Expert: Norman Auspitz - 8/19/2009

Question
Cat ran away 10/05 night before move out of state.  Has been fed as 'stray' for past 3 1/2 years by very nice cat lady in the area he ran away.  Visit to vet showed microchip and with some follow up phone calls, I was contacted. Going to get him and bring him to Colorado.  Any advise/suggestions on how to reintroduce him to not only me, but the other cats he knew four years ago?

Answer
Rene,

Wow, what an incredible tale!!!!!!!!  

Okay, after 3 1/2 years, it will be like introducing a new cat to the household.  None of the cats are very likely to remember each other after that long an absence. Here is a method we use for introducing a new cat to a household with established cats:

Start out your "new" cat in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with yourself or another human resident. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your "new" cat will not be overwhelmed by its "new" surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan. You will feed the "new" cat in this room and keep the established cats out. It allows the "new" cat to bond with you or another human being and also build up some self assurance in its new surroundings since it will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows the "new" cat and the established cats to sniff each other under the door and get familiar with each others' scents.

After 5-7 days of being in its one room, it is time to let them meet each other. Be prepared for some posturing, some spitting and hissing, and the like. IGNORE IT! After a while, they should begin chasing each other about and still have the occasional hiss or spit as they get accustomed to each other. Cats tend to make a whole lot of noise and even loosen up some fur. Rarely will two cats hurt each other.

Once they are introduced, there are a couple of things you must remember. Do not separate them again, they will get along! Do not interfere in their "discussions" as they need to sort it out amongst themselves!

It does not hurt to give the established cats treats and extra attention after the "new" cat is introduced (yes, cats do get jealous!).

A couple of things you may have to do are to feed them on separate dishes. Provide more than one litter pan in different areas of the household (as cats can be very territorial about litter pans).

All, in all, this method seems to have had great success in the past and makes for a fairly smooth introduction. Please remember that they may make up immediately, or it may take a few weeks or months.  It will take longer due to the ages of all the cats. The older the cat the less likely they are to immediately accept another cat.  Usually, they do come around, in time.

Every once in a while two cats will take an instant dislike to each other, so, if after a few months, there is no progress in getting along, they may never get along.


Best regards... Norm.