About Teresa Expertise I can answer questions about cat breeding, animal husbandry, raising orphan kittens and kitten delivery. General health questions and shipping animals.
Experience I have worked 10 years as a vet assistant, I have also been breeding and showing Abyssinian Cats since 1982 and previous to that I was breeding purebred English Setters and Persian cats.
Organizations TICA, CFA, ACCA
Education/Credentials I have been trained as a Veterinary Assistant and I have a marketing degree and some pre Vet education.
Question I got a cat 10 years ago and it has been the only cat in the house ever since. Now I have to move where there are 2 other cats, also about 10 years old. Every time my cat sees another, it hisses and growls and fights. How will my cat react and what can I do. Will it be so harmfull for it that I should leave it at my parent's, or can I still bring my cat that I love so? Please help me
Answer Hi Celine, This is a tough question. The easiest situation would be if your parents live close to you and that your cat could be returned to their home if she was really unhappy with the new cats.
What I would suggest you do is to bring her to the new home and keep her in your bedroom for a few days with just your smell and no contact with the other cats. Let her get settled just being in a new home and see how she reacts to that. If she is still growling and scared after 2 days then I would bring her back to your parents and let her finish off her life there where she is happy and feels safe. IF HOWEVER she is fine in your bedroom after 2 days then I would suggest a switch with the other 2 cats. Put your cat in the main part of the house and the other 2 cats into your bedroom for a day. Let them all get used to the new smells. Then reverse again for a day. If your cat is still doing well then I would let them meet each other briefly in a room that has lots of outs and none of them feel trapped. Leave them together for no more than an hour and then backed to their rooms. Just keep this up with the time getting longer and longer. Usually they will TOLERATE each other after a couple of weeks and in a month they will be sleeping together !! good luck
