Help Me Crazy Cat Lady!

[Snowflake]

Actually, anyone with adoption experience. I'm cogitating on getting a second kitty. It won't happen until my roomie is on her way to Mexico (or if I can manage it, Xmas time). Tango grew up with her brother and they lived in semi-peaceful coexistance (meaning usual play and fighting as is normal) until his untimely passing at a year and a half.

I'm not sure what extacly I need to do to introduce a new cat into the household. Tango absolutely needs a buddy, heck I am sure she is bored silly, mom only plays the same old games and does not play so much that allows some good shredding of Mom's arms with claws. (Of course, I dispute that, I have the scars to prove it Tango)

Tango is now just over 4 years old. I'm thinking I absolutely want another boy kitty. Do I go with a kitten or would it be safe to get an older cat, one close to Tango's age?

How do I introduce them? Keep them separate for a few days to let them sniff under the door jamb? I don't want anyone getting hurt, and I don't want Tango to feel like she's not Queen Bee any longer.

The € & NA household seems to have a peaceful pride of kittehs. Any advice? Readinlg stuff online is only confusing me, clearly I'm just too addled to make this decision alone!

[Disneyphile]

I've never sequestered new kitties, and ours are great. There's a lot of growling and hissing for a few days, a bit of a battle, and then everyone's fine once they learn their "rank". And, no one's ever gotten hurt.

[Andrew]

We have had three since 2000 and are now fostering a fourth, who will stay with us until he gets a permanent home. We kept #4 (Milo) shut in the guest room (with food, water & cat box, of course) for 48 hours and then let #1 (Watson) and #3 (Linus) in to investigate. #2 (Rita) is generally shy and wouldn't go in. Milo hissed and growled and the other two found this very confusing -- they just sat and watched him, kind of looking at each other as if saying "what is this guy's problem?". There has been no violence, though, and Milo is slowly becoming less of a butthead -- he doesn't growl at the others every time he sees them, just sometimes. In his defense, he'd been an only-pet for most of his 2-3 years, and his only experience with other cats was with a domineering alpha female.

Anyway, I'd start the new addition in a room with the door closed for two or even three days. They'll sniff each other under the door. When you're ready to open the door, put the new guy in a carrier and let the other(s) in to investigate. Let that play out for a while, until everyone has calmed down a bit. Then you should be able to open the carrier and let them mingle.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

[alphabassettgrrl]

Haven't intro'd kittehs to kittehs, but have intro'd kitty to hounds. The initial meeting was supervised, but after that I pretty much let everybody be together. Kitty hissed and snarled a bit, but figured out the dogs weren't going to eat her. Now she almost acts like a dog. Kitty and hound sleep on the same pillow and once in a while play together.

[Kevy Baby]

Throw em together into the shower, turn on the water and close the door. That way, they will have a shared experience to commiserate over and will be lifelong friends.

[madmonkeygirl]

We had Steven 2 years before getting Jonny so they are 2 yrs apart and both boys. When we brought Jonny home Steven hissed and what not at first but he accepted him and they would play really hard and loud etc. Everything turned out fine. Just give them time to adjust to eachother. But definitely get another cat. I agree another boy rather than a girl. Good luck.

[Kevy Baby]

And still no response from THE Crazy Cat Lady (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/member.php?u=2)

[Not Afraid]

You rang?


First off, boys are usually much more adaptable than girls are, so going with a boy is a good idea. Orange boys tend to have really laid=back personalities and adapt well to others. However, Tango, being alone for so long, may have a problem. She has gotten used to being the Queen and she may not like any interruption to her Royal life.

If you get a kitten that is a tad bit older (4-5 months) you can still get a decent assesment of their personality and still get the joys of kitten-hood.

As for an introduction, I've done it several ways. A lot is going to depend on Tango's initial reaction. My cats don't even seem to blink anymore with a new addition but I have had to keep most of the recent new arrivals separated until they were vaccinated and didn't show signs of illness. Whether this helped the transition or not, I don't know, but I have had NO problem adding new cats.

[bewitched]

I generally just let them get to know one another face to face unless there is more than minor arguing (I've owned lots of cats and only had this problem once). I also agree with younger boy.

I'd also be prepared for some standoffishness from Tango, towards you. And don't be surprised if she has a couple of "accidents" because she's miffed about the new addition.

Really, at worst they will end up ignoring each other...it is much more likely they will be good friends after a couple of weeks.

[Prudence]

Throw em together into the shower, turn on the water and close the door. That way, they will have a shared experience to commiserate over and will be lifelong friends.

Actually, I've noticed that ever since their shared trauma of the recent extended moving trip, my cats have been MUCH better friends.

[lashbear]

Just put them both in a pillowcase together and they'll sort it out......







Author accepts no responsibility for results of following the above advice.....

[Betty]

My only experience was with my mid aged kitteh Jessie, and bringing in a new kitten. Jessie immediately went in for the attack. In a panic I picked up the new kitten and Jessie decided to claw up my bare leg to get to him. He got about mid thigh (yes - ouch!) before letting go. I put kitten in the other room and tended to my injury. Same day Jessie got out and ditched us for several days. Never did work out. About a week later I gave the kitten to my neighbor.

Jessie didn't like anyone though. He loved me dearly - but if you can have an attack watch cat, he was it.

[RStar]

As far as introducing a 4 year old or a kitten, I'd suggest the kitten. Grown cats seem to not be threatened by them, and the kitten hasn't yet developed an attitude, so it's not bothered by any of it. This way there's no real fighting.

After a while the grown cat will tend to parent the young one. Also, the youth of the younger cat helps keep the older cat youthful in attitude and play. As NA suggested a 4 month old is good because if the older cat plays a little too rough the younger one can handle it better.

At least this has been my experience (except mine were age 5 years old and 2 months old).

Good luck!

[Snowflake]

Thanks everyone for the sagely advice.

My plot is 4-6 months or a year old kitteh, another boy domestic shorthair.

Now to just get the roomie back to Mexico! ;-)

[RStar]

There's a lady here in the office that is raising a litter, and is giving them away. They are 7 weeks old today. If you are anywhere in the Huntington Beach area and are interested, let me know.

Snowflake,

It would be a good reason to get down this way and go to Disneyland! ;)

[Kevy Baby]

The plant where our office is located has adopted a stray kitten. She is a total sweetheart and just wanders around the office all day and the warehouse at night.

[Betty]

Aww, we used to have a lovable shop kitteh. He would catch mice - we had no mice problems here when he was around. But he ran down the street one day, acting crazy and keeled over and died. :( We think he ate a poisoned mouse perhaps. What made him special is that he just appeared one day and adopted us. Max. We will always remember your little furry face of love.

[bewitched]

Aww, we used to have a lovable shop kitteh. He would catch mice - we had no mice problems here when he was around. But he ran down the street one day, acting crazy and keeled over and died. :( We think he ate a poisoned mouse perhaps. What made him special is that he just appeared one day and adopted us. Max. We will always remember your little furry face of love.

Awww, poor kitteh. :(

[Deebs]

Found last night, wandering in front of my house. No collar.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/disneyballerina/October%202008/October2008067-1.jpg

[Not Afraid]

Awwww, she's cute!

[Deebs]

Isn't she? And she is really sweet and affectionate; a great little personality. My dog even likes her. But I have too many animals and people depending on me as it is! I don't need one more. :(

She is kind of irresistibly yummy though. Kittehs are evil that way.

[alphabassettgrrl]

A cute kind of evil. :)