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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Introducing two cats of same gender

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/22/2008


Question
Hi,
One of my friends is traveling soon and under the circumstances she cannot take her cat with her. Her cat is a male Scottish Fold, 2years old.
My cat who is also a male, Persian cat, 2years old is found to be the definite "boss" of the house and receives all day attention.
My friend couldn't find anyone else to take her cat, and being a cat person I couldn't resist and told her I would take him. We brought them together for a meet and great, to see if they will bond, and after a while of hissing they just starred at each other and weren't very happy. Luckily they didn't fight!
Is there anything I can do before the new cat will be moving in? What should I do to try and bring them together without the awkward hissing? Please help.
Jana


Answer

dog crate for cats
Jana,

Gender doesn't matter, it's the personalities and temperment of the cats involved.

I just took care of a neighbor's cat for 7 weeks recently that was not going to get along with my cats. I found the perfect thing for me that worked like a charm! I got a 48x30x32 dog crate from Petco. There was room for food, water, scratching post, small cat carrier with the door off to sleep in and get up on (to look out a window), and a litterbox...with room left over. It was comfortable for the cat, and the other cats could sniff, smell, hiss, and growl to their hearts delight...but safely. I would let her out to roam when the other cats were asleep or outside. I am attaching a picture of mine (being used to foster kittens and mom right now).

The cats can get used to each that way, and maybe slowly let the cat out to socialize with your cat for short periods of time. Possibly feed them together, or give them cat treats together, like tuna, or sardines in oil, etc., so the cats associate each other with something pleasant. The periods out may become longer until at some point they may get along.

With slow introductions and patience they may be friends and play together. Hissing, growling, and slapping are OK. They are forms of 'kitty communication'. The way one cat will tell another to "keep your distance", "these are the rules of 'my house'", etc. When to be concerned is when tails swish, and/or ears go back, or major fur and/or blood is shed.

Before the cat comes it's good to have the cat brought over for short periods so they become familiar with each other, and so your home becomes a familiar place which will help with the anxiety and separation issues the cat may get. Also switch bedding with the cats so the other cat's smell is familiar.

The most important thing about introductions is to go SLOWLY! Do not try to rush it or force them or you WILL end up with behavior problems. I am including some excellent links to articles on how to do introductions properly. They should be helpful as a guide.
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...


You may also want to try Bach's Rescue Remedy if there is stress when the new cat comes. You can get it at a health food store (people use it too), or online. For most behavioral problems add a dropper full to their drinking water every day until no further signs of distress are present. You cannot overdose the Bach's Remedies, they are non-toxic and have no side effects, and will not adversely affect any other animals in the household. It is fine to put the remedy in a common water dish. A lot of people swear by it! Here is further information on it: (copy and paste, or type, into your address bar)

http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

http://www.nelsonbach.com/BFE_for_pets.html

I hope this helps and gives you some ideas. Good luck!

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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