Has your cat seen other cats out the window? if yes, what was the reaction? If he acts aggresive through a window, then it's not a good idea to get another kitty. If there's no reaction then get a female kitten not a male & keep her in a seperate area for a few days. Switch them around to let them get the scent of the other without visual contact. Put the new one back in her own area again. After a couple of days you can introduce them under supervision by letting them mingle in the same areas.
my kitties
An adult male is more accepting of female kitten, while an adult female will accept either gender.0 -
I got a second cat a few months ago. My existing cat was small female black cat and quite old and becoming an anti social basement dweller. She'd gotten into the habit of mrrrrowwling around the house for no real reason and wasn't very cuddly (I did take her to the vet and she was fine). She'd been the only cat for quite a while but used to be very bonded with a big grey male tabby. So, when I decided to get another cat I got another male tabby, this time a big orange one. He seemed pretty mellow and very friendly a lot like my old cat.
When I first brought new cat home I put him and litter and food in my office and kept the door shut for a bit. After a while he started scratching at the door all the time, so I put a barricade in the basement stairwell (no door) so they could see each other and sniff each other but no contact. I fed them wet food (which old cat loves but had rarely been getting) on either side of the baricade.
The first time I let them both out, old cat was wary and not at all happy about it and playing aggresor, and new cat flopped on the floor and mewed like a kitten heh. It was pretty adorable. For a long time they were pretty wary of each other and it seemed to me old cat was much more aggresive toward new cat than the other way around. This kind of worked out well because new cat is about twice her size. She's a tiny little thing.
Anyway I think I got him in about March or early April, and now they are both free range in the house again. They only rarely hiss at each other and nothing serious. There are two litter boxes where they can both get to them,and one water and dry food dish. They don't curl up together or groom each other like old cat used to with the grey tabby, but they sniff each other, and they'll happily sit on the same couch together or eat out of the same dish of wet food without problem. I feed them together partly because one of the books suggested this will help them associate being in proximity with good things. Luckily they both get a share. And now the old cat stays upstairs all the time, and is much friendlier too. I think she enjoys the mental stimulation of another cat around.
Also they are both fixed.0 -
Don't know how my comment ended up in the middle of the one I was quoting...I had a very similar situation! We got a kitten and as he grew we noticed he had a "wild side" and the vet said he was a Maine Coon. He NEEDED a playmate. So, when he was about 7-8 months we adopted a Russian Blue kitten who was10 weeks at the time (i think) and we followed the adoption company advice, which was to keep them separate and VERY slowly introduce them. First, we rubbed a towel on each of their cheeks and let the other kitten smell that for a while. Then used toys and let one kitten play with it then the other to get used to their scents. Then we had them sniff each other through the door. A show on animal planet also suggested having them see each other without contact using a sliding glass door, we just didn't have a place to do that. Then after about a week we slowly introduced them for a few minutes, then an hour, and extended it each time over the next few weeks. We kept this up for about 3 weeks total until it was SO hard to keep them apart as one would dash where the other one was.
This is the way my vet suggested it if I had to introduce another cat into my household. I would recommend talking to your vet about your cat for any health issues that could cause a problem. When a friend of mine asked if I would foster her sister's cat, I checked with my vet because my cats are both over 10. He said in normal circumstances, he would have me do what the response I quoted says, but because one of my cats has strokes which can cause him to attack unprovoked (I'm thankful that it hasn't happened in a while) and while I can get him in a safe spot until the stroke is over, I couldn't leave him alone with a new cat, because the stress of a new cat could trigger him, especially since I live in a small condo so I really don't have the space to separate them.
Good luck with your new kitty and future new kitty!
A few side notes, the new kitten and "old" kitten were both neutered (both male) before all this and even though they are now together all the time, we still have two litter boxes and two food bowls, two water bowls, etc. They became the best of friends and play together all the time and we have never had a issue with hissing or clawing/biting meant to hurt the other kitten, even though the "old" kitten was significantly larger and has more powerful claws that the younger kitten. The more you ease them into the each other the less likely you will have issues with spraying and marking territory. Worked for our kittens!!0 -
I only have one cat but my mother have two... the first cat zeus came as a adult cat because his owner couldn't take care of him. Second cat Mia came to my mother's house when she was like 2 months. They had been together since the first day. Mia is always Jumping and trying to play with Zeus and all the Zeus do is sleep all day... lol
This is my cat
Chonguito
And this are my Mom's cats
Zeus
Mia
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I've always had cats and what I've found has worked best is to bring in a kitten when you have an older cat. That way, the dominance is clearly established. There will probably be the ocassional power struggle throughout their lives (especially if you move or get another pet). But, if you start out with an established older cat (like yours - who is lovely by the way!) and then bring in a kitten, it should set the stage for a parent/child type relationship. Don't be surprised if they totally ignore each other or totally fight it out at the beginning. Both are ways to deal with it. I've found it's best to let them do so without intervention. The only thing you might want to control is giving them separate food and water dishes and making sure they each use their own. Or you might want to have a secret kitten stash that the adult can't get at. Otherwise, someone might get weird about food and starve the other one out. (Imagine if someone gave us separate food bowls and controlled our portions. Hmm........ :O)
(It's too late now, but another great way to do it is to get siblings as kittens. They will always be the best of friends.)0 -
I've had seven cats in total over the years (currently have five) and I've found that males tend to get used to their new home, including other pets, pretty quickly while females will often hide for the first day or two.0
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