NationStates Jolt Archive

So, with my friend and I moving into an apartment together soon, (hopefully really soon), the question of our cats meeting comes up. As you guys know, I have a two year old Siamese cat who's been fixed and all four paws are declawed. My friend's cat is a male gray/white tabby who's been fixed (right before they start that pissing phase Thank God) and front are declawed but not the back. I don't know the age of the cat, I'm guessing anywhere from two to five years.

Anyways, the apartments we are looking at will have at least 1.5 baths, so we figured that one cat would get one bathroom, and the other one will get the other one. That way they have their own special place to use the box and there won't be any problems on that front. We also decided that since we're getting a two bedroom apartment, that my room will be Amelia's territory and the other room will be the other's cat territory.

However, this doesn't really solve the problem of them fighting over the rest of the house. If there's one thing I learn about cats is that they are very territorial. Hell Sara (God rest her soul) actually peed on the furniture after I brought home two stray kittens. So, I think Amelia and the other cat may go on a peeing frenzy once they meet, and that smell is HARD to get rid of. I'm also wondering what to do about food, I'm thinking that I'd have Amelia's food and water in my room, and the other cat in the other bedroom.

I guess what I'm asking is what's the best way to introduce two adult cats, one male and the other female, so that they won't go marking their territory all over and one doesn't dominate over the other? Because I'm kinda worried that Amelia (given her shy and reserved nature) will be dominated by the other one.

I've had cats all my life and lived in several multi-cat households, so here's my experience, for what it's worth:

1) You cannot determine their territories. They will do that, no matter what you do. Both cats will be more stressed by not having the full run of the house than by sharing with each other.

2) Unless the cats are on restricted diets, there is little point in separating their feeding areas and litter boxes, because they will find and use each other's. However, two litter boxes is a good idea. EDIT: And clean the boxes FREQUENTLY!! I've seen cats who refused to share a box and cats who would deliberately over-soil a box to annoy another cat.

3) When you first bring them together, isolate them in separate rooms. Then let each one roam the house while the other stays locked up, in turns, so they can explore on their own and check out each other's scents and sounds. Do this for one day.

4) When you first let them out together, supervise to prevent any serious fighting. Expect some fighting now and then, just be on the lookout for real violence. If it happens, separate them and isolate them until they calm down. If you are worried, you can lock them up in the respective bedrooms when you go out, but don't keep doing that for too long. Also, because of the genders, there is a slight chance of some sex fighting, with the male cat attempting to mount, even though he's neutered, and the female not being receptive to that. Just ignore that -- she'll sort him out.

5) In re peeing, buy plastic sheeting and washable slipcovers until they get used to each other. If they start doing it competitively, consult a vet about repellents for your furniture. However, if they were neutered early enough, it should not be too much of a problem, unless they are both "alpha cats."

6) Provide/arrange a few small hiding places, so they can get away from each other (and you) when they feel the need for some quality alone time.

7) Expect an extended period of extra-nutty behavior as they figure out new ways to work this thing you thought would be a good idea into their lives. ;)

8) In re dominance, that will be determined by their personalities. Giving the shy cat hiding places will help that, but you might be surprised. My cat who is a giant and a killer of rodents, has no aggression towards other cats, and regularly got his ass kicked by my mom's cat who had been weaned too early and was a clinging, needy, neck-licking love-junkie, half my cat's weight and twice his age -- yet the fey, old thing would just punch my cat in the head till he gave up all the comfy seats whenever I minded him for my mom.

Good luck. :)

Having been in cat rescue for years and fostered a good many cats as well as having a multicat house hold I will agree with Muravyets completely.

I would only suggest letting the older cat cat loose to roam first - but I also suggest for doing it for more than just a day though

My local group does it on a ten week sechedule, but they are very cautious. I have mostly shortened it to about 2 weeks, as my core group is very social, and I tend to specialize in raising bottle babies.

Also it has been noted that sometimes females bullyrag neutered males, especially if they are older, dominant females.

But your cats will figure out their own harmony and it may surprise you. Both should of course be given as much attention by 'their' person as possible, to reinforce the postivie connection between you.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes!

Good points, IduC.

I guess I've just been lucky with the cats I've had -- all have been rather emotionally sound and relatively non-aggressive, and didn't need to be isolated so long. It really depends on the animal.

Also, to Wilgrove again, don't be surprised if one or both of them becomes invisible for a while.

Just my two cents... but I have never had a problem with two cats in the same household.

It's actually recommended that you have one more litter box than you do cats, so you may want a third.

As for one dominating the other, it's almost inevitable that this WILL happen, they need to know the pecking order. I think the only thing that kept our cats semi-equal is the fact that every time the two of them started a dominance contest I stared them both down and reminded them that the dominant cat in the house is ME.

So, with my friend and I moving into an apartment together soon, (hopefully really soon), the question of our cats meeting comes up. As you guys know, I have a two year old Siamese cat who's been fixed and all four paws are declawed. My friend's cat is a male gray/white tabby who's been fixed (right before they start that pissing phase Thank God) and front are declawed but not the back. I don't know the age of the cat, I'm guessing anywhere from two to five years.

Anyways, the apartments we are looking at will have at least 1.5 baths, so we figured that one cat would get one bathroom, and the other one will get the other one. That way they have their own special place to use the box and there won't be any problems on that front. We also decided that since we're getting a two bedroom apartment, that my room will be Amelia's territory and the other room will be the other's cat territory.

However, this doesn't really solve the problem of them fighting over the rest of the house. If there's one thing I learn about cats is that they are very territorial. Hell Sara (God rest her soul) actually peed on the furniture after I brought home two stray kittens. So, I think Amelia and the other cat may go on a peeing frenzy once they meet, and that smell is HARD to get rid of. I'm also wondering what to do about food, I'm thinking that I'd have Amelia's food and water in my room, and the other cat in the other bedroom.

I guess what I'm asking is what's the best way to introduce two adult cats, one male and the other female, so that they won't go marking their territory all over and one doesn't dominate over the other? Because I'm kinda worried that Amelia (given her shy and reserved nature) will be dominated by the other one.

is it just me or do people who use computers to do such things as post in such forums all have cats?

is it just me or do people who use computers to do such things as post in such forums all have cats?

I have no pets, however i live with 2 dogs, two cats, and until recently 3 hyperactive ferrets.

As you guys know, I have a two year old Siamese cat ...

I'm sorry, but no. You're incorrect.

I can't help but notice the phrase, "de-clawed" in the OP. Why not just go the whole hog and shave, de-tail and pull out all it's teeth while you're at it. And hack it's ears off.
you couldn't just clipped it's claws every couple of weeks? That too much effort for you, was it?

you couldn't just clipped it's claws every couple of weeks? That too much effort for you, was it?
Going by having a cat that is completely used to my manhandling of it, I would have to say yes. Though the only reason my cat has it's front claws removed is my parents made me since I was living with them.

Also, you're being useless.

I have no pets, however i live with 2 dogs, two cats, and until recently 3 hyperactive ferrets.
Ferrets are fucking nuts.

Going by having a cat that is completely used to my manhandling of it, I would have to say yes. Though the only reason my cat has it's front claws removed is my parents made me since I was living with them.

Also, you're being useless.
useless?
you have any idea what declawing (Onychectomy) actually is?
It's not just cutting the claw off. It's akin to cutting off the end of a human finger at the first joint. And makes the cat incapable of defending itself if attacked. In other words, mutilating a cat just to stop it scratching your couch cause you're too lazy to get a scratching post and clip it's claws occasionally.
useless. yeah right.

I can't help but notice the phrase, "de-clawed" in the OP. Why not just go the whole hog and shave, de-tail and pull out all it's teeth while you're at it. And hack it's ears off.
you couldn't just clipped it's claws every couple of weeks? That too much effort for you, was it?
Ditto. While my parents' cats have long since expired, I don't recall any problems with them scratching anything, except Stubbles's occasional desire to climb up the wallpaper and open doors if we didn't let him out. To be honest, I don't think it's that much of a common practice in the UK.*

*EDIT: Wiki tells me that's because it's illegal in the UK, and it's uncommon out of North America.

Maybe they'll become lovers. And I bet Amelia will love being dominated.

useless?
you have any idea what declawing (Onychectomy) actually is?
It's not just cutting the claw off. It's akin to cutting off the end of a human finger at the first joint. And makes the cat incapable of defending itself if attacked. In other words, mutilating a cat just to stop it scratching your couch cause you're too lazy to get a scratching post and clip it's claws occasionally.
useless. yeah right.

In Europe it's generally considered an act of animal cruelty (and, I believe, described as such in the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals), is illegal in several European states, such as Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.

Maybe they'll become lovers. And I bet Amelia will love being dominated.

Kinky, I wish but they're both fixed, so I doubt that'll happen hehe.

is it just me or do people who use computers to do such things as post in such forums all have cats?

It's just you, I don't have any cats.



Ferrets, yes, cats, no.

One thing of note that it's kind of too late to prevent. Oddly enough, in my experience, declawed cats tend to have more problem meeting new cats than cats that still have their claws. But so far, the advice given is pretty good stuff. In addition, if the cats have favorite blankets or other items that might have their scent, you might want to leave them in a common area where the cats can get a good whiff of eachother before their first face to face meeting.

And if things don't go well, youtube it please. :)

useless?
you have any idea what declawing (Onychectomy) actually is?
Yes. Do you have any idea what the topic is?

Ok, if you want to discuss the merit of de-clawing, please create another thread for it. This thread is for introducing two cats to each other.

Thank you.

As for one dominating the other, it's almost inevitable that this WILL happen, they need to know the pecking order. I think the only thing that kept our cats semi-equal is the fact that every time the two of them started a dominance contest I stared them both down and reminded them that the dominant cat in the house is ME.

Hmm, with my cat, whether she starts to get out of control, I make this sound that sounds like a motorcycle starting to rev up, and then she quits. So far it hasn't worked on the room mate's cat.

is it just me or do people who use computers to do such things as post in such forums all have cats?

I got crayfish... :D


I've heard that if you have the cats in their own carriers. you put them next to each other to get them used to each other's scent.

but then I don't have cats, so take my advice with a little more than a grain of salt.