Expert: Jessica - 7/11/2009

Question
hello- i have a 7yr old female cat name Zoe.  i have had her since she was 6wks old.  up until 3 months ago she has lived in a house with another cat, i moved out of my parents house and did not take her brother with me.  i thought she was lonely so i got a female kitten.  she HATED the kitten.  she would hiss, growl, cry, hit, stop eating, wouldnt go near me...after a week of this heart breaking behavior i gave the kitten away and instantly my cat was social and happy again.  she is and has always been very social with everyone that comes in my house...why do you think she acted this way?  A little more about Zoe: she is very attached to me.  she sleeps with me every night, and is strictly an indoor cat.  has lived with dogs in the past but is afraid of them. Thank you for your time, any answer or suggestion is appreciated.nn

Answer
Hi Sarah.  This is somewhat of a normal reaction when cats come into contact with new cats, especially with middle-aged to older cats like Zoe.  Most cats gets used to each other, but they need time.  It’s recommended to introduce them to one another very slowly, taking about two weeks before introducing most cats face to face.  Until then, you can use scent transference to introduce them, by rubbing one cat with a towel and then allowing the other cat to smell it, and then repeating it with the other cat.  You can also swap spaces.  Since the two cats will have separate quarters for the first couple of weeks, you can have some times where you’ll swap the rooms and allow them to explore one another’s living spaces.  This allows them to familiarize themselves with each other without the threat of a face-to-face confrontation.  You shouldn’t try to introduce the two until all hissing and growling when they smell each other’s belongings has ceased.  Then, I recommend to start introductions through a cage or glass partition, first, and then graduate to short, free roaming visits.

If you do decide to try to bring home another kitty, you might also try feeding the two cats on opposites sides of the same door.  They can hear and smell each other but won’t be able to reach each other, and eating is a positive experience that they’ll be able to associate with one another.  You can also place a ribbon under the door so that they can play with either end together if they are so inclined.  

I also like a product called Feliway, which can help reduce the anxiety cats may experience when a new pet is brought into the household.  I use the plug in diffusers.  You can learn more about how it works at www.feliway.com  Feliway is available at pet stores, online and through some veterinarians.

Remember even after introducing them to give them plenty of space.  You should provide them with litter boxes, beds and food and water bowls that are in separate areas, so they can keep their distance if they want to.