Yet another ? on introducing cats

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Yet another ? on introducing cats
3
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 12:39pm

A couple of years ago, I attempted to adopt a kitten as a companion to my elderly cat. It was disasterous. After the elderly cat passed away, I adopted a kitten to be a companion to the kitten I had previously adopted. They get along very well, however the younger cat (female) rules the house and the older cat lets her walk all over him. The male cat will be 3 years old this fall, and the female will be 2. Both have been spayed/neutered, are indoor cats, but NOT declawed. Both are pretty easy going and not really too affectionate. They have each other, and I'm only wanted when it's dinner time.

A friend of mine is moving and needs to find a home for his 8 year old male, neutered, front declawed cat. The poor thing has been living down in the basement for most of his life due to a very aggressive dog that the family owns. He is very lonely and affectionate. I feel so sorry for the cat, and expressed an interest in adopting him, but I want to make sure that all goes well this time. The adoption is conditional upon the cats getting along. I'm taking this extremely slowly.

My daughter brought home an article of clothing with the cats scent on it and "nonchalantly" dropped it where my cats could sniff it. No growling, hissing, etc. They sniffed it and walked away. I want to send my cats scent over to the other house and see what the other cat does.

Am I going about this the right way so far? What else could we do, short of bringing the other cat over? I don't want to stress everybody out unnecessarily.

Thanks for any advice you may have.

Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 2:00pm

Hi Luviane.


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-13-2005
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 2:00pm

This poor cat needs a

LOVE IS SHOWN BY DEEDS, NOT WORDS.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 3:41pm

I have a little time before my friend moves, so I'm not being rushed into this. I'll have to think about which room I can use for a safe room, since my cats have the run of the house. Between myself, my husband and my daughter, somebody is usually home, so the new cat won't get stuck being by himself for very long.

My friend's cat has alot in common with my older cat. Both were forced to stay by themselves because the other pet wouldn't get along with them. As a result, my cat is very aloof and doesn't seem to care for me much. Sometimes I think he's holding a grudge? I kind of have a guilt trip for the isolation I had to put him through, but the older cat just wouldn't tolerate him. It was my mistake for thinking an 18 year old cat would get along with a playful kitten.

After the older cat passed away, we waited a week or so and then adopted another kitten. It was kind of weird, because the cat's personality changed. He went from being playful, to being very protective of the new kitten. Honestly, it seemed as if he resented this, because he was forced to grow up quickly and be responsible for the new cat?? He just seemed to mature overnight. Maybe the new cat will relieve him of the burden and be the guardian to the younger female, since he's much older????

I'm hoping that my friends cat, who is starved for affection, may become the lap cat that my cats don't like to be. I have to convince my husband that this will work, because after the older cat vs kitten scenario, he's extremely skeptical. In fact, he doesn't even know what I've been planning!!!!

Thanks for the link. I had a link from before on introducing cats and will read that again.