How to introduce two grown kitties together

I have a kitty on my mind. A very pretty girl kitty who is one year old, in need of a forever home, and sounds very sweet *(ahem...Donna you should NOT have told me so much wonderful stuff about Fawn!!!)*I am very, very interested in adopting her as a friend for MiniMin, but I don't want to hurt Minion's feelings and I don't want him to feel bad. He is absolutely my dream come true kitty...my best little friend, and my angel. I just have a feeling that he's social with other kitties (just little hints here and there) and my husband and I take off so often with both dogs, leaving him in the house alone, and I usually hear him crying at the door as I leave :( He is lonely when I go away, especially when I take the dogs. In the summer time I spend so much of my day in my garden and I always have the dogs with me and I always hear Min crying....sobbing......at the door in which I walked out of. I think he needs another friend who is another striclty indoor kitty who can keep him company when I am working in my garden and when I'm off to the park with the dogs, and a friend who he can actually play with. He loves the dogs, but he does not play with them. He could use a friend who speaks his same lauguage I think.

I want to know how to lessen the stress for everyone when bringing in a one year old cat into a household of a 5 year old cat. Any things that might help make it an easier transistion, any things to watch out for, any tips or tricks, etc.

Donna, I'll call you soon....I'm still working on the hubby but it's looking good sofar :) I want to meet Fawn before this weekend. I am thinking Wednesday after work, if that's good for you. I can't stop thinking about her :) She truly sounds like a perfect match for Minion's temperment, not too young and kittenish, laid back, soft spoken, friendly and social with other cats. She sounds perfect. I want her. Like I said, I still have to work on Dan, but we'll see. I am also not against getting Min vaccinated, if just this once if it must be done.

Tonight I have the big "I must have that cat" discussion with Dan. Wish me luck :)

WOW Leslie! First of all, congrats on the possible new addition! :)

I think going at a VERY slow pace is crucial for introducing most adult cats. Some can go quicker than others, but it'd be safe to start out slow and then quicken the pace if both cats are comfortable.

It always takes Shiloh a really long time to get used to fosters. It always takes her more than a month to warm up to even their scent.

I would keep the cats totally seperated for 2 weeks. Let them smell each other under doors and get used to each other's scents. Rub each one with a towel and put the towels under the other's food bowl. The towel trick works really well.

After a couple weeks, you can slowly introduce them to each other for short periods of time. If Minion is stressed, you could put Fawn back in a bedroom or wherever you'd been keeping her.

When you do eventually let them be together, expect some hissing and growling and fussing. Its perfectly normal. In time, that should go away.

GOOD LUCK :)

1st-Good luck with the "I must have that cat" speach.
2nd-Congratulations. (because you will win after that speach)
3rd- SLOWLY is the key word for introductions. Let new kitty have a room of her own until she is comfortable with it. Swap items that would have each cat's scent on it (towel, blanket).
Don't be in a rush to show the cats to each other, let new cat bond with you and her surroundings before throwing another animal at her. Then do so only under supervision.
I am living proof that you can successfully introduce animals of all different personalities to each other and have it work.
GOOD LUCK!

Oh Leslie!! I know we talked about this on the car ride home.

GOOD LUCK!!!! :D

I knew this was transpiring yesterday.
Good luck!
Let me know how it goes!
I can't offer any help, as I don't know much about introducing cats, I probably introduced Kylie all wrong to Shaianne and Keegan. :(

Like others have said here, go VERY SLOWLY. Keep them completely separated for the first week at least. They will get the idea that there is another cat in the house which is stressful enough. The swapping towels works extremely well; gets them used to each other's scent. Introduce them very slowly to each other - supervised visits of about 10-20 minutes a day after about two weeks of separation. You will want to rush and think the cats want to meet each other - they don't. It's very stressful for both cats so go slow. They will love you even more for it.

When you do introduce them, make sure to give them each equal time, pets and affection in front of the other cat. That way, hopefully, one won't get jealous of the other getting more attention.

It took about a month before I could leave Mitzi and Mishi alone together. After two months of gently and slowly introducing them to each other, they're FINALLY playing together, eating each other's food, he's licking her, she's starting to lick him, they can even sleep on the same bed at the same time without hissing, although they're not cuddling (yet). Taking it slowly does pay off in the end. Your cats will adjust to each other and let you live a peaceful and cat-loved life. Good luck!

Congratulations! I also know you'll win the "discussion" and Fawn will be yours. :D Minion seems like a real laid back kitty, and if Fawn is too, it sounds like there might not be many problems, but it's best to take everybody's advice and go slow. If, after a a day or two behind closed doors, they seem really interested, you can try introducing them, but be prepared for hissing and growls on both sides, but after that it might be hell - but then again it might be a piece of cake. I know quite a few of the PT kitties were out and about and getting comfortable in only a day or two. But you have to be careful and err on the safe side because there are also the sad tales of those that still aren't hitting it off after many months.

I think it's great that you're thinking of Minion and wanting him to be happy, and I know he'll take to Fawn and they'll be best of buds. :D

Dan agrees that Minion deserves a friend. He asked that if we do get Fawn that he can name her, since I named Graham, Kersey came with her name, and I named Minion. He has not been able to name any of our animals...so that's the only exception :)

I do love the name Fawn, but Dan wants to name our next furfriend.

We're getting a new furkid :) Hopefully all works out well with Minion and the dogs. The dogs will be fine but not sure how Fawn will like the dogs.

Thanks for the helpful info on introducing two grown cats together. If anyone has any other pointers, please post them here.

Thanks again :)

How exciting!!!!! I am anxious to see what name he chooses and also for intorduction stories and photos!!!! YEAH !!!!!

Oh, I just looked at dear Minion's pictures yesterday and I though: look at him, he's doing so great with the dawgies. But, I agree, he needs a kitty friend to have company when the dogs are out having fun.

Anxiously waiting for pictures of Fawn. Btw, what is the name your husband likes? Or he wants to decide according to kitty's personality?

Congratulations, Leslie! I hope it will work out for you!!!

Mimi, having been an only cat for so long, did not take kindly to a new addition, but she has adjusted, thank goodness! I definitely would not the right one to give advice, because I just opened the door and in walked Butter!! LOL!!! I did keep him in a separate room overnight, but that was it. They now know how to stay away from each other, so they are definitely not providing company to each other!! :o

Can't wait to hear all about Fawn and her new name and new home!! We're crossing our fingers, paws and claws that all will work out for you!!

Logan

boy oh boy, sure hope you have better luck than SAS seems to be having :rolleyes:

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Originally posted by lbaker
boy oh boy, sure hope you have better luck than SAS seems to be having :rolleyes:

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Oh me too :( I feel so terrible for her, and I am so worried about that. Min is very laid back and gentle and he seems social, and Fawn is laid back and IS social w/ Donna's other cats, so hopefully it'll be good. I don't even want to think about the possibility of them hating each other, especially that much :(

Donna, Dan is not coming tonight to meet Fawn, as he is teaching and tutoring until at least 10:30 tonight, so I might bring my mom if she can make it home from work in time. I'll make sure Dan is home when you bring Fawn over, though so you can meet him.

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Originally posted by Vio&Juni
what is the name your husband likes? Or he wants to decide according to kitty's personality?

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No names picked out yet, although he wants a name that matches Minion. He likes the name Fawn, as I do, but he really wants a name starting with an "M" to match our Min's name. I have a name in mind, but I'm not telling him about it so he can come up with a name by himself.

Oh Leslie, that's wonderful news! I knew Dan would go for it. :D

Now I can't wait for the introduction stories and pics. Hopefully since Fawn/name to be determined is so social with the Donna's other kitties, she won't mind the dogs much either. Good luck and congratulations!!! :D :D

Well everyone, Leslie took Fawnie home for a "trial" run to see how it works out. My heart aches because she IS such a wonderful cat and I just have this gut feeling that she and Min will be best pals, after some time.

Leslie, like everyone has said, TAKE IT SLOW. Don't expect anything to happen overnight. Let your mother bring Fawnie in the house. When you put her in her room, keep the door closed at first, before you put up the baby gates. This way they'll get each other's scent. After about a week, THEN put the gates up. You don't want to freak Fawnie out with Graham and Kersey.

Keep me posted. This will work out if you just give it time. This is the best way to find out.

Give her kisses and head bumpies from me and the gang.

Good Luck Leslie, Dan, Graham, Kersey, Minion, and newbie-Fawn!

Leslie Congratulations!!! Somehow I knew Dan would agree to this! I think that Minion and Fawn (or?) sound like a good match just judging from posts about each of them. I will never forget the early Minion pictures of his bath! LOL! I said to myself right then and there - THAT'S ONE TERRIFIC CAT!" :cool: I am wishing a good introduction period and that a great fur friendship will spark between the two!

I was just thinking about the Butter/Mimi and Miley/Ti situations and think that, based on posts from fellow Pet Talkers, most kitty blendings do work out. I guess the Edwina/Eduardo situation is still anyone's guess yet! :)

Like everyone else - I can't wait for the pictures and stories!

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Originally posted by Pam
I will never forget the early Minion pictures of his bath! LOL! I said to myself right then and there - THAT'S ONE TERRIFIC CAT!" :cool:

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Pam, I feel the same!!! I remember the cute little guy all wet and skinny, I just fell in love with him right that moment. Too bad, we don't see enough pictures of Minion-Kition :p hint... hint...

How sweet of you, Leslie, to take in one more cat, in spite of your allergies :) (applause)

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Originally posted by Vio&Juni
Pam, I feel the same!!! I remember the cute little guy all wet and skinny, I just fell in love with him right that moment. Too bad, we don't see enough pictures of Minion-Kition :p hint... hint...

How sweet of you, Leslie, to take in one more cat, in spite of your allergies :) (applause)

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Thank you so much everyone. Minion is truly my dream come true. I swear he's an angel.

To be quite honest with you, the reason I rarely ever go on PT any longer and it may be for something that some of you may find foolish, but honestly, when I got a "poor" or one star rating when I posted about Minion being sick I have never gotten over it. It hurt me and made me feel not welcome. I was even uncomfortable with posting this rescue here because of that. So that's why I don't post much.

I'll post some pics later today, I promise :) I do hope it works out with Fawn (that's her name until Dan thinks up a new one), because she's just so darn cute :)

And note to Donna: I just want you to know that Fawn's first night was good. She's in our guest bedroom, she has her own bed to sleep on (or under, which is the case for now), all her toys and two windows to sit in. She's still very nervous, I can't get her out of under the bed, but she'll come around. I know it. For now, Minion seems to be just as frightened of her as she is of my house :)

Leslie,

I'm posting from work so I have to make this quick. She'll probably stay that way for a couple of days. After that, I'd go in with treats and a teaser wand. It's not going to be overnight, but she WILL come around. How was she on the ride home? Has Minion been at the door sniffing at all? Has he shown any interest in what's behind Door #1? Keep us posted. I'm praying for ya!!

I'll be online later on tonight. ;)

Leslie, PLEASE, don't you dare let one person's feelings keep you away from the folks that love you and want to hear all about your family! I know I post some unpopular things, but you know what, my true friends stick by me, including people like you!

Can't wait to get a Fawn (to be named) update, and it would be nice to have a Cassie update while you're at it!! Please come back more often and ignore those who upset you.

Logan

Thank you so much Jen and Logan. I do hate that it upsets me so much, but I am a sensetive person and it just hurt my feelings. I know that I should not take it personally, but unfortunately I do. I'm trying to get over it :)

Here are some pics, and the album for more pics, if you like. Dan's so sweet. He really wants to make her love him, so he is going to lay down in the spare bedroom on the bed and see if just his energy and scent will make Fawn feel more comfortable. He's hoping that she'll come out from hiding and sleep in bed w/ him, but I told him that I don't think she's ready. He's going to try anyway. He wants to spend time with her before he decides on a name. He's more accepting of the new kitty then I ever thought he would be. He's a very dear man and I love him so much :)

I have a cat teaser, and I have used it a bit, but she's not interested. I'll just keep going in every so often, speaking softly sitting on the floor becide the bed, and hope that one of these days she'll come out. I know she's coming out to get food/water and use her litter box. She's being a good girl.

Minion seems interested and Kersey is SO cat friendly, she really is wanting to make friends w/ Fawn. Graham seems indifferent.

Anyway, here are some pics:

Fawn at Donna's apartment:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...1/fba59f98.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...8/fba59e8f.jpg

And at my house:

Kersey having a sniff, and notice those flashlighs in the background...Minion :):
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...0/fba59d87.jpg

Min having a closer look:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...6/fba59d5c.jpg

Fawn checking out her new room:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...d/fba59cdf.jpg

And Minion peeking into Fawn's room, silly boy :) :
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...4/fba59c97.jpg

The rest of Fawn's album

I had to laugh at Min's eyes. I know they reflect light, but SHEESH!!!!!!!
Now, tell hubby, if he wants to make friends, to lay on the FLOOR. I've been know to do this on many an occasion. And always belly up, less intimidating. Don't laugh, it works.:D

She's beautiful, Leslie! I love Minion's eyes in that pic. :D And it's so sweet that Dan is trying so hard. I'm sure she'll come out and be friendly when she realizes she's safe. And his laying in the room - whether on the bed or on the floor ;) - will help speed the process, I'm sure. And Minion certainly seems interested. Hopefully that is a good sign.

Thanks for the pics, and like the others said, please don't let "those" people get to you. More than likely the person that gave that low rating isn't even here anymore. They tire way too quickly when they're ignored. And anyway, there are way more of us who are interested and care than "those" types, so please keep us updated on the progress between Minion and Fawn. And come back more often too. :D

Congratulations on adding Fawn to your family!:)
I remember Donna talking about her but I forgot what she looked like so thanks for posting the photos.
She is very pretty and she and Minion will look so good together!:)
I adore Minion since he looks so much like one of my brother's cats.
I remember your wonderful story of how you got him when you moved.
Your pets are always 5 star ratings to me so please keep posting stories and photos of them.:)

I wanted to add also that I hope you don't let stupid people get to you. It was probably a troll that did it. I know it is hard to not take it personally. But we love you and your furbies here and I would LOVE to see you here more often!!
I know this is redundant to what everyone else has said but it never hurts to hear good stuff!

Congrats on adopting Fawn/new name!!! :D I'm sure everything will work out fine but as everyone has already mentioned it just takes time. Since both cats are very sweet and laid back, the introductions should go well. Hopefully Fawn will be okay with your dogs. Good luck and please keep us updated.

BTW I also wanted to add that you shouldn't take ratings personally. That person is probably long gone by now. I for one love to hear about and see your furkids. So please continue to post on Pet Talk. :)

"Flashlight eyes", our newest Pet Talk word!!! I love it!!! :D

She is beautiful, Leslie, and so is Minnion!! I loved seeing his pictures in his catnip garden!!!

Logan :)

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Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
, there are way more of us who are interested and care than "those" types, so please keep us updated on the progress between Minion and Fawn. And come back more often too. :D

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That is right!!!!!! Leslie I am so sorry that you have been staying away because of that rude person/persons. I thought you were just busy. If I had known I would have pm-ed you and begged you to return sooner. You are a *true pillar* in every sense of the word, and there are lots of us "oldies" that remember when it was only Graham and Cassie, so we go a WAAAYYY back and have loved meeting each new fur member. Fawn is just adorable and I look forward to stories and pictures!

By the way, I hope Cassie is doing OK these days. Give her a kiss on her little puggily nose for me, OK? :)

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[i]
By the way, I hope Cassie is doing OK these days. Give her a kiss on her little puggily nose for me, OK? :) [/B]

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Thank you so much. It's good to have friends on my side :)

Cassie is doing fairly well these days, although she has siezures every so often, and she goes unconscious after them and it looks like she's dying. She gets limp, makes a very soft cry sound, and it appeares that her breathing stops. When she seizures, sofar there has been either my mom or I to "bring her back" and she has been OK, shaken up but OK. If there is no one home to bring her out of it, then we may lose her but we are enjoying every moment that we have with the little smashie face girl. She's made it out of every episode sofar, but we are well aware that she may not one day. Sorry for not posting about her sooner. It's just so much easier to post good news :)

Hiisssssssss Sppppaaaattttt grrrrroooowwwwwlllllll! I decided to hold him and take him outside to greet Fawn threw the screened in window. Fawn was on the bed and Min saw her and the most aweful sounds came out of his mouth! Poor Fawn didn't make a peep, she just laid there and took all his verbal abuse. I told Min that it's not nice to make those aweful sounds towards the newcomer. Hopefully he'll stop doing that soon and begin to enjoy Fawn's company.

This was actually the first time I have heard Min make those sounds. He's not growled, spat at or hissed since he's been in my life. It was odd hearing him say such terrible things to Fawn...it was like he was a different cat!

I was well aware that it would not be overnight so I am not worried yet.

I didn't even know that Min was sick. Poor little boy :(
You should never pay attention to such people, unfortunately they exist everywhere, but we still have to keep our faith in good people. Whoever rated your thread then must've been just a poor, unhappy person that wanted others to feel as miserable as s/he was. We shouldn't give them the satisfaction to win, we should live our lives like they don't exist, and if they do exist, we don't care :)

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Originally posted by AdoreMyDogs
Hiisssssssss Sppppaaaattttt grrrrroooowwwwwlllllll!

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Hmmm....sounds like another grey and white kitty we know here on PT. A Ms E...something or other. ;) :D :D

This is completely normal, even though it's something new for Minion, and I'm sure he'll come around. Then the question is, how will Fawn/aka? take to Minion? Yep, it's going to be pretty interesting at your house for the next couple of days/weeks. :D

Please keep us updated. :D

Leslie,

Posting again real quick from work. Don't worry about the hissing and spitting. As long as there is no bloodshed. Fawnie is a VERY passive cat and will usually back down if confronted (like when Maya Linn, the witch that she is, showed her who was the alpha female in my house).

Maybe once Min knows that Fawn is a GIRL he'll change his attitude.

Keep up the good work.

Hugs from me and the gang.

P.S. I got an e-mail from the shelter asking if I still have "the cat". I asked them which one and will check to see what they say. They're having an adoption fest on the 26 & 27 and might want her there. Lemme check my e-mails first to see. :D

Just checked my e-mails. They were asking about Carrie (phew!!), who, BTW, is doing great. Very sweet cat who loves belly rubs and being combed, as well as catnip.

Dan truly is a sweet man. He has been sleeping in the guest bedroom so that Fawn was not alone and tonight when I was gone taking the dogs for a walk, I walked in the house and Dan stopped me at the door and said, "our little buddy reeeeeallly wanted out of her room". I looked at the hallway and saw that the door to Fawns room was open. She is loose in the house, actually underneath the sofa to be exact. She wanted out so bad and Dan felt bad for her, so he let her out. Sofar everyone is pretty much ignoring her. She seems fine with the dogs and she really wants Min's effection. Minion is unfazed at this point, but I don't know if he is aware that Fawn's loose in the house yet. He just knows that her door is open.

Well Dan picked a name. I think it's very sweet, even though it's not the most feminine name. He named her "Buddy", because she is going to be Minion's buddy and she's Dan's Buddy. She's really taking to him. I have not been able to touch her yet, but Dan's been able to pet her. I am sure she really appreciates his help in keeping her comfortable and happy.

Donna, I honestly think it's going to work out. I have to wait to see how Minion reacts once he realizes she has free roam and see how he reacts. I can't see my sweet boy being agressive, but we'll see.

P.S. Donna, by the time I got home from taking the dogs for a walk, making dinner and watching some TV, it was too late to call you. I'll try calling tomorrow to touch base with you. For now, I want you to please say no to taking her to the adoption event. I'll fill out my adoption paperwork and as soon as I get Min vaccinated, I'll fax it to the shelter. Is that OK, or does she HAVE to go to the adoption event?

I hope she doesn't HAVE to go to the adoption event. :( I thought it was the other cat she was talking about.

I am glad that she is 'out' and has a new name! Maybe you could feminize it by spelling it Buddi or Budi? Just a thought!

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Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
Hmmm....sounds like another grey and white kitty we know here on PT. A Ms E...something or other. ;) :D :D
...

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That's exactly what I was thinking :)

I hope everything works out, Leslie. Buddy (Fawn) stole my heart when Donna took her home, and I hope she has many, many years with your family.

Please continue to post about your pets. Most of us have other members who ignore or dislike us, but it's not the end of the world. There are many people who want to hear from you :)

I have not been on the cat side this week, and missed this!!! Congrats on the new addition!!! I hope things continue to go well and that Minion comes to appreciate his Buddy :)

Donna- I'm glad that Carrie is doing well :) A friend of mine fromthe studio tookthat cat home with her (she has 2 others). I'll have an update Tuesday as to how it is working out.