Questions for those who have experience introducing cats? (old question) July Walnut health update!!!

[Farro]

I'm asking everywhere!

We adopted two litter-mates in Dec 2015, Walnut and Cashew. They loved, loved, loved each other. Sadly and a story I won't go into, Cashew died October 21, 2019 of intestinal lymphoma. I'm still reeling from it, but that's besides the point.

Walnut, after a bit, seems to have adjusted quite well. He's a happy guy, eating well, still playful, etc. He is having an ultrasound done because he has hairballs, but mostly for our peace of mind, but other than that everything is perfect with him. He doesn't run up to people and love on them like Cashew did, but he's certainly not scared. The vet says he is the most laid back cat they've seen in a long time.

We want to eventually bring another cat to our home. Walnut will be 5 in March and I have some questions:

1. Is 5 too old to bring in a new cat?
2. Female, male or doesn't matter?
3. Because Walnut was so close with Cashew, will he reject all other cats?
4. We want to adopt a young cat - 6-9 months. Yes, no?
5. Would 2 kittens be better to adopt so they have each other if Walnut doesn't want to play?

I want to do right by Walnut. He's what's important.



Tell me your advice please and thank you!

 

[tvguy]

If there is a secret, I would love to learn it. We adopted two kittens (8 weeks old) at the same time from different litters, boy and girl, and there were times that they would fight.
The worst was when my MIL passed away, and we had to integrate her 16 year old female cat (known as the cat from h-ll) into our household with OUR 16 year old female cat. Thank goodness for a U shaped house, one half of the U was my MIL's cats turf, and the other half our cats. They shared their food bowl and litter box, and hissed at each other if they crossed paths the entire 6 months they lived under our roof. My MIL's cat developed cancer and had to be put down at that point, but other than her differences with our cat, she went in a month's time from being the cat from h-ll to a very affectionate cat.

 

[Farro]

If there is a secret, I would love to learn it. We adopted two kittens (8 weeks old) at the same time from different litters, boy and girl, and there were times that they would fight.
The worst was when my MIL passed away, and we had to integrate her 16 year old female cat (known as the cat from h-ll) into our household with OUR 16 year old female cat. Thank goodness for a U shaped house, one half of the U was my MIL's cats turf, and the other half our cats. They shared their food bowl and litter box, and hissed at each other if they crossed paths the entire 6 months they lived under our roof. My MIL's cat developed cancer and had to be put down at that point, but other than her differences with our cat, she went in a month's time from being the cat from h-ll to a very affectionate cat.

Not very encouraging but thanks for being honest! We certainly dont want Walnut to be ultimately unhappy.

 

[emer95]

We just adopted our 3rd cat! With the first two, I did all kinds of research and had a whole plan about how to introduce the cats slowly. Then my husband said, “No, they’re fine.” and he put the one cat’s face right in the new kitten’s face. BIG mistake. They have never liked each other, even after 4 years.
So we just got our 3rd kitten three weeks ago (all female, but I’m not sure that makes a difference or not) and I insisted on doing things the “right” way. For two weeks we kept the cats separated, and switched out bedding so they could get used to each other’s scent. We introduced them very slowly, with toys, treats, etc. Didn’t matter. The middle cat HATES the new kitten and hisses/growls constantly at her. We’re still hoping it gets better!
I blamed my husband for years about our first two cats not getting along, but now I see that maybe nothing we did would have made a difference anyway. Who knows?

 

[SaintsManiac]

I adopted 2 together (male and female) and she still hates him 5 years later. Brought a stray in 3 years ago and he is like a buffer. They both get along with him fine. They are all about the same age. It’s just a crapshoot.

 

[Farro]

Oh man!

I just want Walnut to be happy. Maybe getting another cat isnt worth it.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Oh man!

I just want Walnut to be happy. Maybe getting another cat isnt worth it.

I think if you get another male, maybe same age or a little younger you would be ok. I would not bring in a female, but I think they are meaner in general.
If you need a buffer get a 3rd, but then you’re outnumbered!! Lol

 

[msjprincess]

It depends on the cat. We had 3 cats and ended up with a kitten. I didn't plan on getting a kitten it just happened. Two of my cats loved her and the 3 of them are now
best friends. The other cat wants no part of her. She also hates the other ,2 cats. They've lived together for 6 years and she still hisses when they walk by.

 

[Jennasis]

My two barn cats (who are brothers) and I raised from 8 weeks old together, and who love each other, JUST got into a knock down drag out fight in the barn that DH had to break up. No clue what it was over. So even dudes who love each other often get into dust ups.

I've found getting a younger kitten allows the older established cat to feel less threatened or for the younger one to learn that the older one is the boss.. We actually have 3 barn cats. The two brothers HATED the little foundling kitten we added to the crew. Hiss at him. Growled etc. Now they are all buds. The younger one definitely defers to the older guys.

 

[jackilvsmath]

So we have 4 cats. Got all of them at different times.

1. We have always gotten a cat younger than what we currently have.

2.We do not separate but let everyone do their thing and keep an eye on the new one the first several days. We make sure someone is home during that time.
3. Lots of extra love for current cat. So they don’t feel left out.

4.When they do start to investigate we verbally remind current cats to be nice. I know that it probably does nothing but for some reason we say it.

So far we’ve only had a little hissing at each other and done growls. No fights or any other issues (peeing elsewhere in protest). Everyone gets along fine at this point (we’ve had our youngest cat since May 2019).

We have done this process 4 times now (we had a cat we lost suddenly to an illness last April) and it has worked. I think some of what has worked has been that we haven’t made a huge deal about it and just let it happen naturally (so we were not stressed about it and the cats picked up on that).

I’m 100% not saying that this works for everyone but it has worked for us multiple times over the last 4 years. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Cats are awesome pets!!!

 

[Farro]

Thanks all! I just cant believe we are in this situation so soon, we were supposed to have many years together.

I think us not showing stress is very key...

 

[hopemax]

4 years ago, a 6 month, male kitten showed up on our back porch. We had a 13 year old, male cat who had previously lived with another cat and they fought (we were told this, by the shelter. Their owner had passed away. The owner had raised her own cat, and then a year before taken in a friend's cat when friend moved to a nursing home. We didn't know how serious the fighting might have been, or who was the aggressor).

So knowing this, and armed with having watched several "My Cat from Hell" episodes, our plan was: put kitten in guest bedroom. DH and I would sit on one side of the door and open it just enough for them to sniff noses. Then treats and lots of snuggles, good kitty, talking to them in a friendly voice. Next time, switch who was with each cat, but always treats and snuggles. We would open the door a little bit wider, each time. Then we had them both on the guest bed so they could sniff around a little, reinforce with treats. This was for the first 48 hours or so. Then we would bring them out into the main area, and play with the kitten while the older one watched (we would try to play with him a little, but he wasn't very interested). More treats. We would close the door of our bedroom while, older cat was napping, so kitten could explore the house. Nighttime, the first 2 weeks or so, kitten would be locked up in the guest bedroom. Each day, they were with each other more and more. And after 2 weeks, then we just let them be together. Kitten wanted to wrestle, and older cat really didn't. So there was a lot of howling, but I would watch (I don't work outside the home) and they weren't being violent, so I mostly let them work it out, with me distracting the kitten with play if I felt like it was too much for the older cat. And lots of treats.

They have never become bonded cats, but they are fine with each other, and the 17 year old cat is even willing to wrestle with the now 4.5 year old cat....as long as he "wins." (it's so cute watching the younger one, because he could easily take the older one now, but he puts himself in a completely defenseless position so older cat will engage).

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So sorry to hear about Cashew

Have you talked to your vet for any insight and help? They might have the best information as they've seen your cat.

We have an only cat that will stay an only cat for the foreseeable future but when we were discussing that and the future for children and our vet was incredibly great with all the information.

Our vet did say that often people think a cat must have a playmate but not all cats are meant for that. Given our cat's temperment that's exactly why we will not introduce another cat into the household for a long time if ever. She had advised that often littermates work the best especially when they haven't been separated for a time especially with males but I bet your vet would have some tricks and tips for ya in this case given the unfortunate passing of one of your cats that was a littermate. I would think it helps that Walnut appears to be quite laid back (completely oppposite of our cat lol) and that may bode better for at least a peaceful enough coexistence.

One thing I will say is my mother-in-law, while I love her, has never even attempted to adjust new cats into the household (she's up to 8 now). She just plops them down and hopes for the best. That isn't something I would personally suggest.

 

[DVCjj]

There is no rhyme or reason what cats will do, be it age difference, sex difference or background difference. My 2 cats 8 years apart, one feral we rescued, one from anti-cruelty rescue, tolerated each other for years and years. The feral was a mellow dream (go figure) and the other hissed under her breath for years and years if 'Mittens' entered a room. Yet, my friend has 3 cats...2 male/1 female, adopted at 3 different time and 3 different ages and all 3 are literally joined at the hip. It's uncanny. Their together poses should be on the cover of Cat Fancy.

You will drive yourself crazy trying to do what's best and it won't make one bit of difference. My personal opinion is even if they are never best buds, in a storm or when you are gone, it will be comforting to them to have another cat there. Mine weren't friends but I just had that feeling.

 

[LSUmiss]

I'm asking everywhere!

We adopted two litter-mates in Dec 2015, Walnut and Cashew. They loved, loved, loved each other. Sadly and a story I won't go into, Cashew died October 21, 2019 of intestinal lymphoma. I'm still reeling from it, but that's besides the point.

Walnut, after a bit, seems to have adjusted quite well. He's a happy guy, eating well, still playful, etc. He is having an ultrasound done because he has hairballs, but mostly for our peace of mind, but other than that everything is perfect with him. He doesn't run up to people and love on them like Cashew did, but he's certainly not scared. The vet says he is the most laid back cat they've seen in a long time.

We want to eventually bring another cat to our home. Walnut will be 5 in March and I have some questions:

1. Is 5 too old to bring in a new cat?
2. Female, male or doesn't matter?
3. Because Walnut was so close with Cashew, will he reject all other cats?
4. We want to adopt a young cat - 6-9 months. Yes, no?
5. Would 2 kittens be better to adopt so they have each other if Walnut doesn't want to play?

I want to do right by Walnut. He's what's important.

View attachment 462611

Tell me your advice please and thank you!

1. I don’t think it matters b/c he’s not geriatric.
2. I would go male just b/c females tend to be meaner (ime)
3. He will likely reject all cats at first regardless of if he’s had cashew or not. That’s just how cats are.
4. although he’ll probably be annoyed the younger the better. The best luck I’ve had introducing new cats is kittens to adults. I recommend even younger than you said b/c walnut should see him as less of a threat. The recommendations is to keep the separated for a while. Put the new kitten in a bedroom away from walnut where walnut can still smell him & even see him sometimes. They’ll still likely be hissing & slapping at first, but the kitten shouldn’t really do it back much so it shouldn’t last too long b/c walnut shouldn’t feel intimidated. IME cats react out of fear not aggression like dogs who don’t get along.

good luck!

 

[Hikergirl]

It really depends on the cat.
We had a female older cat and introduced a new female kitten. They got along, although I wouldn't say they loved each other, they just didn't fight with eachother. The older one got sick and we had to put her down so it was just the younger one for awhile.
Then a couple years ago we got 2 new kittens (bro & sis). Our cat gets along with the brother but absolutely hates the sister.
You just never know, if your cat is doing fine and is happy I'm not sure I'd risk getting another.

 

[monsterkitty]

I had two cats in college who were best buddies. One got cancer when he was 18 and we had to put him to sleep. Tis, the remaining cat, would look at his reflection in the mirror and cry for his buddy. When Tis was about 20, we got Monsterkitty, who was a feral kitten. It took about 1 day before Tis decided Monster was dirty and needed a bath.

We put Tis to sleep when he was 23. Monster had his dog brother and was doing fine. I was not, however, as Monster likes his dad more than he likes me. I needed a cat! Everyone told me that Monster would not take to a kitten or cat because he was so territorial when a cat came near our house and Monster could look at the window and see that cat. I took Monster to the vet for his check-up and came home with a Siamese kitten. Two days later, Lilo must have been dirty because Monster was giving her a bath (as Jack the Golden Retriever was giving Monster his bath).

Some people suggest putting one cat in a room with the door closed. After a few hours, switch cats in that room so the old cat can get used to the new cat smell.

My vet, and I'm not kidding, told me to lick my hand and then pet the new cat's head with the saliva on my hand. He said that the old cat will recognize my smell and will take to the new cat better. So, this is what we've done with new cats when introducing them with the old cats.

 

[elphaba91]

We adopted our girl Blossom when our boy Willow was about 15 months old. We knew that he needed to be the alpha cat so needed a kitten who was sweet and placid (particularly as he was a very timid cat). Both of ours are ‘RSPCA specials’ so we really got to choose which kitten we wanted, particularly with Blossom as we were the only ones there at the time. In our experience, the personality they showed that first day is who they’ve continued to be as adults, so I would say to go with your gut about whether a kitten is the right one for Walnut.

When we brought Blossie home we first showed her to Willow still in her carrier; he hissed at her and then went and hid outside. We kept them separated for about a week; our house has 2 distinct halves with a sliding door in between. Willow was in the half of the house that we are in most of the time and we made sure to give him lots of attention and also to let him sniff us after visiting the kitten. It did become tricky because Blossie was desperate to get to the other half of the house and learned to open the door and then learned to jump over the table we used to block it. Eventually we couldn’t keep them apart. Their first proper meeting Willow hissed at Blossom and gave her a bop on the nose but she was fine and he soon realised she wasn’t a threat.

Now they are like a real brother and sister. She worships him and he usually tolerates her. Sometimes he can be mean to her and chase her, but when a neighbourhood cat tried to attack her he came to her defence and beat up the other cat - he’s the only one allowed to beat up his little sister!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We have two cats right now (currently discussing the possibility of adding a third at some point). What worked for us was working with a private shelter. We could discuss our home environment and needs in depth with the shelter owner, and she could suggest which cats she thought would work best in our home. We are still in touch with her because she loves hearing how our cats are doing. I know other people who've adopted cats at different times. They agree that working with the shelter people to try to make the best match can be very helpful. Feliway spray and diffusers are super helpful to alleviate stress and to help keep all the cats happy. Rescue Remedy for pets can help, too. We kept the cats separated at first and introduced rags and bedding with their scents over several days. Then we watched to see their reactions. They seemed eager to meet, so we introduced them slowly and always with our supervision. Lots of play therapy was key to helping them get to know each other without fear. And we are super careful to be as fair as possible with treats and attention so that no one feels provoked to jealousy. They get along very well now (of course, there are the occasional tussles) -- even the vet and the techs are impressed by how happy they are together.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I introduced an adult male to my established group of 4 adult cats (1 male, 3 females) who had grown up together from the time they were kittens. The new cat came straight off the street so I kept him quarantined in a separate part of the house for 6 months to be absolutely certain he was disease free before introducing him to my crew. That gave everyone plenty of time to get to get accustomed to the smells and sounds of the new cat’s presence. After a while I moved all the food bowls to opposite sides of the separating door so they had a reason to be within close proximity of each other every day under positive circumstances.

When I was ready to let them start mingling, I did so slowly. I would open the door and sit between them — new cat on one side, original four on the other — and reward them with treats or catnip for a few minutes at a time before closing the door again. I gradually increased the length and frequency of those sessions until I felt they were all pretty comfortable with each other. Once they were fully integrated, the original four tolerated the new one decently well. There were instances of hissing and growling but never any physical fighting. The new cat was treated as a bit of an outsider and befriended the dog instead. He became more and more accepted over time and they all coexisted peacefully for over a decade.