Expert: Norman Auspitz - 12/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: Recently adopted a third cat, already have a feral and a Maine Coon cat,both male.  just got along haired tuxedo, female.  How do  I introduce them to each other without having a cat fight, already had one with the Maine Coon  The Tuxedo now perches on the highest spot in the room to watch for the attacking cats.  The feral, tabby, seems to be afraid of the new one, so far he hasn't wanted anything to do with her, good thing.   I close the bedroom door at night and the Tux sleeps with me, the other cats usually do, but until they get used to each other I think that if the best.  I also have food and a litter box in the bathroom off of the bedroom just for her.  The males are 4-6 years hold and the Tux is I'm not sure, maybe 1-2 years, won't know till  I take her to the vet fo a check up.  any suggestions?

ANSWER: Kevin,

Unfortunately, they cannot be introduced carefully, as the proverbial cat is now out of the bag.  What I would do is to let them have free reign and sort it out amongst themselves.  Generally cats will not really hurt each other.  They have very, very tough skin and play with each other making lots of noise and lots of biting and scratchiong, and even loosening up each other's fur.

Cats have a rather noisy, apparently violent set of "getting to know you rituals", which they seem to have to go through.  How they decide how they will inter-relate to each other is a mystery we mere humans cannot understand.

However, the one thing we do know is that any and all human interference is counter-productive and elongates the process.  This includes discipline, separation, and/or paying any attention to any of this.  

So, what to do?  Ignore it all.  Grit your teeth and bear the noise, the "fighting", etc, unless someone really does draw blood (highly unlikely).  Also, you must have much patience as, given their ages, this can take many, many weeks to sort out.  There is always the chance that it will not sort out and they will just not get along.  However, you also must be careful not to ascribe human motives or emotions to cats (except maybe jealousy), as they do not think like we do.

Finally, it might not be a bad idea when you are going to pay any attention to Tux, give the other two extra attention and special treats, so they may begin to look at Tux as a way to get treats and attention!

Please let me know how it goes.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Norm....Basically this is what I have been doing, just letting themselves sort it out. It is good to know that they may eventually get over it without any blood being drawn, so to say.  So do I need to show Tux where the feeding station for the other two are? and set out another bowl, there are two bowls now, or should I just get a larger bowl, perhaps a continunious feeded so they can take turns.  When we introduced the Coon cat to our household we had two cats and there was an immediate heirarchy, the coon would eat last.  From day 1 the Coon just knew his place and would wait for leftovers, even with one of the original ones gone now he is still that way with the one.  By the way the coon is the one that is not getting along and he outweighs the Tux 3-1 easily.

One other thing how does one teach a cat a new name?  Since this was a stray I need to get her started on a name that she will acknowledge, even if she had a name to begin with.         thanks,  Kevin

Answer
Kevin,

I would put out another food bowl out, just to simplify things for everyone.  Also, I would leave the litter pan Tux has been using where it is so there is another place she can go in case one of the others decides to exercise his territorial imperative over the litter pans the two boys are used to using.

Tux will learn her new name eventually, but she may not let you know right away ;-))

Best regards... Norm.