how can i get them to be friends?

[tigger490]

my childhood cat is called gizzmo she is 19 years old!!!! she lives with my dad, but he is finding it hard to cope with her, i am going to bring her to live out the rest of her days with me, my only problem is my own cat lucy she is 4 and i dont know the best way of introducing gizzmo into the house without all hell breaking loose!!  the reason i am worried is because last summer we took in a stray called flash, he sadly had cancer and died after being with us for only 4 months, but lucy hated him, they fought all the time in the end we had to separate them, i dont want to have to do that again!!  has anyone any advice???????????

[tigger490]

hey, yeah we had gizzmo at the vets, they gave her antibiotics but they didnt work, it only happens occasionally, my dad has a litter tray in the kitchen, dinning room and living room just incase!!!

lucy is most def a diva!!! and its completely my fault lol, i have her ruined, she is like my third arm!!  thanks for the advice, i dont expect them to be the best of friends, but equally i dont want fur flying either!!!  my only saving grace is that gizzmo is very laid back, nothing seems to bother her!

i will keep you posted on how things go xxx

[zodiacqueen]

Hi, have you taken Gizzmo to the vet over her incontinence?  It might be a bladder infection!  That happened to one of my cats, and after the infection cleared up there was no more incontinence!  Might be worth looking into!

Lucy sounds like a major diva!!  LOL  She sounds like a very domineering cat!  To be on the safe side, when you bring Gizzmo home, I would keep both cats separated for at least 3 days.  Keep one of them in a room and let them smell each other under the door.  I think that will prevent some major chaos.  Grant it, there will probably be some chaos, but there will be much less if you introduce them this way!

Best of luck to you!!  =D

Please keep us posted!!!

[tigger490]

thanks for all your advice, i think my biggest problem is lucy, she is so spoilt, i have 3 dogs as well and she attacks them if they go in her space which is pretty much everywhere!! gizzmo however is very laid back, so far she has no major health problems except for slight incontience, sometimes she just doesnt make the litter tray poor thing.  i will keep you posted on how we get on, it will be a couple of weeks before gizzmo makes it over as we are decorating.

[Mrs_Savas]

Hi again!

I meant to add.... Since one of the kitties in question is 19, you might want to keep an extra close eye on her.  Especially if she has health issues.

You are the best judge - it is best to let them be together as much as possible, like I explained, but certainly if you feel their is any danger to the older cat, you could have them separate while no one is home.

Good luck.  Hang in there, it'll get better.  Really.

[Mrs_Savas]

Introducing cats to each other takes a lot of patience and understanding.  The good news is, I have never had two cats that failed to get along eventually, or even become good friends!

Remember, the way cats deal with each other can seem scary, but they have their own social rules and they act from instinct.  It's a good rule of thumb to let them do their thing, as long as no one is getting damaged.  The more you separate them, the longer the whole rigamarole can take.

Also, give equal affection - jealousy can also make these things go on longer.  And don't scold or punish in any way if they seem to be fighting.  They aren't doing anything wrong, they are doing what is natural to them.  Once they establish their social order, they can relax and get along.  

There is an article in the MedHelp Health Pages (lower right of the screen) called Cat Behavioral Issues - Environmental.  Reading that could be helpful.

Keep us posted, ok?

[lynnkay]

Tigger, your situation sounds something like mine. I have a 15 yr. old kitty named Hissie. About 5 mths. ago, I adopted my daughter's cat, named Paradise who is 2. Paradise is a little sweetheart, that simply loves anyone and anything. She was raised around my daughter's other cats and dogs. Sometimes, I think Paradise gets confused and thinks she is a dog though...LOL. But, Hissie just does not like Paradise at all. Hissie just got over a few rough months of being very sick. Had to have intestional surgery, etc. So, Hissie remained in our bedroom. Paradise would go back into the bedroom and visit Hissie though. Hissie would hiss and growl at her, but Paradise just kept visiting. Hissie is a very nervous kitty. She was abused before I adopted her. But, even before Hissie got so sick, she would remain in the bedroom, because of having a new kitty in the house. Now, that Hiss is feeling better, she is coming out of the bedroom for hours. Hissie is tolerating Paradise at best. Last several days, Hissie has chased poor Paradise, just hissing and growling at her. Other days, Hiss does not carry on this way with Paradise. Just will pretty much ignore her. I agree with the other post, about using the cat carrier to introduce both cats. You may even have to seperate them for awhile. Our old kitties are set in their ways and can get a little moody. Which is understandable as your Gizzmo is 19 and my Hissie is 15. I did keep Hiss seperated from Paradise at times, as I was afraid of a cat fight. But, bit by bit, Hiss has adjusted to Paradise being a part of the family now, too. Hiss won't ever like Paradise though I am afraid. I cannot let Hissie see me ever petting and loving on Paradise. Hissie gets super jealous. So, I have to sneak in pets and lovings with Paradise. It has been an experience, but both my babies are worth it. I wish you the best of luck on this. It will take time and patience. I admire you greatly, for bringing Gizzmo back home with you, to live out the rest of her life.

[LeniuXenobia]

Do you have a cat carrier? Introduce one to the other while one is the the cat carrier. See how they react. If it's a pleasant reaction let the one in the cat carrier out. However if it's not pleasant you may consider keeping on cat locked in a room by it's self. Cats are very curious and if the one you aren't locking up hears the other one meowing it will go inspect and maybe they will become friends through the crack under the door as mine did. However it seems both cats are females for you, all the cats I dealt with are male. That may make it difficult as female cats are a heck of a lot more moody, so they may never become friends, but give them a little time to adjust to each other before throwing them free together and letting them fight.