I’ve been blogging about my new cat CeCe whom I rescued from the Arizona Humane Society on August 9. I’ve been slowly introducing her to my cat Benny and he’s responding in a manner that has surprised me. He likes to tackle CeCe from the front like a wrestler from the WWF or WWE! New cat introductions can be a bit tricky.

CeCe was quarantined for over a week because she developed an upper respiratory infection. I was told by my veterinarian to take the new cat introductions slow. I was advised to try the “crate” technique; I didn’t do this because I was not about to go out and buy a crate. The alternative was to introduce Benny & CeCe in small time intervals each day. This was an experience.

Tips and Tricks

• Have someone else bring in the new cat. Ignoring the new cat will put the resident cat at ease. You give your cat the impression that it wasn’t your idea to bring another cat into the home.
• Keep the new cat away from your cat for at least two weeks. Even if the new cat was only at a shelter for five days or less they still can develop an upper respiratory infection.
• Make sure the new cat has its own feeding dishes and litter box. This way your cat will not be susceptible to an upper respiratory infection.
• Shower your cat with love and attention. There’s no reason to stop doting on your cat because of a new cat. And, it will show your cat that he/she still has primary status with you.
• Make sure the cats are spayed or neutered. Cats coming from the Humane Society will be spayed or neutered. Most shelters will offer the service for a low cost.
• Allow your new cat and resident cat to get to know each other under supervised play time. If their play gets to rough (fur is flying) separate them and try again in a few hours or the next day.

Benny is getting used to CeCe, although he doesn’t always show it. He was used to being the “King of the Apartment.” Now he must share me with this other cat who took a lot of my attention because she was sick. Yes, new cat introductions are just like introducing a 3-year old child to its new brother or sister.

I would like for Benny and CeCe to share a bathroom. Right now CeCe’s food and water is in my bedroom and her litter box is in my bathroom. Benny is known to use the litter box as well. It’s not fun having kitty litter all over the floor, especially when you step out of the shower and step on it. Yuck!

It’s interesting all of the “myths” that surround new cat introductions like male cats are more affectionate and accepting and a cat of one sex is more accepting of a cat of the opposite sex. These people obviously haven’t met Benny. He’s affectionate and growing tolerant of CeCe, but he’s still getting used to her in his own way on his own time.

I may not have done the new cat introductions the “right” way, but at least Benny and CeCe are getting used to each other. It may take another month or two before the claws, hissing, and spitting stop. Until then I’ll keep my chin up and pray that these two learn to get along. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

Rebecca

What advice do you have on introducing a new cat into the household?

I recently adopted a female tabby cat from the Arizona Humane Society. Before I adopted CeCe, I inquired as to whether it was better to have two males or a male and a female. I wanted to find a cat that was compatible with my cat Benny. I was told it didn’t matter. I’m beginning to think it does because Benny has become aggressive towards CeCe which has surprised me. He’s really a big teddy bear but for some reason he’s been acting up.

I introduced the cats slowly. In fact, CeCe developed an upper respiratory infection even though she was only at the Arizona Humane Society for four days. I kept her separated from Benny for over one week. As she got better, my vet said it would be all right for her to be around Benny. He was ok at first, but then all holy hell broke loose.

Benny was an only cat, and I recently found out that it may be better to have a one cat household. I was taken aback by this because most people have two or more cats. Plus, I’ve read on the internet that it’s best to have two cats so they don’t get lonely. Is this another myth about cats? I was told at the Arizona Humane Society that cats are territorial. If they’re territorial, how could you have two cats?

If you want to adopt a cat, you may consider getting two from the same litter. This way you’ll have a brother and brother or a brother and sister. Your life will be much easier versus going and adopting a cat from a Humane Society and praying to God that they get along.

Unfortunately, adopting a cat isn’t like adopting a dog. The Humane Society allows you to bring your current dog with you to see if he/she will be compatible with a dog you’d like to adopt. They won’t allow you to bring your current cat because they are territorial and it may be too stressful for them. I’m not sure I agree with this. Then again, there is the upper respiratory infection to consider. But, dogs at a Humane Society are known for getting “kettle cough.” Go figure!

If you’re considering getting a cat, you may want to get two from the same litter. It may be easier than getting one cat and then deciding further down the road to adopt another one. When introducing a new cat, be patient. It will take time. It’s just like bringing a new born baby home to meet its older brother or sister. Things may not go smoothly at first, but eventually it will get better!

Rebecca