Help introducing new cats

Hi
We have a 12 year old male cat that has lived with us as the only cat in the household for 12 years. My daughter brought home her two cats from school. One is a female (Rachel) about 2 years old and the other is her kitten (Trace) who is 10 months. All are neutured. The oldest cat is an outside/inside cat; Rachael was living outside when she was found with her kitten. We kept the cats separated for about two weeks and shared items from each on them into their living areas. When we first introduced the cats, we put them in their cat carriers and then let them out after a few times being in confined, yet close proximity. Rachael would consistently approach him and sniff his nose and later his rear end, which would cause the older cat to hiss. The older cat eventually started backing away and hiding under the table. Now he will not come out of our room or back into the house, if the other cats are out. He is spending most of his time outside except sleeping with us in the evenings. When he wants to come in, we put the other two cats in the bedroom until he goes up to our room. We then keep the door closed so the other cats can't get in. We let them have access to the rest of the house, both when he is in our bedroom and when he is outside. I would like to have the cats able to at least tolerate each other and am concerned when winter comes. Any suggestions on how to get them together? Would it be better to separate Rachel and Trace and only let one of them out the same time the older cat is out? If so which one would be better, the mom (who actually still plays aggressively and dominates her kitten which is twice her size) or the male kitten?

Tags: cats, introduction, new, of

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by betsy hobbs-monroe on July 25, 2009 at 9:00pm: Can you get a cattery cage? I have many cats that found me. I put the new ones in the cattery cage with all of their food, water, pan, and put the cage in a public area of the house. The new ones will see Rachel in her space and she will have an opportunity to sniff and see them. This arrangement should take about two weeks or so, until they become accustomed to existing in a shared space. When they seem to be comfortable, or even not reacting to each other, open the door, and let the new ones find their way ou. All of the home noises and smells are now familiar to them. Good luck. Betsy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ioana Hance on July 31, 2009 at 4:35pm: I think the previous reply provides some excellent suggestions. In some cases, you might want to start first by isolating the new cat to a room for the first week or so. Please check out the "Introducing a New Cat" section in the Indoor Cat Initiative at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine:

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/2362.htm

Good luck.
~Ioana; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrea Ryan on October 17, 2009 at 10:13pm: I am having the same exact problem, it has been over 3 months since we brought the kittens home and the resident cat still hisses and does not want to be around them. Let me know how are your cats doing now and what have you done. I think I have tried it all and so far nothing has work. I need help!!!!; ▶ Reply to This