letting new cats into our home

**Freedom** · 04-30-2010, 06:44 PM

It CAN be done. It takes time.

Dogs will make friends in a matter of moments; butt sniff and they are best buds.

Cats take thins slowly. You start by bringing him in and keeping him segregated. Spare bedroom works well. He has his on food and water bowl, litter box of course, a few toys to keep him busy, and a bed and blankie.

After a day or so, you put the 3 cats segregated, and let him have the roam of the house (use the bathroom to help make the swap.) This allows him time to get used to the smells, find his way around, without any harassment from the others. You may only have him our for a few hours, and then put him in the bathroom, release the trio and put him back in the spare room.

Have blankets for the trio. Swap the blankets so now they are all getting used to the scent of the other cat(s).

Do this for a while till he seems comfortable in the house. Oh and clip everyone's nails. Then while you are home and available to observe, let him out. Have a water squirt bottle ready, and feel free to break up any fights. Hissing, back arching is to be expected, I don't usually squirt or that, just observe, maybe talk them through it.

It may take 3 to 5 weeks, but that will seem like nothing once you've all been together for years and years!

**katladyd** · 05-01-2010, 02:39 AM

Listen to the poster above. I usually do this and I have had cats that I was afraid were going to kill each other (that bad!) live together in peace very nicely. It just takes a little patience.

**carole** · 05-01-2010, 07:28 AM

Yes do listen to those who know best, to be honest when i took my two rescue's in i did nothing, and i was just darn lucky, my other two accepted them,they are not friends, and sure have their spats, but in general we have harmony most of the time, but this is not always the case, and if i had known better at the time i would have done all of the above ,my two had many fights with the other two, as they used to live just around the corner, so i was suprised it worked out as well as it did, good luck and i sure hope Boy is soon in your home getting more love and attention.

**GILL** · 05-04-2010, 02:05 PM

All good points. We have been very lucky and have some accepting babies. Some times we have to fostter some in a transport for a week or two. Most we turn loose in the house, but once in a while we get one that wants nothing to do with the CREW. We do have dicustions now and then and I keep the bottle handy.
We do have a disagreement in house between Chessie and Bailey, they have nevr gotten along. We just keep an eye on them, going on 4 years now.

**ginalovesfelines** · 05-04-2010, 02:39 PM

Great advice above......just go SLOWLY and let them get used to each others smell first. Get the new addition it's own cat bed and litter box to start with so the others don't feel invaded. Mainly, just good luck and let us know how things are. When it all works out, you will be so glad you put in all the hard work to make it happen.

**Freedom** · 05-04-2010, 02:52 PM

Hi Lois -

You ahve your settings for "no emails" so I wanted to let you know I did receive your message.

Just keep your expectations realistic: you can't make them best buddies, they have to do that on their own. You CAN insist they live together in peace.

PEACE! lol to you.

**Cataholic** · 05-04-2010, 03:33 PM

As others say, slow and steady wins the race. Most people want to rush things. A slow (and I mean 30 days) introduction goes along way towards peace and harmony. A bad interaction is much harder to recover from.