Possible New Cat!!!

[Cubby'sMom]

Thanks everyone! Were going to take him to the vet in a little while. We've kept the cats seperated so far by keeping one cat on either side of the house. I'm gonna use all of these suggestions lol I really want to keep this cat. Yeah, I've been giving Cubby alot of attention, and I slept downstairs with him because the new cat was upstairs with my sis. Catmandu those are some nice names I'll tell them to my family! Any more names? Thanks again everyone!

[Cubby'sMom]

Well, I'm not so sure if we'll be able to keep the new cat, who we named Henry by the way. Cubby and him met, and it didn't go so well. Cubby, was fine, just a little shocked at having another cat in the house. Henry on the other hand was freaking out. He was growling and hissing and swiped at Cubby(the cats were being held by my mom and I, so no injuries on the cats' part). After that my mom scolded Henry. Then the cats met on accident again and my mom took him to the sink and put water on his neck. We have no spray bottle yet, so that will have to do. We all really want to keep Henry, but if he acts this way toward Cubby, we will be forced to give him back. Any suggestions on what to do now?

[Catty1]

I think you introduced them too soon.

When I brought Cole home, he had his own box and everything in the bathroom, and I kept the door closed. You can use a cut-down cardboard box as a temporary litter box. Use the bathroom, or a separate room.

Let the kitties get used to sniffing each other under the door, and maybe playing "pawsies".

Remember, this is new for both kitties.

Just a thought...instead of putting water on the cat's neck, how about just putting water in your hand and flicking it at the cat? I think by the time you get the cat to the sink, they've lost the connection as to why they are there.

Keep them separate for several days yet, and bar all 'accidental' meetings. And when they do meet in person, let them loose but supervise them. When they were held, they probably felt trapped as if they couldn't get away from the other cat. They have to sniff and swat things out on their own.

Sorry to be so long about this...

Catty1

[krazyaboutkatz]

You need to introduce them slowly. Some cats take more time to accept other cats. I would also only let them briefly meet while they're being supervised and when no one is home they should be kept apart. I've also heard that you can dab the same scent on them like vanilla so that they'll smell the same and this may also help them accept each other more easily. Good luck.

[moosmom]

Cubby's Mom,

You need to do a little homework on reintroducing cats, or you need to read the posts in this thread.

You went about introducing Henry and Cubby all wrong. If you want them to get along, listen to the advice you're given. I'd hate to see another cat wind up at a kill shelter simply because their owners didn't do their research. I'm sorry I'm being a little harsh, but I get SO tired of people not listening.

Put Henry in a room by himself with his food and water and litterbox. Take a towel and rub Henry down. Take another towl and rub Cubby down. Allow the cats to smell each other's towels. After a COUPLE OF WEEKS (not hours), stack baby gates in the doorway of the room where Henry is. This will give them a chance to get acquainted and be protected at the same time. After ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS, allow Henry out of the room to explore, standing by with a squirt bottle filled with water.

Hissing and growling is normal behavior. Unless there is SERIOUS fur flying or bloodshed, let them be, just supervising them. Do not allow Henry to roam free unless you are home. (at least for a while). You'll also need to add a litterbox (one per cat, that's the rule). This way there won't be any potty issues.

Please follow these instructions. Remember, introductions don't happen overnight. It takes alot of patience and love.

[Cubby'sMom]

Cubby's Mom,

You need to do a little homework on reintroducing cats, or you need to read the posts in this thread.

You went about introducing Henry and Cubby all wrong. If you want them to get along, listen to the advice you're given. I'd hate to see another cat wind up at a kill shelter simply because their owners didn't do their research. I'm sorry I'm being a little harsh, but I get SO tired of people not listening.

Put Henry in a room by himself with his food and water and litterbox. Take a towel and rub Henry down. Take another towl and rub Cubby down. Allow the cats to smell each other's towels. After a COUPLE OF WEEKS (not hours), stack baby gates in the doorway of the room where Henry is. This will give them a chance to get acquainted and be protected at the same time. After ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS, allow Henry out of the room to explore, standing by with a squirt bottle filled with water.

Hissing and growling is normal behavior. Unless there is SERIOUS fur flying or bloodshed, let them be, just supervising them. Do not allow Henry to roam free unless you are home. (at least for a while). You'll also need to add a litterbox (one per cat, that's the rule). This way there won't be any potty issues.

Please follow these instructions. Remember, introductions don't happen overnight. It takes alot of patience and love.

Thank you for your advice I DO appreciate it...my family and I made the mistake of introducing them too soon, and we feel bad about that. We have NEVER sent an animal to a kill shelter and we NEVER will. I feel hurt and surprised that you would assume that, any member of Pet of the Day who supports kill shelters does not belong here. I am very grateul for the information you have given me and I will definetly use it, and I have already used some, but please don't assume that I am one of those careless animal ownes who do not take an the lives of animals seriously and sends them to kill shelters, and that I don't listen because I DO listen. I simply can't get on here very often for I have more important priorities than computer.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Introductions take a lot of time. Spook and Remus have been together for almost two years now and they still hiss and spit at each other from time to time. Cats are just that way. Be patient, as cats develop a very protective attitude about themselves especially when they've been forced outside.

Things will get better, and Cubbys willingness to be tolerant even while being held is a good sign. Introductions go easier when at least one party is mellow!

[Cubby'sMom]

Introductions take a lot of time. Spook and Remus have been together for almost two years now and they still hiss and spit at each other from time to time. Cats are just that way. Be patient, as cats develop a very protective attitude about themselves especially when they've been forced outside.

Things will get better, and Cubbys willingness to be tolerant even while being held is a good sign. Introductions go easier when at least one party is mellow!

Thank you, DJFyrewolf36 Thank you everyone for your advice. Yeah, Henry has been a stray for while, so he's used to having his own territory. So far we've kept them seperate again and they're both happy, and Henry has shown more interest in walking around the house instead of just staying in one spot forever lol. Cubby is fine and is loving the usual attention he gets lol. Henry is an attention lover as well, even more so than Cubby, and boy did I never think the day would come when Cubby could be beat in his love for attention

[moosmom]

Cubby's Mom,

I apologize for making you feel that way. What I meant was, I see SO many cats dumped off at shelters because people don't understand that introductions needs to be done gradually. I didn't mean to insinuate that you'd do that. I never thought for a minute you would. There are some cats who won't tolerate being in a room by themselves. They want to be out where the action is. Sounds like Henry is one of those. Just have a squirt bottle handy just in case.

Good luck! Please keep us posted.