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Cat won't get along with other cats?
My boyfriend's roommate has a cat that gets along with the old cat but any new cat she will stalk around the house and go after her. They have tried putting calming aid in her water to no avail.
Now they brought in a new cat and they lock the old cat in the basement and are wanting to rehome her and my boyfriend is crushed because they told him he could keep her because he loves her. I also have a cat and I would love to bring Grim (the boyfriend's cat) with us when we move out and get our own place.
Are there good calming aids we can try? Ways to introduce them better? I seen those pheromone wall plug in's that I've been thinking about trying as well.
I am still in disbelief that the roommates got a new cat knowing their old cat was awful with other animals. They waited until she was 3 to get her fixed, and she was so bad that when she would see another cat outside the house she would attack the older cat in the house. I really want to help her, but I'm not sure how. Please help. I've grown very fond of Grim and I know she is extremely skittish and nervous and it's not a good way to live.
1 Answer
- 7 years ago
First of all, it takes from two weeks to two months for a resident cat to adjust to a newcomer. The Feliway plug in pheromone dispensers do work. I have a multiple cat household and my most recent newcomers to my cat family were accepted by the resident cats in less than a week, unusually quickly.
As for ways to introduce them, this is an article I wrote on the subject. I've had multiple cats for many years and have had lots of experience introducing cats of all ages into a household of other cats of all ages.
How to introduce new cat to multiple cat household
It usually takes two weeks at least for a cat to adjust to a new home and for the resident cats in that home to accept the new cat. At first keep the cat in only one room or even better, an extra large plastic airline dog crate with its litter, food, water, a toy or two, and something to sleep on. With the crate method, the cat is safe but can see and interact with the resident cat through the door of the crate. If you use the crate method, let the cat out for awhile in one room by itself to exercise and explore. After the cat has been returned to the crate, let your resident cat(s) back into the room where the cat was so they can sniff around and get used to the cat's scent and presence. If you're using the separate room method, move the cat to a different room for awhile and let the resident cat come into the room where the cat previously was and let the cat sniff around. After awhile remove the resident cats and return the cat to the first room. I personally prefer the crate method because it allows for safe socialization between the resident cats and the cat 24/7. If the cat doesn't want to interact or if she's scared, she can hide in the back of the crate and feel safe.
After your new cat shows some confidence (comes to the front of the crate and shows interest in the world beyond the crate door) clip all cats claws and then let the cats meet each other while you supervise. Most likely there will be some hissing on both sides as each will be a bit afraid of the other. Generally then the cats will stay out of each others way at first, then gradually they form a truce or an understanding among them.
