new kitty vs old kitty

PLEASE help.....I know most cats DO NOT get along with eachother when they first meet. I just need some advice on this new situation. :shock:
I have a 1 year old kitty named Kiefer and he is my baby. My fiance and I wanted another kitty in the house and it happened that there was a beautiful 2 year old Russian Blue that the owner could not keep. When I met her she was loving and happy. She had been given away before I was able to get to her. I knew of the people to whom she went. Half of the household did not want her plus they had three young girls that terrified the poor thing. All I had heard was that she was hiding, biting and scratching. They decided not to keep her.
I agreed to take her in, knowing that she had been stressed. She's reacted how I had imagined she would toward Kiefer but I want to make things easier for her b/c it's after being with the other owners, she's a totally different cat. I know she's scared and I'm not worried about Kiefer being aggressive, he's just lovey and playful and he doesn't act angry toward her he just doesn't know what to do. How can I help them adjust?

 

In my opinion (I'm no expert by any means), it's a terrortorial situation that they will have to resolve by themselves. I don't think you can do much of anything to speed the process along or ease it.

I'll be curious to see what other's post about this situation. Out of curousity, do they share a litterbox well?

 

Congratulations on the new addition! Cats identify each other primarily by smell. One thing that a lot of people do to help their cats adjust to one another is to rub one cat with a towel and then rub the other one so that they get used to each other's scent. I personally had success with a couple of drops of vanilla extract placed at the base of the tail (butt end, on the back) and between the shoulder blades. This makes the cats smell the same and they see each other as less of a threat. Try to get each cat to associate positive things with the other cat, like only giving them treats when the other one is around or playing with them or petting them together. Good luck!

 

Its seems to be easier on them when they are slowly introduced. The new cat should be kept in a seperate room for the first few days. The cats should be able to sniff each other under the door and you can exchange their bedding, toys, ect. with each other to help them get used to each others scents. After a few days you can start intoducing them for a few minutes at a time over a few days to see how they react to each other. There are also products that may be helpful such as Comfort Zone w/feliway pluggins and Rescue Remedy which are supposed to ease stressed cats. Over time I'm sure they will get along fine or at least be able to tolerate one another. Best wishes.

 

Congrats on your new furbaby. The previous posts pretty much said it but I will tell you my expierence with new introductions.

I had lived in a quiet house with one other person and we each had a cat. A year ago I moved in with my sister and 18 yr. old nephew. My sister had 3 male cats and two dogs.

My cat Wrigley had never been exposed to so much commotion. Between all the animals, and my nephews friends in and out of the house, I thought she would never adjust. Quite the opposite has happened. She has become more friendly and affectionate. She doesn't run and hide when a new person comes into the home. All the animals live harmoniously now.

Time and patience My expierence is the opposite of what you have. Your new cat is going from a house of commotion to a quieter enviorment. Over time she will adjust. Kiefer sounds like he is adjusting well, yes? (I love that name!!) What is the name of your new cat?

I also suggest using Feliway. It's a bit expensive but you only need one squirt in a couple of key areas. The bottle lasts a long time.

Keep us updated on the progress.

 

I am the front line

sorry everyone about not updating.

I appreciate all of your relplies and advice.
Kiefer has the social abilities of a dog. :lol: He just wants to love her and play with her. She on the other hand has very little patience for him.

I named her Lydia by the way. She is a beautiful girl. She has come a long way with us. She comes to us when she wants affection and doesn't hide when we come home. She is getting better at letting me pick her up and calm her down. I trimmed her claws today. That was a trip. Afterward, I sat and rocked her like a baby until she started purring and fell asleep (at much relief to me).

We did keep them apart for about the 1st week and a half, letting them take turns roaming the house.

Lydia has her own food dishes and litter box, however she uses Kiefer's dishes and litter box and vice versa.

They are so busy scoping eachother out and chasing eachother I swear Kiefer has forgotten how to play. I've set up a "recess" sort of thing. When things are getting too tense I separate them and alternate playtime. I don't think she was played with much as a kitten but we're working on it.
This could go on forever! :shock: teehee