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#1
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merging households
My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have
one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. |
#2
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Keep the cats separated from each other. Your cat should be in a room by
herself with bed, food, water, and litter. You can then lock her cats in a room by themselves and allow yours to wander the house/apartment. Gradually expose the cats to each other while you are there. Break up any fights which look like one cat might get hurt. This process should be gradual and over time. It usually works.....have patience.......For three cats there should be a minimum of 3 litter boxes. All should have their own food dished and plenty of water dishes. Gail "Adam Rice" wrote in message om... My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. |
#3
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Keep the cats separated from each other. Your cat should be in a room by
herself with bed, food, water, and litter. You can then lock her cats in a room by themselves and allow yours to wander the house/apartment. Gradually expose the cats to each other while you are there. Break up any fights which look like one cat might get hurt. This process should be gradual and over time. It usually works.....have patience.......For three cats there should be a minimum of 3 litter boxes. All should have their own food dished and plenty of water dishes. Gail "Adam Rice" wrote in message om... My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. |
#4
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Well you'll have to seperate them in different rooms. The first week allow
them to sniff each other underneath the door. Then open it a crack so you can allow the cats to see each other. If you have a carrier then I'd put your cat in the carrier and allow the cats to sniff around it. You didn't state whether your new wife is taking your home or you are taking hers. If she is moving to your home then you might want to have her cats in the carriers and allow your cat to sniff and move around them. Also allow your cat to enter the rooom the other cats were confinded to and allow her to sniff the other cats scents. It is highly advised you put her cats in a carrier when she does this (and vice versa if it is her cats checking out your cat's room)Also allow the cats to sniff the rooms where the other cats have been. Then in about the second or third week allow them to interact with each other under supervision. There are going to be spats but that is expected. The cats will set their own rules and boundaries. Then they'll either love each other or at the very least tolerate each other. Slow and easy is probably the best way to introduce cats to each other. -- Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Adam Rice" wrote in message om... My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. |
#5
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Well you'll have to seperate them in different rooms. The first week allow
them to sniff each other underneath the door. Then open it a crack so you can allow the cats to see each other. If you have a carrier then I'd put your cat in the carrier and allow the cats to sniff around it. You didn't state whether your new wife is taking your home or you are taking hers. If she is moving to your home then you might want to have her cats in the carriers and allow your cat to sniff and move around them. Also allow your cat to enter the rooom the other cats were confinded to and allow her to sniff the other cats scents. It is highly advised you put her cats in a carrier when she does this (and vice versa if it is her cats checking out your cat's room)Also allow the cats to sniff the rooms where the other cats have been. Then in about the second or third week allow them to interact with each other under supervision. There are going to be spats but that is expected. The cats will set their own rules and boundaries. Then they'll either love each other or at the very least tolerate each other. Slow and easy is probably the best way to introduce cats to each other. -- Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Adam Rice" wrote in message om... My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. |
#6
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BTW, an added reminder. When the cats are in seperate rooms they should also
have food, water, and a litterbox. Maybe a toy or two as well. -- Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Cat Protector" wrote in message news:MJYdc.370$fS6.45@okepread01... Well you'll have to seperate them in different rooms. The first week allow them to sniff each other underneath the door. Then open it a crack so you can allow the cats to see each other. If you have a carrier then I'd put your cat in the carrier and allow the cats to sniff around it. You didn't state whether your new wife is taking your home or you are taking hers. If she is moving to your home then you might want to have her cats in the carriers and allow your cat to sniff and move around them. Also allow your cat to enter the rooom the other cats were confinded to and allow her to sniff the other cats scents. It is highly advised you put her cats in a carrier when she does this (and vice versa if it is her cats checking out your cat's room)Also allow the cats to sniff the rooms where the other cats have been. Then in about the second or third week allow them to interact with each other under supervision. There are going to be spats but that is expected. The cats will set their own rules and boundaries. Then they'll either love each other or at the very least tolerate each other. Slow and easy is probably the best way to introduce cats to each other. -- Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Adam Rice" wrote in message om... My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. |
#7
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BTW, an added reminder. When the cats are in seperate rooms they should also
have food, water, and a litterbox. Maybe a toy or two as well. -- Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Cat Protector" wrote in message news:MJYdc.370$fS6.45@okepread01... Well you'll have to seperate them in different rooms. The first week allow them to sniff each other underneath the door. Then open it a crack so you can allow the cats to see each other. If you have a carrier then I'd put your cat in the carrier and allow the cats to sniff around it. You didn't state whether your new wife is taking your home or you are taking hers. If she is moving to your home then you might want to have her cats in the carriers and allow your cat to sniff and move around them. Also allow your cat to enter the rooom the other cats were confinded to and allow her to sniff the other cats scents. It is highly advised you put her cats in a carrier when she does this (and vice versa if it is her cats checking out your cat's room)Also allow the cats to sniff the rooms where the other cats have been. Then in about the second or third week allow them to interact with each other under supervision. There are going to be spats but that is expected. The cats will set their own rules and boundaries. Then they'll either love each other or at the very least tolerate each other. Slow and easy is probably the best way to introduce cats to each other. -- Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Adam Rice" wrote in message om... My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. |
#8
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#9
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#10
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"Adam Rice" wrote in message om... My new wife and I are going to be merging our households soon. I have one cat, she has two, and we're anticipating some feline disagreements. My cat is a crotchety old female who mostly ignores other cats, but has no compunction about beating them up when they get in her face--she has her claws and never fails to use them. Her older cat is declawed, and insists on being queen of all she surveys. She's pretty stiff and would not really be able to hold up in a fight. Her younger cat, though big, male, and with claws, is happy to be a doormat. I'm worried that her older cat will try to assert dominance over my cat, and get her butt kicked repeatedly and severely. At this point, they've never been introduced to each other. I'd be most grateful for any tips on keeping this from happening. Here are my suggestions. This worked very well when I adopted Duffy and brought him into my home where Holly was used to being "queen of her domain." (1) Take lots of time. Plan to keep them in separate rooms for several weeks. Give the new cat several days to adjust to the room, then set aside some time each day when you place the resident cats in one room and let the new cat out. Let her wander around the house to become acclimated to it and also to spread her scent around. (2) Make the new cat as comfortable as possible. Alternate spending time with the new cat and the resident cats -- and lavish lots of petting and love on the other cat(s) as you enter or leave the room. Have food, water, litter box, and several toys in the room with the new cat. Play the radio at a low-to-moderate volume with classical or easy listening music -- it has a soothing effect and will keep her company. (3) Take it *very* slow before you try to bring the cats into physical contact, especially under the circumstances you describe. (3) If possible, after two or three weeks you should temporarily replace the door to the room with the new cat with a screen door or one with a mesh panel at the bottom. This will enable the cats to get acquainted without any possibility of fights. You will probably notice some nervousness or aggression at first, but it will slowly change to curiosity and then interest. Try to allow enough space under the door so you can place a platter under the door with tuna fish or some other "treat" on both sides. That way, the cats will become accustomed to eating in close proximity. If you will look at some of the pictures in the first album under my signature, you will see pictures of how I introduced Duffy and Holly. My cat, Holly, had always been very aggressive toward any other cat, and we even called her "the black tornado." This slow, careful introduction worked. I took a full 6 weeks, but they are now very companionable. (4) Place several Feliway diffusers in your house -- one in the room with the new cat and one or two in locations where the other cats spend a lot of time. Feliway has a calming effect, and the plug-in diffusers release pre-measured amounts. They are refillable. Each refill lasts a little more than one month. Good luck! This can be done and will be well worth the time it takes. MaryL (take out the litter to reply) Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o' http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly) http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in") |
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