new more aggressive cat

Question
Hello, I was wondering if a cat can be tagged a "fighter cat". I was at my friends house yesturday for the holiday and he had inherited a cat from his aunt 10 years ago. This cat supposedly didn't like men but since no one else wanted her, my friend brought her home with him. Unfortunately, right off the bat the new cat and my friends original 10 yaer old male cat didn't get alone. The new cat would attack it and they'd fight a lot. 10 years later, the original cat is too old to really fight back so now he's getting beat up by the female inherited one. For some reason she really took a liking to me yesturday so my friend wants me to try taking her home to see if she'd be ok with me and my 14month old female cat. I'm a bit worried because a friend of mine said if this cat has fought for 10 years, she'd most likely fight with my cat too. Is this true?  I was hoping since she took a liking to me, she'd be more comfortable around me and in turn maybe not feel like fighting with my cat but my friend feels it's just something in the cat and it's personality that won't change no matter what. Any info/help would be great! Thanks

Answer
Hi Lori.  This is not necessarily true.  It can't be denied that there are just some cats who are better off being the only cat in the household.  However, only about one in a hundred is that way.  Most cats are social creatures and will get along with other cats if introduced properly.

But just as with humans, certain cats just don't get along.  It's not that one cat is mean and the other is nice.  There is just a personality conflict.  

I don't think there would be any reason why you shouldn't give this kitty a shot at your home.  Just be prepared for a somewhat lengthy introduction period.  You should plan on a minimum of two weeks of complete separation before you try to introduce the older kitty to your resident cat.

Start by keeping the new kitty in one room.  Let him settle in there for a few days.  When he's comfortable, eating and using the litter box regularly, you can let him out to explore the rest of the house and put your kitty in his room with the door closed for a little.  They can get used to one another's scents this way.  I'd do this a few times a day for a couple weeks before trying to introduce them face-to-face.  

Then I would try introducing them using a cat carrier for protection.  Place the new kitty in a carrier and let them sniff and look at each other through this.  

Once there's no hissing or growling or swatting, you can try introducing them without the carrier.  Try feeding them at the same time at opposite ends of one room.  Move the bowls closer together every day.  They should be eating peacefully side by side in a couple weeks.

Typical introduction takes 2 weeks, but with adult cats, it can take longer.  I'd say you could probably plan on a good four weeks in this situation.