Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/4/2008

Question
We have just recently introduced a new male Bombay kitten to our household
with two  Asian male kittens (both approx 6 months old and litter brothers)
Prior to the introduction, the resident brothers were having a great time in
the house and really loving to each other. The chance arose to purchase a
Bombay (which I always wanted) so thinking that the residents were kittens
and the new purchase was only 2.5 months junior they would accept him!
How wrong I was. The brothers are hissing at each other - as well as the new
addition- small fights break out occasionally and one of our normally loving,
sociable Asian brothers now cannot bear to be in the same room as the
Bombay as well as being cuddled by us! The brothers are no longer playing
with each other and I am concerned 3 has become a crowd - any help/advice
would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Stuart,

As stated in my profile, I do not answer pedigreed cat questions. I am not familiar with either breed and I do not want to give you any wrong information their behavior is something that is breed-specific. You should also ask this question of one of our experts in "breeding and showing", or Google BOMBAY CATS or ASIAN CATS to find a website that has information on them with an email address where you can ask them questions.

I can tell you about the generic introduction of any cats. NEVER put a new cat immediately with resident cats. You will most always have  territorial fignts, and it makes it more difficult to correct the behaviorial problems that it causes. Your Asian cats are very stressed by the new cat. The will settle down in time if you go slowly with the introduction process. It may take a month or more. Keep the resident cat's routine as much the same as possible by keeping feeding, play, and sleeping times and locations the same as before the new cat arrived.

When you get a new cat it needs to be kept in one room away from the other cats with food, water, and litter for a few days. That gives the new cat a chance to get to know you, gain confidence and trust, and get acclimated to having a new home. Then you let it explore the home gradually, one room at the time. It is too overwhelming to have a whole big house at one time to be in. You can put the cat in a carrier  for short periods of time in a room that has the most traffic so it can get used to the normal people movements in the house and voices. Then as the cat is comfortable with the expanded area, let it go where it wants but still have the safety of it's 'safe' room to run back into.

You should NOT add the introduction of the resident cats until the new cat feels secure and comfortable with you and the new home. THEN you start the getting acquainted process. Otherwise there are too many new and confusing things going on, and too much to learn and accept all at once.

I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process correctly: (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...

When the cats begin to get along feed all the cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or pieces of raw steak) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant.

Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, etc.) is great for interaction between the cats. They can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cats as they focus on the 'bug'. That helps them get used to each other.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi