How to introduce a new 8 month old cat to the rest of my cats?
Chantelle R asked:
Hi, I just adopted a 8 month old siameseX male from the shelter, I currently have other cats in the house hold. The new kitty was neutered yesterday he is in a different room recovering. He sniffs the other cats from under the door but he really wants to full out attack them! I dont know if i should trust him with my other cats, i know it will take time, but does anyone have any suggestions on how i can slowly introduce him to everyone? ( this is my first time adopting an adult, Im used to kittens)
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Hi, I just adopted a 8 month old siameseX male from the shelter, I currently have other cats in the house hold. The new kitty was neutered yesterday he is in a different room recovering. He sniffs the other cats from under the door but he really wants to full out attack them! I dont know if i should trust him with my other cats, i know it will take time, but does anyone have any suggestions on how i can slowly introduce him to everyone? ( this is my first time adopting an adult, Im used to kittens)
Thank you!
March 1st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
well first hold the cat and let the others come to him. then after that slowly give him a ittle slack. if they get into a fight during the process then pick him up and take him to the other room do this for a bout thirty minutes a day. and before u know it they will get along very well.
March 4th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Just went through this exact same thing! Make sure you keep the new Kitty separate for AT LEAST a week. It’s ok if they play paws under the door, thats a good sign. Rub the cats with a towel and let them smell each others scents. Also try feeding the cats with the towel under there bowl. That way they associate each other with good things like eating. After a few days, open the door a crack and let them see each other. At the end of a week, put the new cat in a crate and let the other cats come see him. The less hissing and growling the better. Try this a few times and once they seem calm, try face to face interaction, but monitor it closely! Once everyone seems calm, no growling or hissing, you should be fine. If not, go back a few steps and repeat. I know a week seems like a long time, but you want the cats to be curious rather than feel threatened. I was really hesitant to wait this long but I’m so glad I did because my cats get along great now.
March 7th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Just bring him out, hold him, put the other cats on the sofa on the other side of you, pet and talk to all. They will hiss meow and give each other a few swats. If they really get into a big cat fight, give them the water spray treatment. This rarely happens, just the normal introduction attitude. I will be doing the same thing in about 2 weeks. My cat won’t be happy at first, but she will adjust. She has no choice.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
keep the kitten separate for at least 2-3 weeks. Introduce them slowly - they’re most likely all not going to get along at first. It is IMPORTANT that you keep the kitten in “neutral territory” ex- dont put the new kitty where the old ones often go. Keep him in a spare bedroom or something along those lines. Give them ‘visiting times’ - like for the first few days take the new cat out for 5 minutes around your other cats - the few days after that, take the new kitty out for 10 min at a time — etc..
They’re going to hiss and swat at each other (this is normal).
Good luck with your new family member!
March 10th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
If you haven’t brought the kitten into your home yet, when you see it next wipe him/her down with a towel and bring it home with you. Set it very casually on the floor, and let your cats approach it, (don’t bring your cats to the towel like you’re showing them, let them find it on their own). If you have plenty of time in advance, then leave the towel around for several days, and even bring more towels with the kittens’ scent. Place them several places in the house, in the same way you “planted” the first one. It may also be helpful to rub each of your cats down with separate towels and bring them to the kitten.
When it’s time for the kitten to come home for the first time, as you are distracting your resident cats, have a friend, (someone who doesn’t live with you) bring the kitten in and place him or her in a room with the door closed. Also ask your friend to get the food and water dishes and the litter box set up in the closed room. Include toys and a bed, (or just a box with towels). The litter box should be in the opposite side of the room from the food, water and bed. DO NOT set up the kittens room before you bring him home. This will only confuse your cats. The point is to make your older cats think that the kitten suddenly, (and magically!) appeared, without your knowledge.
Your cats will approach the door and pick up on the scent of the kitten. Don’t get discouraged or worried if you hear some hissing and growling, as this is very common. For the first couple days, spend a limited time in the room with the kitten and make sure to give your resident cats plenty of affection, even more than usual. Another helpful thing to try is to attach two toys with a string, and leave them on opposite sides of the door, so the cats can play together.
Cats are very territorial animals, and this is why you don’t want them to see the kitten as an intruder that YOU brought home and shoved in their faces. Cats are very much creatures of habit and routine, so when their routine is disrupted, don’t be surprised if they become very angry. You must be the judge of when they should meet face-to-face, but don’t push things too quickly, it may take a few days of sniffing each other under the door before they have settled down. When you believe they have calmed down and are ready, casually open the door a few inches. Remember, you are being nonchalant about this; do not force them on each other. You should pick a time after both the kitten and your resident cats have just eaten; feed them a treat that you know they will love, (like some of their favorite cooked meat). They will be content and their bellies will be full, so they’re less likely to want to exert a lot of energy in a cat fight. Supervise them and don’t be surprised if one of the older cats swats at or fights with the kitten. Don’t step in and separate them unless someone’s getting hurt worse than just a scratch on the nose. The kitten will probably retreat into his room at which time you should close the door. Increase the time you allow them to interact each day. Don’t leave them together unattended until you are confident that they comfortable with each other. Be patient. It may take a few weeks or even a few months, but if all goes well they will soon become the best of friends.
Extra tip: to ease the initial tension of introduction, rub each cat down with brewer’s yeast powder. Brewer’s yeast is available in natural food stores. It’s all natural, full of vitamin B, and will actually go good for the cats to lick it off. The smell of the brewers yeast helps disguise the foreign odors and each cat will basically smell the same. Don’t use anything like baby powder because the talc isn’t good for the cat to breathe or ingest. You should use the same grooming tools (combs, brushes, towels, mitts) on both cats to transfer their scents to one another.
Good luck!