How to introduce two grown kitties together

[AdoreMyDogs]

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

[aly]

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

[jenluckenbach]

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!

[ramanth]

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

GOOD LUCK!!!!

[shais_mom]

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.

[RedHedd]

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!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Congratulations! I also know you'll win the "discussion" and Fawn will be yours. 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.

[AdoreMyDogs]

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

[jenluckenbach]

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

[Vio&Juni]

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?

[Logan]

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!!

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

[lbaker]

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

[AdoreMyDogs]

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

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.

[AdoreMyDogs]

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

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.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

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

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!!!