Expert: Karen Craft - 5/25/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a 13 month old bengal 13 months..and an 18 year old
siamese.. Next week I am getting a 18 month old Abyssinian
My concern is spraying both are neutered..My little bengal
is a mush he is tho very active with play ..he never sprayed
nor did my old boy He seems to accept any animal

The aby is comming from a breeder..Seperating them is really
tough as my old siamese and the bengal are always in the
room that has a door my house is very open bi leval
I have 4 litter boxes in a huge walk in closet..and hate
to put a litter box in another room with furniture and clothing...ect.  The only other room with a door is the
bathroom is small... I don't quite know how to do this
yes I have read stuff..but my little bengal will carry on
like a nut cause i never had the door shut

what are the odds one or other will spray as I have wood
floors and leather ect..they have posts tree house
but all in my bedroom and that has the huge walk in closet
where I keep no clothes and can see what is up..

I am really stressed and nervous..However, My little bengal
wants so to play and my old guy loves him but can't anymore
he only sleeps and eats ect..

Am I doing the wrong thing...as I would really think
in time the bratty bengal will want to play but I don't
know about the aby..however, he must live with other cats
the breeder says he does not spray..

Any Sugg.  on how to do this an finally move the litter
back to the room with the other boxes..?
Thanks Sherry

ANSWER: Hi Sherry,

I'm not sure what the problem is. You are going to keep the abby separate from your regular guys. I am attaching a great article on how to intro cats from the SFSPCA. This is one of the better ones on how to do it. As for moving the litter box from the bathroom, just do it. Then keep the bathroom door shut for a few days and show the new guy where the litter boxes are. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

From the San Francisco SPCA Cat Behavior Department

PROTOCOL FOR
CAT TO CAT
INTRODUCTIONS
·  Help settle the new cat in a small room with litterbox, food, water, toys, and a safe
place to hide (such as a cat carrier with a towel inside).
·  Let the new kitty become comfortable there for 3 or 4 days. Do not allow the cats
to interact during this time. It is fine for the resident cat to be sniffing under the
door and investigating.
·  Switch bedding and other items that have the scent of each of the cats on them.
This way each cat can become used to the scent of the other without meeting
face to face.
·  Spend quality time with each cat on either side of the door - petting, playing,
relaxing. Again, they will be aware of each other, in a non-stressful situation. This is
often reassuring to both of them.
·  If at any point the hissing is intense, or either cat is growling, continue to keep
them separate for as long as it takes the upset cat(s) to settle down. Other signs of
This may mean that
the separation needs to last a week or more.
·  If there is no intense hissing from either cat (i.e. loud hissing with wide open mouth
and teeth showing, or multiple hisses), prop the door open just about an inch to
allow the cats to view each other without being able to make contact. Leave
the door like this for a few days. Watch their interactions; if no serious hissing or
aggression is noted, then it’s time for the next step. EXTRA STEPS FOR A SHY KITTY: If
the new cat is shy, the introduction must be taken more slowly. He will need extra
time to “settle” into his new environment, and to feel comfortable in his “safe”
room. It may be necessary to repeat the introduction and separation program
several times. This separation time is also an excellent time for you to spend time
bonding with each cat, one at a time, so that they do not over-bond to each
other.
From the San Francisco SPCA Cat Behavior Department
page 2 of 2
·  Open the door and allow the cats to interact on their own time. Do not force
either cat to go from one space to another.
·  Supervise their interactions. Only let them interact for short sessions: 10 to 15
minutes at a time. Then separate them again. Do this several times a day until you
are sure they are tolerating the presence of the other cat, and not fighting,
chasing, or watching the other cat intensely. Do not leave them alone together
until you are reasonably certain that they will not hurt one another.
·  Sometimes it helps to distract the cats with several toys but keep the toys four or
more feet apart when playing. Sometimes cats play so hard, that they forget to be
upset about the other cat and start to become accustomed to the other cat’s
presence. There may be rivalry for toys, so this may not always work. Treats may
help alleviate this situation-give them treats in the presence of the other cats, to
distract and reward them—when they are not hissing.
·  Some cat to cat introductions go very smoothly, while others may take weeks or
months before the cats learn to tolerate each other. The best thing to do is to go
as slowly as necessary - don’t rush the introduction. We all want our cats to get
along well, and quickly. But, please remember that you are hoping and working
for a very long term relationship; being patient at first will pay off! Rushing the
introduction will often cause serious problems which may take longer to solve – or
in some cases, may never be solved.
·  Finally: most cats will adjust to living within a multi cat household. Like people,
some will enjoy it more than others. Patience on the part of all concerned w ill be
more likely to produce an enduring peace than anything else. Enjoy your kitties!



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

QUESTION: Hi Karen,
I tried the separation but the new cat bolted out the door
every time..so now what is weird my bengal never raised his pawbut the new cat did and now he does it..the new abby has
a hiding place in my bedroom under the couch..He stays in their
alot ..although he comes out for food like crazy..and litter
I have a seperate pan but My bengal just will go to the
litter room and sit an watch him ...I am not sure it has been 4 days If the cat was really terribly frightened Would
he come out for good and  jumps on the bed for a short while
even with my bengal on the bed..I don't know if this is
normal for the new cat or not ...Or will this not work out?

So confused..the new cat does not want to be locked up
And the bengal maybe tooo much cat for him..

Is there any sign  tell me they are not fighting
I am depressed maybe not enought time is it ok for the
new cat to stay under the couch most of the time except to
eat and go to bathroom or maybe just walk around for a little bit.. I am so unsure of the whole situation..

If I sound mixed up I really am ..as I never had a cat that
would hide  
Best Sherry

Answer
Hi Sherry,

It doesn't sound like it is going too bad. It sounds like they are beginning to settle in. If you want, get a product called Feliway. It works as a kitty tranquilizer. It will calm them down. Give them time. 4 days is not that long. Give them at least two weeks and see what happens after that. Good luck and let me know how they are then.

Ciao, Karen