Any tips for introducing cats?

[moosmom]

Here's some introduction advice I found from when I posted way back in 2004.

Rub them down with an old rag and let YOUR cats smell their scent. Do the same thing with your cats. This way they will all know that there are new kids on the block. I assume they are all neutered. If not, I strongly suggest it. Unneutered males can be very aggressive.

Go in and spend time with both of them. Lay on the floor and give them treats, gently talking to them. They will probably hide, that's normal. But they'll get used to you and their surroundings the more time you spend with them.

Give them a couple of weeks. Then, if you have baby gates, or know someone who does, borrow them and stack 2 of them one on top of the other in the doorway. This way they can see and smell each other and get acquainted safely. Once you feel comfortable in that they can be let out WITH supervision, take the gates down and see what happens. Also, have a squirt bottle handy, should anything erupt. There will be hissing and spitting, that's normal. Don't squirt them unless a serious fight erupts, then separate them again. Your cats will show them THEIR order in the crew.

Patience is the key to gradual introduction of 2 new adult cats into a home with other resident cats. It'll probably take a while, but then again, they may surprize you and be the best of buds. Cats are strange creatures of habit. They don't like change.

You'll also need one cat box for EACH cat, as well as food and water dishes

Hope it helps.

[jenluckenbach]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! And fear not, the hissing and growing will stop (in its own good time).

Sounds like Snowy will NOT be a rival for top cat, and that will make for Zoe to accept him better, but it still takes some time.

[Zac and Zoe's Mum]

Thanks for the replies!

Freedom, you're right - I do know how to make them feel loved and secure. I think I'm just worrying too much - will Zoe think I don't love her because there's a new kitty? (of course she won't think that!) Will Snowy be traumatized for life because Zoe hissed at him? (of course he won't be!).

Gary, I've seen your piles of cats and I think they're gorgeous! Zac and Zoe used to pile together all the time, and I'm really hoping Zoe and Snowy will too, although I know I can't force them!

Moosmom, Snowy has been neutered - the shelter desexes and microchips all cats and dogs before putting them up for adoption, but I think he'd already been done before he arrived there. Zoe was speyed years ago.

Jen, I agree. Snowy has not even hissed once, which is amazing really. He's a very laid back cat and I think he'll be happy to let Zoe be top cat. By the way, she's new to that role. Her brother Zac was definitely the alpha cat before.

I'm hopeful that things may be calming down a bit. We let them meet this morning and they settled down about 6 feet apart and just looked at each other. Fingers crossed!

Here's a couple of pictures. Snowy's is from his adoption webpage (I've taken some, but I need to download them from the camera).

My beautiful princess Zoe:


Snowy - how could you not love that face!