Hello all, new here to the board. You guys seem to be pretty helpful, so I thought I'd register to ask for some advice.
I will be moving in with my boyfriend in a couple of months and we are wondering how to manage having our cats get along. I have two cats who are sisters, who are about 4 years old. Trouble is pretty wild and Squeaky seems sweet but she can sometimes go on attack mode with strangers. Let's just say that my kitties have a reputation for being a bit crazy.
My bf's cat, Bean, is a bit older, and much more calm and mild-mannered than my cats - not to mention a lot smaller than my cats (she was rescued after being abandoned a few years ago). Bean now lives with my bf and his roommates and she has always been the only cat of the apartment. Oh, and I should mention that all are indoor cats.
I would like to know, what is the best way to slowly introduce my cats into Bean's environment? I live really close to my bf right now, so we're discussing maybe bringing my cats over before I officially move in. Any advice or links would be much appreciated!
Introducing new cats to eachother
Re: Introducing new cats to eachother
please check the following threads.
bottom line, take it s l o w.
Re: Introducing new cats to eachother
Hi,
I just want to say something here about moving cats. Moving is really stressful for cats. But you can help if you are prepared for the move. Of course you know they should be kept safely locked up while the hustle & bustle of moving is going on!
But aside from that, be prepared to spend more time with them. If you could work it out that you move at a time when you will be home for a couple of days. They will be in a panic. My cats didn't eat for 2 days when I moved and one of them wouldn't come out from behind a dresser until we physically had to move her. The little one cried a lot too. They will need a lot of reassurances from you that everything is ok. When you do go out at first, try to make it for short periods for about one day before you actually leave them all alone for the whole day.
This may sound extreme, but if you help them over this, you will be doing yourself a favor in the long run.
Lots of luck!
I just want to say something here about moving cats. Moving is really stressful for cats. But you can help if you are prepared for the move. Of course you know they should be kept safely locked up while the hustle & bustle of moving is going on!
But aside from that, be prepared to spend more time with them. If you could work it out that you move at a time when you will be home for a couple of days. They will be in a panic. My cats didn't eat for 2 days when I moved and one of them wouldn't come out from behind a dresser until we physically had to move her. The little one cried a lot too. They will need a lot of reassurances from you that everything is ok. When you do go out at first, try to make it for short periods for about one day before you actually leave them all alone for the whole day.
This may sound extreme, but if you help them over this, you will be doing yourself a favor in the long run.
Lots of luck!
Re: Introducing new cats to eachother
Thank you all for your help! I will bookmark these tips so that when the time comes we'll be prepared.
Re: Introducing new cats to eachother
dont hesitate to ask for help/advice when that happens...keep us posted.bedhead wrote:I will bookmark these tips so that when the time comes we'll be prepared.