AboutDear Tabbi Expertise I try to help people understand their cats and their cat's behavior.
I do not answer questions about pedigreed cats as mine are, and always have been, from questionable parentage. Please remember I am NOT a veterinarian.
Experience At the current time I have 13 cats. All are spayed and neutered!
Since I was a child I have been owned by lots of cats and kittens of almost every temperment, behavior, and personality. I have experience with neurotic, disabled, stray, feral, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats has taught me that I want to share.
Question QUESTION: What is the best way to introduce 2 cats. We have a siamese male, 12 yrs and have just adopted a 1 year old stray who was hanging around our house. Our siamese is usually very territorial and will try to fight/attack other cats. He wasn't this way with the new cat, so we decide to adopt her. Currently she is at the Vet's office and I was wondering what is the best way to introduce the new one into the household, and what should I expect in the way of behaviours from each cat. The male is named Bud, the girl we have named Roxy. Please be specific as I am new at pet ownership, and do not want to cause harm to either cat. Thank you for taking the time to read this and getting back to me. Regards, Diane.
ANSWER: Diane,
That is nice of you to adopt the stray...she is a lucky kitty!
When you bring Roxy home from the vet's office, she will have an assortment of veterinarian smells on her fur. Cats go by smell recognition and not by sight, (with humans it is by voice recognition, not sight) so she will smell different and your Siamese may think she is a different cat and react accordingly. It may not happen, but don't be upset if it does. That is a common reaction when one cat goes to the vet. The smells just have to wear off.
Cats do not follow text book behavior. All cats are different in temperment, personalities, experiences, inherited traits etc. so you can't really expect a certain behavior, you just have to be prepared for it. Or have an understanding on how to avoid or encourage certain actions.
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 the introductions properly. They should be helpful as a guide.
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)
Bud is approximately 64 years old in human years and Roxy is approximately 15 years old. A lot of older cats will get very stressed with a new, younger cat but it sounds as if you may have an easier adjustment between them than some. Since Bud has already met Roxy all the intoduction steps may not pertain to your situation.
You don't say whether Roxy has been in the house or just outside. If Roxy hasn't been in the house freely then Bud may get territorial. I have found there isn't any 'normal' behavior with cats so he may surprise you. With an older cat the introduction process can be longer than with the introductions of younger cats, but again it depends on Bud and how is he reacts and feels about Roxy being there. He may decide "ho-hum, another cat, no big deal, OK I'll let her stay" or he may decide "No-Way Jose is this whipper-snapper coming into MY home". Bud may get territorial about YOU but not his house. I had one person write that did the introductions fine and didn't have a problem with the cats getting along EXCEPT when she petted the new cat! Then her resident cat would attack the new cat! Be sure that you give Bud plenty of love and reassurance that he is not being replaced in your affections. It's also good to periodically lock one up in a room and spend 'quality' time with the other.
Don't get overly concerned about hissing, spitting, slapping, and growling. That is normal 'kitty communication'. When you need to worry is when ears are pinned back, major fur flys, or blood is being shed.
If either cat getting stressed you can get what is called Feliway (or Comfort Zone with Feliway). It is a spray and you can get plug-ins (try PetSmart, a vet (they use it too), or on-line). It is very popular and is great for calming cats and reducing anxiety. It copies the relaxing pheromones that cats produce from rubbing their faces on things.
There is also a calming product that you can add to their food or water that reduces anxiety called Bach's Rescue Remedy. It is available on-line and in health food stores. Here is a link about it: http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm
Once they can be together semi-calmly feed both cats yummy cat treats (like tuna, sardines (in oil), pieces of raw steak, etc.) 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 two cats. They both can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cat as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.
I hope this information is helpful. There are SO many variables that you kind of have to play it by ear and make adjustments according to how it's going. And remember you can write me back anytime you have a question or concern as you go along. Just be patient and loving and things will work out fine.
Tabbi
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I have now introduced the 2 cats, Bud and Roxy. The only behaviour problem we are having is Bud the male continuously sprays urine in Roxy's litter box while refusing to allow her near his litter box. How can I correct this?
Answer Diane,
More than likely he is showing his dominance and being territorial, plus he is probably still not used to her and is stressed about it. The bladder is the cat’s stress target. One of the most common feline responses to stress is inappropriate elimination.
Are the two litterboxes separated far enough? In different rooms? If there is not a problem with her using the litterbox then just try to keep the litterboxes scooped out and let them work it out. He should settle down when he gets used to her being around AND when he feels that she understands who is the actual 'boss' cat in the family!
