introducing adult cats

[mandimoo]

3 weeks into our introduction programme! just starting to let the new cat loose in the same vicinity as the resident cat. having to hold onto the resident cat as she is determined to chase new cat off. we have been preventing this from happening so new cat doesnt just run away (new cat by the way, belongs to me, ive had him 10 years and we have just moved in with boyfriend and his cat). i need to know.... should we continue to restrain the resident cat, will she ever get over the need to see him off? or should we let a little spat occur, so they establish their hierarchy? i would be standing by with water spray and a soft cushion to throw if it kicked off. i mean, how much agression between them is too much? sorry, i realise theres a few questions in there.

[Psychick]

At some point they need to meet properly. You will probably find your boyfriends cat will be more dominent at first as it is his/her territory. You may have to stand by and allow your cat to be given a few side swipes while it gets told who is boss. Of course it can happen the other way round too. Your cat could soon put the other one its place and be the boss. But you will never know till you let them both have the freedom.

Another thing you have to be wary of, restraining your boyfriends cat whilst its watching your cat roam free on its territory could make the situation worse.

Get your spray and cushion ready and see what happens!

Good Luck

[redcrx]

i spoke to someone who had about 12 cats once. She couldnt resist a stray.
I asked how she coped with introducing a new cat and she said she'd lock them all in together, they hiss, spit and fight for a while and then once the pecking order was established would be fine.

[MrsJ1]

Open a tin of tuna and rub a little of the liquid onto the back of the new cat's neck. the resident cat will be more interested in licking this off than fighting! Good luck