New Cat Into the Family - Suggestions??

[precious_bear]

Good Morning!

As a favour to a friend who is moving overseas, I have taken on a 10 year old female cat, Muffin.  She is really quite lovely, loves cuddles etc and has made herself at home very well.  She doesn't seem to be too upset by the move.  However, she is very hostile towards my 5 year old cat Lolly, hissing and spitting at her whenever she sees her.  So far, Lolly hasn't retailiated in any way and no fur has flown, however I'm wondering if there is any way I can help them settle in together?  I don't want Lolly to run away from home because she is feeling unloved!  Any suggestions from clever cat people?

Precious

[newstart2380]

Both cats are set in their ways and have probably never shared a house, tough enough for the new cat to settle without any competition but the same could be said of your 5 year old so best of luck I think you will need it.

Maybe a little house in a dark cupboard for the newcomer so he/she can feel secure, might not come out for days but eventually he/she will have to eat something.

[precious_bear]

Thanks Newstart;

I should have mentioned, both cats are used to others, Muffin is off a farm and was one of 8 and I often "cat sit" another cat and he and Lolly give each other space, but live in relative harmony 🙂

[annies_fancy_dress]

Watch "My cat from hell" on foxtel or google it. Pure gold for cat owners with problems.

[cat_mioux · Accepted solution]

I introduced two kittens to my resident princess this way:

Because they already know each other and because they have been introduced already, it's probabaly too late to do Step 1 which is keep them separate for a few days.

Step 2 - Feed them together and supervise meal time. They will associate 'good times' with each other. Play a game with them both like batting a ping pong ball around the room.

I did this with my kitties. I had already started feeding them together. By this time the hissing and spitting was less *sigh*. Then I got a ping pong ball and played with it. All three stood there in a circle ignoring each other and pretending they weren't interested in the ball but I could see they were itching to play. But it was a Mexican Standoff ... until my little Beau bravely walked into the ring and started batting the ball. Then the other two decided to play. That broke the ice and no more hissing and spitting ... well unless one of them has been to the vet and smells "funny" but that's another story.

I hope Muffin settles in well. Always make sure she has an escape route to a dark and cosy hiding place. She'll need it at her age.

[precious_bear]

Thank-you Ms Mioux, I will give that a try!  I think it is actually Lolly that is at a disadvantage, Muffin doesn't seem to be too stressed at all, however Lolly has been the princess for so long, she is not used to "adapting"!!  Lolly has a window she bails out of, but I'm definately going to try the ping pong ball trick, thanks so much 🙂

[icyfroth]

Hi cat people why not pop over to the Cat Rules group we need some help over there with new input.

It's an open group so no need for a secret handshake or password or anything like that.

You just need to like chatting about cats.

[bright.ton42]

Which reminds me Icy -    time for another story?

Yes we get stories over in the cat group too courtesy of Ms Froth.  . 

Meanwhile I think the suggestions are good and Lolly may never be

comfortable with another cat as some cats prefer their own company. 

But as long as they both have somewhere to jump up to they should be ok in time.  

[icyfroth]

I do have a story in the pipeline, Bright. Please come back

[carls*world]

Time, patience, and equality. Show no preference to either. Equal cuddle time etc. Maybe go as far as to cuddle them together.