Another cat

Question
Wanted to get a companion for my female 18mos.(give or take a few months). But don't even know if she really needs one. She is an outdoor/indoor cat and has had on occasion had the other cats in the neighborhood(probably males)get in a fight. Nothing serious though. Yes she is fixed. I am home most of the day but thought she might like afriend. What is the best way to introduce another? Male/Female? Age? And one more thing. Just recently she has been bringing me home, I guess presents,dead birds,LIVE snakes,etc. What the hell is up with that stuff? Do cats usually do this? Thanks so much

Answer
Michael,

Since you are home, I am not sure she would want or appreciate a "friend".  Below, I will give you a technique we recommend to introduce a new cat or kitten toi a home with an established pet.  If they are fixed male vs. female does not seem to matter. It is always easier to introduce a kitten rather than an older cat.  BTW, people seem to picking up 8,9, 10 week kittens. These are way to young to go to a new home.  Kittens do petter if they are at least 3 months, but preferably 4 months.

As for cats brining home their catches to their owners.  Cats have been doing this as long as anyone can remember and nobody is sure as to why although there is lots of speculation.  If your cat goes outdoors, that is one of the perks <ggg>!

Now, here is how we recommend introducing another cat or kitten to a home with an established pet:



Start out your new cat or 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 cat or 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 rescue cats have been confined and are somewhat daunted by wide open spaces!). You will feed the new cat or kitten in this room and keep the established cat out. It allows the new cat or 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 cat or 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 acustomed 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 cat or 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.



Best regard... Norm.