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Expert: - 10/14/2009


Question
I read all of the introduction processes. Once the new cat is comfortable then how do you get them used to all using the same litter box and eating area, when the new cat just got used to being in a separate room?

Answer
Donna,

I am sorry I did not get back to you sooner, but let me tell you my opinion on numbers of litter pans.  We use one litter pan for every two cats.  In addition, if there is an odd number of cats, then we add one to the number and divide by 2 to get the number of litter pans.  So, if there are 3 cats, they should have two litter pans.  

As far as getting them comfortable in the same eating area, that is pretty easy. Cats are pretty good about eating together.  I would put an extra litter pan in the common area and give the new cat the choice of where it was and where it will be going.  Once the cat seems to be comfortable with the new arrangement, the litter pan where it was can be removed.  A caution is that if your established cats are very territorial about litter pans, they may not let the newbee use an extra litter pan in the common area. However, this happenstance is fairly unusual.  So, you will have to play it a bit by ear.

Best regards... Norm.

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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