Advice Wanted: Another cat coming to us! Small Update

[CultureJunky]

As you all know on PT we adopted Xavi at the end of January and he's settled in wonderfully and is fine with Sunny (apart from the odd spit when he really annoys her that little bit too much)

Well on Wednesday I'm taking in another cat. This has all happened quite quickly over the last few days via my Uncle.
He has a lady who works for him and she is looking to rehome her cat due to her mother's asthma and needs to rehome as quickly as possible, due to the mother going back and forth to hospital with bad attacks. The doctors have said that the cat is contributing to the asthma attacks.
I provided rescue numbers for this lady but unfortunately there are long waiting lists and she wants to rehome her as quickly as possible, so I said I would take her. I don't really want another cat so soon, but I feel sorry for this cat and felt that I should take her in case she ends up homeless or a stray. Though the woman has had her since she was a kitten, well as you all know on PT these things do happen.

Her name is Misty, she's 9 years old, medium hair tabby. She's in good health apart from a flea allergy which is kept under control with regular frontline treatment.

The main thing I'm worried about is Sunny's reaction at another female coming into the household. The new cat Misty has also always been a cat on her own, a one cat household. I'll put her in the spare room at first with food, litter tray, beds etc for her to get accustomed to being in a new place, I know how to do all that naturally.
My worry is whether Sunny will tolerate another female or see her has a threat? Is there a difference between introducing a male and a female to the existing female of the house? The reason we had Xavi was because he was male and as she'd already lived with Jack, she had been in contact with a male cat all her life. I don't know how Sunny will react to Misty?
I'm worried that Misty may attack Sunny or vice versa, and I really don't want any stress between them, I certainly wouldn't want Sunny to be stressed in any way as it's her house.

I'm excited at taking Misty, but also very very worried about Sunny's reaction to her and Misty's reaction to other cats in the household?

I know all about different social groups etc, and realise they may never co-exist in a close knit way, but I want peace in the house from both of them and want neither to be stressed in any way.

I know there are Pet Talkers who have more than one female in their house.

Kate

PLEASE READ LAST UPDATE:

[CultureJunky]

These are some pictures of her that my uncle sent to me by email. He is bringing her to me Wednesday evening.

[Randi]

I wish I could help with advice, but all I know is that cats temperaments are as different as humans. It may work and it may not. I certainly hope they will get along - and even be friends.

Misty looks like such a sweet girl. If it doesn't work out, I would imagine it's easy to find another loving home for her.

Best of luck with the introduction!

[moosmom]

Kate,

Bringing in another female is not as bad as it sounds. Put the newbie in a separate room, rub her down with a towel and let the oldie sniff her scent. Do the same with the oldie. Rub her down with a towel and let the newbie sniff her scent. If you can, see if you can borrow 2 baby gates (I got mine at the Salvation Army real cheap) and stack them in the doorway one on top of the other. It'll give both cats a chance to get to know each other but be protected. You are going to get hissing and spitting, which is normal. As long as there is no bloodshed. Keep the newbie isolated to insure neither contracts a URI (kitty cold), for at least a couple of weeks. Gradually allow the newbie out to "splore". Keep a squirt bottle handy just in case. It takes time and patience but I can guarantee you it will work out.

Good luck.

[moosmom]

You are going to have yourself one beautiful Maine Coon there, girl.

[lvpets2002]

WoW your New Baby is so Adorable.. I would say she is MainCoon for sure.. Well keep the new baby in a seperate room for a day or so & then just gently start intro her with the others.. Just take your time & be patient with all.. They will all hiss & ect.. But I have more than one female && they all get along great.. Now they all have their days & moments - but in all everyone gets along & is happy.. Good Luck & I just know all will be fine..

[jenluckenbach]

CONGRATULATIONS!! Woo Hoo!!

And just go slow with intros, things will go fine if you don't rush them.

[Sonia59]

I have no advice for you. All cats are different, we never know. The cat lady is gorgeous. Good luck, we are crossing fingers and paws that everything goes fine

[Taz_Zoee]

Like everyone said - all cats are different no matter what sex they are. Taz still hasn't accepted Paizly and I've had her for over 8 months now. He can't even get near her without hissing and "barking" at her. She is just a stinker and keeps going back for more. So apparently she's not threatened by him.
Taz does have his good days where he won't make a sound. And other days he's just horrible about it. In the 8 months we've had Paizly I've actually seen Taz play with her (for about 30 seconds) a total of 4 or 5 times. But neither of them are stressed about the others presence so its okay. I don't like it when he "yells" at her, but oh well. I just keep thinking maybe one of these days she'll learn and leave him alone.

Misty is a very pretty kitty. You are going to have a house full of adorable-ness.

[orangemm]

How wonderful of you to take her in; she is gorgeous! I'd do what Donna said and take it slowly; the slower, the better.

Yes, girls can be "fittified", but with patience they will get along. Let us know how it goes...........

[catmandu]

Cats , of course are so unpredictable.
Some Cats will take to some Ctas and not others.
I must say that I am an most fortunate Cat Manand aside from a few hisses the old I was here first reaction, I have had no real problems with the Found Cats.
We are praying that Big Beautiful Misty is accepted as well.

[Medusa]

What Donna said. Both times.

Misty is beautiful. She looks so much like my Maine Coon, Specs, who I thought was a girl until I took her in to get spayed. LOL

Congrats on your new family member and just give everything time.

[moosmom]

Hey CJ,

I'm positive that will work out.

[cassiesmom]

She's beautiful! I hope it works out wonderfully!

[Freedom]

Aw, she is BEAUTIFUL!!! Looks like my Vita did when she was younger, although Misty looks larger.

Just take it slowly, things have a way of working out.

Do you clip nails? I like to keep nails trimmed when I have introductions, so that any "damage" in minimal, he hee. Never had a problem

Will she come with her brushes? She looks like she is used to brushing. That would be lovely, to sit each evening and give her a wee brush up!

Bless you for taking her on!