OK so, long story, I had gotten my first cat as a kitten, along with his brother. They were raised together, but had to be separated a few months ago when we moved out of our apartment and the roommate kept my cats brother.
I just got a new Cat around the same age last night to try and ease the loneliness in my first cat, because we do have to go away sometimes for a few days and i hate leaving him all alone. Right now they both hiss at each other but no swiping or fighting. What is a good way to get the two of them to get along better? Just time? Thanks
Rei2009-05-21T13:22:07Z
Favorite Answer
Sounds fine to me. Obviously if you just got a new cat there will be some squabbling about deciding who's boss. If they're not even swiping at each other they're really being quite civil about it in my experience! As long as they don't start fighting I wouldn't worry at all. Just let them work things out and see how it goes. You said it yourself; these things take time.
First of all, we do not allow a new cat to have any contact with our other cats until a vet has given the new cat a clean bill of health. This includes tests for such things as FIP and Feline Leukemia.
Cats can be successfully introduced to each other regardless of their ages.
We have successfully added adult cats to your family containing both young and old cats as well as introducing very young kittens to the other cats.
It has to be done slowly. If you simply put them together, you will fail the vast majority of the time.
The new cat has to be given time to get used to you and the new environment.
The existing cat has to get used to the smell of the new cat.
We introduce cats by keeping the new cat in the back room for up to a month. My office is there as is my wife's sewing table. There is a sofa and bookshelves.
We spend a lot of time with the new cat to get them used to us, the new environment and the new smells.
After they accept us with no problems, we put a screen door on the back room door frame and let everyone see each other for a week or so.
It may take a lot less time than a month to get to this point but we just take it slow and easy.
Once we judge it safe to do so, we let the new cats out into the house and chaperon the first encounters.
We've only ever had one problem introducing cats like this and that problem was resolved in a couple of weeks.
We've had 25 cats over the past 22 years and many of them were adults - 12 and older - when they joined our family.
We've also introduced several kittens, ranging from ages of 7 weeks to 4 or 5 months, to the rest of the crew with no problems.
You have to take it slow.
If you can't put up a screen door, perhaps two baby gates, stacked one on top of the other, will close off the door but still allow the cats to see each other.
If you can't use a screen door or baby gates, try letting the existing cat into the room with the new cat for a few minutes while you chaperon.
If things get bad, take the cat out of the room.
You just have to introduce cats slowly
There are cats who could be thrown together and become pals but they are few and far between.
You just got the cat last night so naturally your other cat is going to be upset because its a strange cat and she does not know it. It will take some time for her to get used to it so I wouldn't be too worried about it. Of course there is bound to be some hissing going on and the fact they are not swiping or fighting is a good sign. Give them some time because they have to get used to each other, get to know each other and establish boundaries and a pecking order. Everything will work itself out in the long run so just relax and make sure you give the original kitty attention so she does not feel neglected.