Introduction of new cat to older cat?

Question
QUESTION: Norm,
I hope you can help!

I have a 7-year old Siamese Rag Doll.  We live in Alaska,got her as a kitten. She is mostly indoors, in the winter especially, but loves to go out in the summer.  She is our first cat and has been declawed.  She has been a good family cat... kids adore her.  

In the last year, we have moved and she has periodiaclly pooped on my bed.  Disgusting!  No pattern, no seeming reason for retaliation...don't understand.  I have cleaned with everything and still it happens.

We are not home very much (divorce has kids back and forth weekly and I work full-time) and I am wondering if I should get her a companion.  If so, a kitten?  Gender? How to introduce her to the new cat is something I know nothing about or if this is even a good idea.

Any ideas?  Thanks in advance, Deb

ANSWER: Debby,

It seems your 7 year old is reacting to all your stress and all the changes.  This could be a reason for the inappropriate pooping.  When you cleaned it up, did you use an enzyme based cleaner specifically for pet stains and pet odors?

It may be a companion will be a good idea.  On the other hand, it could make things worse.  You just cannot tell ahead of time.  Most often an older cat will accept a new kitten.  I do not think gender matters once the kitten is neutered or spayed.  To introduce them, I would use the following protocol:

Start out your new kitten in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with yourself or another human resident. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your new kitten will not be overwhelmed by its new surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan (often kittens or rescues have been confined and are somewhat daunted by wide open spaces!). You will feed the new kitten in this room and keep the established cat out. It allows the new kitten to bond with you or another human being and also build up some self assurance in its new surroundings since it will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows the new kitten and the established 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 you must 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 the new kitten is introduced (yes, cats do get jealous!).

A couple of things you may have to do are to feed them on separate dishes. 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.


On litter pan problems, here is a link to a series of excellent articles on the subject:

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html


Please let me know how it goes.

Best regards... Norm.


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

QUESTION: Thanks for your response, Norm.  What you say makes a lot of sense.  I have used the enzyme cleaner.  

I spoke with our local pet shelter here and was told about some spray that can be applied to areas where cats have used inappropriately.  Do you know about this or can you recommend a certain product?

Also, they said that they would get a much better handle on the "pooping on the bed" issue before introducing another cat.  The fear being the teaching of bad habits.  They also recommended adding another litter biox in a different location for our current cat.

What do you think?  

Thanks, Deb

Answer
Deb,

OK.  I believe the spray they are talking about is called Feliway, which also comes in a diffuser.

I would also read some of the articles pointed to by the URL I gave you in my first response.  You may get some clues as to what you may want to do.

As a temporary measure, you may want to cover your bed with a shower curtain or something else plastic for a while.  It may be that she is getting into a habit whereas the original reason for her inappropriate habits may be gone.  With pooping, things like medical issues (parasites or impacted anal glands, etc.), changing type or brand of litter, placement of litter pan, additions to the household, any kind of stress, just to name a few, can all contribute to inappropriate litter box habits.

I cannot disagree that you may first want to get the poop back where it belongs before introducing another cat.

Best regards... Norm.