Today is day 4 of adding a new cat to our previously one cat household. I've been doing what you folks have suggested and the new one is in one room of the house with the door closed. She's been eating and drinking but won't go to the bathroom since at least yesterday morning.
The resident cat is very upset, sometimes eats and drinks, but also won't go to the bathroom since yesterday also.
I need some words of encouragement.
Alley's Mom
Need more help please!
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: Need more help please!
It takes time and make sure you have litter pans for each one in their separate rooms. Keep up the good work. Re read the introducing thread again for help and ensurment that you are doing fine. Have they seen eachother yet?
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: Need more help please!
I realize that I am just freaking out here. I give you folks credit - this is the hardest thing I've had to do as a cat mother.
The bathroom situation has worked itself out - pun intended! And I have sprayed several kleenexes with my boyfriend's cologne and left them around the house (a trick I've learned to comfort Alley when his father is away on business.)
No they have not yet seen each other - Midnight is still in a room by herself - the feline introduction page said wait 2 weeks. I'm trying to listen to you all's advice because I've never done this before. They are smelling each other under the door and Alley's mohawk down his back, and bottle brush tail are not as big as they were 4 days ago.
Thanks for encouragement. This is rough.
Alley's Mom
The bathroom situation has worked itself out - pun intended! And I have sprayed several kleenexes with my boyfriend's cologne and left them around the house (a trick I've learned to comfort Alley when his father is away on business.)
No they have not yet seen each other - Midnight is still in a room by herself - the feline introduction page said wait 2 weeks. I'm trying to listen to you all's advice because I've never done this before. They are smelling each other under the door and Alley's mohawk down his back, and bottle brush tail are not as big as they were 4 days ago.
Thanks for encouragement. This is rough.
Alley's Mom
-
mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: Need more help please!
I know it is dear but the rewards will far out weight the royal pain in the tookus this is right now. I promise! It will get better you just have to have patience. I know it is sooooooooo hard(not one for patience myself 
) but come on here and say when you need more encouragement we'll remind ya!!!
Dont spray too much cologne because that will cause sinus issues with kitties. A tiny bit is ok but not too much or their mucus membranes will pay the price.
((((alleysmom))))
) but come on here and say when you need more encouragement we'll remind ya!!! Dont spray too much cologne because that will cause sinus issues with kitties. A tiny bit is ok but not too much or their mucus membranes will pay the price.
((((alleysmom))))
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: Need more help please!
Good luck. I didn't know how to properly introduce cats and the last stray I took in doesn't get along well with two of my cats. I wish I had known and maybe we would have more harmony. It might seem hard, but it will be worth it in the long run. Congrats on your new baby.
Re: Need more help please!
The Feline Introductions link page is only a guideline, not meant to be the authoritive on feline introductions. All cats are different, so the situation will be different. I think that page should be revisted and probably edited, will get to that as soon as possible.
Don't wait the full two weeks, as a matter of fact, I have always had better luck by introducing the cats right away. Simply provide one room with the door open to allow whichever cat to retreat to when feeling threatened or overwhelmed. The key is your supervision, and as little intervention as possible. The only time you should really intervene is when the cats are outright attacking each other, causing bites, scratches, or drawing blood, or causing one of the cats to retreat and withdraw and stop eating, hiding, etc. Otherwise, remain in the room(s) with them and supervise with a calm tone, sperating them ONLY when there is agressiveness. Hissing and growling are normal behaviors, this is the way cats communicate, they are saying "back off" until I'm ready to approach you, etc. Their instincts are to naturally check each other out, slowly, cautiously and spats are to be expected.
Try introducing special times for playtime, activity where both cats are in the same area, each with toys. You can try dragging a string across a room and letting them take turns chasing it. Toss balls and other toys for them so that they are focused on the activity, playtime, as opposed to directly focused on each other. When you make the play sessions consistent, they look forward to it, and become more adaptable to sharing the same space, same toys, and your attention. Do this also with grooming sessions, or one-on-one bonding sessions.
As for litterboxes, food/water dishes, etc....In the immediate sense, have two "stations" for them, far enough apart where they are comfortable with their own items. In the room with the new cat's litterbox, slowly, day by day, move the litterbox closer to the area you prefer to have it indefinately. Same with food/water dishes. Once your new kitty is comfortable navigating the home and her surroundings, then place her food/water dishes closer to your other cat's food/water dishes, but allow at least several feet between their "stations" so that neither is intimidated during feeding times. Again, slowly, day by day, inch the food/water dishes closer together so that within several days' time, all food/water dishes are in the same location together and the cats are comfortable eating near each other, or sharing the same dishes comfortably. At this point, DO allow them to use each other's litterboxes if they wish, this is also their way of checking each other out, and establishing their heirarchy to some degree. Eventually, they will be using the same litterboxes without intimidation etc.
This applies to sleeping areas as well. Keep their kitty beds or favorite sleeping areas seperate only for a short time, but allow each cat to investigate the other cat's area. In time, they will choose on their own if they want to sleep in seperate areas or if they become bonded at some point they may start sleeping in the same area together, i.e., on your bed with you.
The more freedom you allow for both cats, the sooner they will adjust to each other. So, leave the door open in Midnight's room at all times now, and start letting them investigate each other. Don't intervene unless necessary as described above. Alley is probably extremely curious and if you prohibit him from seeing Midnight, etc, then the longer it will take for them to adjust together.
I also agree with NOT leaving items with cologne around the house. What you CAN do however, is have Dad wear a shirt or fleece sweater, and once he's worn it, it will have his scent on it, then leave it in Alley's favorite napping area. This is all that is necessary for leaving Dad's scent for him to feel connected when Dad is away.
Don't wait the full two weeks, as a matter of fact, I have always had better luck by introducing the cats right away. Simply provide one room with the door open to allow whichever cat to retreat to when feeling threatened or overwhelmed. The key is your supervision, and as little intervention as possible. The only time you should really intervene is when the cats are outright attacking each other, causing bites, scratches, or drawing blood, or causing one of the cats to retreat and withdraw and stop eating, hiding, etc. Otherwise, remain in the room(s) with them and supervise with a calm tone, sperating them ONLY when there is agressiveness. Hissing and growling are normal behaviors, this is the way cats communicate, they are saying "back off" until I'm ready to approach you, etc. Their instincts are to naturally check each other out, slowly, cautiously and spats are to be expected.
Try introducing special times for playtime, activity where both cats are in the same area, each with toys. You can try dragging a string across a room and letting them take turns chasing it. Toss balls and other toys for them so that they are focused on the activity, playtime, as opposed to directly focused on each other. When you make the play sessions consistent, they look forward to it, and become more adaptable to sharing the same space, same toys, and your attention. Do this also with grooming sessions, or one-on-one bonding sessions.
As for litterboxes, food/water dishes, etc....In the immediate sense, have two "stations" for them, far enough apart where they are comfortable with their own items. In the room with the new cat's litterbox, slowly, day by day, move the litterbox closer to the area you prefer to have it indefinately. Same with food/water dishes. Once your new kitty is comfortable navigating the home and her surroundings, then place her food/water dishes closer to your other cat's food/water dishes, but allow at least several feet between their "stations" so that neither is intimidated during feeding times. Again, slowly, day by day, inch the food/water dishes closer together so that within several days' time, all food/water dishes are in the same location together and the cats are comfortable eating near each other, or sharing the same dishes comfortably. At this point, DO allow them to use each other's litterboxes if they wish, this is also their way of checking each other out, and establishing their heirarchy to some degree. Eventually, they will be using the same litterboxes without intimidation etc.
This applies to sleeping areas as well. Keep their kitty beds or favorite sleeping areas seperate only for a short time, but allow each cat to investigate the other cat's area. In time, they will choose on their own if they want to sleep in seperate areas or if they become bonded at some point they may start sleeping in the same area together, i.e., on your bed with you.
The more freedom you allow for both cats, the sooner they will adjust to each other. So, leave the door open in Midnight's room at all times now, and start letting them investigate each other. Don't intervene unless necessary as described above. Alley is probably extremely curious and if you prohibit him from seeing Midnight, etc, then the longer it will take for them to adjust together.
I also agree with NOT leaving items with cologne around the house. What you CAN do however, is have Dad wear a shirt or fleece sweater, and once he's worn it, it will have his scent on it, then leave it in Alley's favorite napping area. This is all that is necessary for leaving Dad's scent for him to feel connected when Dad is away.
..........Traci
Re: Need more help please!
Well, Alley and Midnight have met face to face through a screen. As expected it did not go well. Hissing and growling. But I've had a xanax. I will see how tonight goes.
Re: Need more help please!
Hissing and growling are normal, don't fret about that! That's their way of testing the waters, so to speak, and letting each other know to respect their "space"...it's completely normal, just keep a close eye on each, don't favor one over the other, just give them equal attention, and act like nothing has changed....the less stress YOU have, the less they will pick up on your stress.
..........Traci