Multiple cat introductions

[Ron]

I know it's generally recommended that new cat introductions be gradual but most of the posts that I've found regarding introductions seem to assume that one or two new cats are meeting for the first time one or two resident cats. I would love to hear any comments regarding introducing one new cat (a 1-2 year old male, recently neutered) to a household of six resident cats (three girls, three boys, all fixed, ages range from 2 to 8 years old).

I've been keeping the newbie isolated in his own room, and lately I've been keeping the door to his room opened so that the others can go in (I have the new kitty in a roomy cage when I have the door to his room open). This morning I isolated the residents and let the new kitty (Toby) out to explore the rest of the house. Just a few minutes ago I put Toby back in and let out the others. I'm thinking of doing several more "rotations" as the day goes on.

I would welcome comments regarding face-to-face meetings. Would it be better to have Toby first meet face-to-face with one or two cats, or should he meet all six at once when the time comes? If anyone has time to share his or her experience and advice for this situation I would be most appreciative!!

[AmyH]

Ooo...perfect timing! Unfortunately I don't have any advice, but we are about to do the same thing....we have to introduce a 3 year old female to our 5 resident cats - one 9 year old male, three 1 1/2 year old males, and one 1 1/2 year old female. At the moment we still have the 3 year old female in isolation, but we are reaching the point where she needs to explore the house and meet the rest of the herd. We were going to do exactly what you've done so far - confine the five current residents and let her learn the house, but we weren't sure what to do after that as far as face-to-face introdutions go. We've introduced kittens to adult cats before, but never a single adult cat to a group of adult cats - I'm looking forward to hearing any tips anyone can share!

~Amy

[chyrece]

I started an introduction about 3 months ago ... new male (neutered) to two spayed females. I did the separate rooms thing, the gradual introductions, feeding together so good feelings are associated with each other's presence, even tried rescue remedy for awhile. For about the last month I was letting the tom interact with the females for a few hours each night. The girls weren't happy, one retreated to the breakfast nook whenever he was out, and the other just held her ground. Now Tom is completely off of "lock down" and is a full-time member of our household. However, it's no Xanadu just yet. My girls have both now retreated to the nook ... one will come out occasionally, but makes sure she's hiding from the tom, and will absolutely not eat with him. The other doesn't come out at all except to eat with him. It's kind of weird. I'm feeling bad because I feel like I've sentenced my two girls to a life in one room. They don't like him, not sure if it's fear, though it does seem like it might be. I sometimes try to carry them into the living room to watch tv with me and when then see him, they completely freak, jump out of my arms and run back into the nook. There haven't been any over the top confrontations, but apparently enough to put some fear into my girls. I guess that these introductions take time (at least that's what I keep hearing) so I'm hoping that they will work it out eventually, and as long as no one seems to be in any real danger, I suppose letting it play out is my only option. Right now, tom is ruling the roost and I miss my little girls greeting me in the morning, but they won't come upstairs. So, I guess the secret is patience and time, and a few prayers? Good luck with your intro and please let me know if you come across anything that I haven't mentioned that works for you. Thanks!