Expert: Karen Craft - 4/25/2008

Question
Hey,

I have two cats, a 3-4 year old female and a 1.5 year old male.

This Saturday, I found my late grandmother's cat under her building. The cat
had been adopted after my grandmother died, but ran away from its adopting
mother and we haven't seen her in 4 years. She made it back to my
grandmother's building and the neighbors have been feeding her.

She is at least 8 years old, and lived as a stray most of her life.

The cats are all spayed.

About 20 hours ago I brought the stray home. I tried letting them all get to
know each other, but they didn't take to her and were very vocal. Finally they
got her under the bed in one room and wouldn't let her get out of there. Now
she is there (I blocked the door so they can't get in and bother her), and
spends her time under the bed unless I am there. While I'm there she eats and
drinks (haven't seen any sign that she used the box).

The male has spent most of this time on the porch, haven't seen him eat or
use the box. He's trying to ignore the stray. He was so stressed last night that
he hissed at me, and at the female. He seems very restless.

The female is doing a little better, but she keeps a sort of vigil outside the
room where the stray is.

I'm worried about the stray staying under the bed like that, and I'm worried
about the stress they all seem to be experiencing. Is this normal? How long
can I expect it to go on? How do I get them to accept the stray, when they're
so violent (hissing, making strange noises) when they see her?

Can she spend so much time in one room without getting too stressed? What
happens when I go to work for a whole day?

Thank you,
Arkin

Answer
Hi Arkin,

20 hours is not enough time for the cats to get used to each other. Here's a link that you should use to introduce them. http://www.fourpaws.org/pages/adopting_pages/introducing_cats.html

Remember, this takes time. It is fine for her to stay in that room. To help out get something called Feliway Comfort Zone. This will help the cats relax. Keep them separate when you go to work until you are sure that there will be no problems. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen