Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/2/2009

Question
Hi. I was wondering if you have any advice for when my boyfriend and I merge households. I have two cats male and female 5 years old, clawed. My boyfriend has two male and one female, all declawed. All five cats are indoor cats. I would really prefer not to get them declawed, I don't know if they would even let me at their age, but what are my options? I don't know how my cats will react to his. They have never been with other cats except at the shelter when they were kittens, or at the vets office. My boyfriend thinks that they may fight, I guess, I wouldn't want them to get hurt. Any advice would be helpful being that I just don't know which way to turn

Answer
Edit: Sorry, I neglected to send the photo of the crate and I cant attach a photo now unless you send me a followup to this answer.

Renee,

It is always difficult to merge household cats and it takes a lot of time and patience. Mostly it is a territorial issue. And the older the cats the harder change is on them. Older cats can't take stress as well as a younger cat.

I would NEVER de-claw a cat but I WOULD keep your cat's claws trimmed to prevent a chance of accidental injury.  Here is a website that shows with photos how to trim a cat's claws:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into the address bar)

http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm

You need to go through an introduction process that can take anywhere from two weeks to two months. You can't just put them together and expect them to happily get along...that rarely happens. I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process as a guide for you:
(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...

I use a big dog crate for a new cat. I got mine at Petco and I am attaching a picture of it. It has room for litterbox, food and water, small cat carrier without the door for a bed and to get up on, and they still have room. That way they can get used to other cats around, and the other cats can sniff and check them out safely. You can gradually let the cats out for short periods of time as they start getting used to each other. You can switch and let the new cats out to investigate the home safely while the resident cats are in the crate getting used to the new cat's smells.

Once they can be together without fighting feed both 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 all 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' which helps them get used to each other.

Hisses, growls, and slaps are normal kitty communication and are warnings to each other and nothing to worry about. When to be concerned is when there are ears pinned back, yowls, blood being shed, or major fur flying!

Also what I would do is start the introduction process now so it is less stressful when it happens and there is some familiarity. Take your cats in carriers for short stays to your boyfriend's house. Get them used to being in a vehicle, seeing his cats, and get them used to the smells and noises of what is going to be their new home. It will be a little less stressful for them if everything isn't totally new at once.

You may want to collar train them too, and put your phone number and address taped to the collar in case one accidently gets out of the new house. I would also carry them around outside so they can see and smell what is out there.

It will work out if you take it slow and don't force them together until they are ready.

Tabbi