cat metting cat

Question
QUESTION: I am going on vacation soon and i am letting my cousin take care of my cat for the week, but only one problem: My cousin has a cat too. how do i make sure they get along well? Is their any procedure i can do that takes 2 days or less so that the two cats are comfortable? I need a respond ASAP!!! their is only a few days before i go and i need a respond ASAP!!!!      I hope this is not out of your experience.

ANSWER: Jennifer,

I would have your cousin keep the cats separate.  It usually takes 5-7 days as a minimum before letting cats who do not know each other run together.  They most probably would not hurt each other, but they will have intense discussions with plenty of hissing, spitting, and growling.

If you want an introduction protocol, I can given you one, but is starts by keeping the cats separate for 5-7 days.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thankyou for your reply. Well the problem is, My cat dosn't like stayig in one room alone so i was thinking about giving my cat to my cousin eailer by about 5 days so they can learn to get to know each other so what is a good procedure i can do in 5 days so the rest of the week they can get along? Thankyou so much
i hope this is not out of your experience. Please reply ASAP!

Answer
Jennifer,

Here is a protocol we use for introducing one cat to another that has had good success:

Start out your cat in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with a human occupant. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your cat will not be overwhelmed by its new surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan. Your cousin will feed your  cat in this room and keep the established cat out. It allows your cat to bond with another human being and also build up some self assurance in the new surroundings since it will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows your cat and your cousin's cat to sniff each other under the door and get familiar with each others' scents.

After 3-5 days of being in its one room, it is time to let them meet each other. Be prepared for some posturing, some spitting and hissing, and the like. IGNORE IT! After a while, they should begin chasing each other about and still have the occasional hiss or spit as they get accustomed to each other. Cats tend to make a whole lot of noise and even loosen up some fur. Rarely will two cats hurt each other.

Once they are introduced, there are a couple of things to remember. Do not separate them again, they will get along! Do not interfere in their "discussions" as they need to sort it out amongst themselves!

It does not hurt to give the established cat treats and extra attention after your cat is introduced (yes, cats do get jealous!).

A couple of things you may have to do are to feed them on separate dishes and provide more than one litter pan in different areas of the household (as cats can be very territorial about litter pans).

All, in all, this method seems to have had great success in the past and makes for a fairly smooth introduction. Please remember that they may make up immediately, or it may take a few weeks.

Best regards... Norm.