k9un@ihu1e.UUCP (j w ague) (12/18/85)
We have recently adopted (he actually adopted us) a stray cat about 1 yr old. We already have 2 declawed/neutered cats about 4 and 5 years old respectively. The new cat has been declawed/neutered and we are now attemping to introduce them to each other. The new one is very savy and apparently still has some residual hormones (1 week since having "them" removed). In our two attempts to get them together, our dominant cat (Salty) had a short fight with the new one (Hojji) and now hisses at him and hoes the other way. Last night, our other cat (Cocoa alias the Fridge - he weighs about 17 lbs.) tries to be friends, but Hojji attacks him. The question is, does anyone have any experience/sound information on introducing cats? Salty is somewhat aloof (typical cat?), Cocoa is more dog than cat (super affectionate - more a bigggg kitten) and Hojji is super friendly with us - more like Cocoa. Will they ever become pals or will we always have to watch for an all-out battle? Wes Ague ihu1e!k9un
scott@hou2g.UUCP (The Brennan Monster) (12/18/85)
This is my prescription for introductions, although it's probably too late for yours... Confine the new cat to one portion (room?) of the house, letting the other(s) occupy the rest. Provide each with a litter box, of course. Then after a day or two, SWITCH them. This lets them each get used to the smell of the other, without being directly threatened. Then let them "meet" each other. During dinner is best. Mortal enemies will often be quite civil while eating side by side. Also, especially with a new kitten, don't pay too much attention to the newcomer, at least in the presence of the "residents". Let your old cat(s) introduce the newcomer to YOU. And remember, what often looks like a fight is usually just play. Especially if the one who seems to be "losing" keeps coming back for more. This means either he's incredibly stupid or isn't in pain. My system is that if one of them makes a loud noise or cry (other than hissing) this indicates pain, and they should be separated. Otherwise, let 'em at it! Scott J. Berry ihnp4!hou2g!scott
fetrow@entropy.UUCP (David Fetrow) (12/19/85)
One trick I've found helpful is to feed the cats, together, when they're
all hungry, with food better than they're used to, on a plate big enough
for them all to eat around without crowding. After eating they usually
forget the cat next to them is new.
On the other hand, this didn't work between Bastguy (Cat#1 and SPOILED)
and Darkstar (Cat#2, kitten, feral). Darkstar usually applies a
flying full nelsen on Bastguy whenever they've been seperated more
than an hour, it's her way of saying "Hi".
Nevertheless, within 2 weeks, they weren't hissing on sight. Within
a year Bastguy forgave me this transgression of trust and has come to
value Darkstars' presense (after he drops her off his neck anyway).
The point is, it takes awhile for cats to get used to each other and
they go about it in a noisy way. If they aren't bleeding all over the
carpet they'll work it out. The only danger is that the old cats, if
sufficiently slighted, might leave home. Lavish a lot of attention
on them.
--
-"Daphnia Dave" Fetrow
{ ihnp4, fluke, tektronix, uw-june }!uw-beaver!entropy!fetrow :UUCP
entropy!fetrow@uw-june.arpa :ARPAzzz@mit-eddie.UUCP (Mike Konopik) (01/16/86)
I've had the opportunity to merge a new cat into a household with an established cat several times before, and I've found a very successful method. You first need to find an "out of the way" room in which to locate the new cat and all its necessities (litterbox, food, &tc). Block all the entrances to this room with an effective barrier to crossing that still allows for both sides to view the other. Doing this you permit both cats to grow accustomed to each other's presence, smell, and all that jazz without having to worry about being at each other's throats all the time. Our family always used a decorative room divider we called a "sushi screen" (hell if I know what it's REALLY called), made of wood with small geometric aperatures throughout. It may take awhile (even a couple of weeks) before they're not hissing constantly across the barrier. But when they calm down this way, when you then remove the barrier their period of physical combat doesn't seem to last very long, and they frequently wind up immediately chasing and playing instead. Good luck, and don't give up heart. Sometimes a little nose-tap and "NO" in response to aggression on one cat's part can expedite the procedure. -- -Mike genrad!mit-eddie!zzz (UUCP) ZZZ%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC (ARPA)