[Invictus]

I know there is a similar question floating on this board, but my situation is a little different, and I don't want to threadjack...<br><br><br><br>
OK. I have a 2 1/2 year old female cat, and 1 each 1 1/2 year old female and male cats. All are neutered/spayed. Tomorrow I will be adopting a 12 year old female cat (if she's not spayed, she will be by the time she comes in the house). Her owners moved and dumped her! Poor old lady... Anyways, I can't leave the girl living on the streets, she's a real sweetheart.<br><br><br><br>
So here are my questions...<br><br><br><br>
1. Is it different introducing an older cat to younger cats? Any different techniques?<br><br>
2. She was indoor/outdoor. Is it going to be hell transitioning her to an all indoor-cat? She is currently living in my boss' yard, and she tries to get in the house, so maybe that's a good sign...<br><br><br><br>
Any stories? Advice? Encouragement....

 

[Chasing the Dog]

Good for you for taking her in!<br><br><br><br>
I would quarantine her in another room for awhile. You are going to want to do the intro slowly as cats can be very... well... catty!<br><br><br><br><br><br>
I would, over time, switch bedding between the cats (new cat gets resident cats used bedding, and vice versa) and take a rag and wipe the scent glans on the side of their faces and place it under the opposing cats food so that they smell each while eating so other cat = good food.<br><br><br><br>
Do it slowly, over a few weeks and you'll be less likely to get a full out war (which is nice).

 

[kpickell]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Invictus</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
1. Is it different introducing an older cat to younger cats? Any different techniques?</div>
</div>
<br>
Not really.. Isolation and slow introductions is the key for any new cat regardless of age. It might just take longer for an older cat.<br><br><br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Invictus</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
2. She was indoor/outdoor. Is it going to be hell transitioning her to an all indoor-cat?</div>
</div>
<br>
Shouldn't be, but I recommend getting a feliway plug in to ease that transition. Keep her entertained. I haven't fostered too many cats, but all the ones I did foster were transitioned from indoor/outdoor to indoor-only without any problems.

 

[sesquipedalian]

I could just google it but I'd like to hear from an individual in the know: feliway plug?<br><br><br><br><br><br>
(we're also thinking of bringing another cat into our household. Sophie has been an only cat since I got her from a rescue group and we're not sure how she'll take to a new addition.)

 

[Thalia]

Have you read Cat vs. cat? It has a lot of good advice about introductions in general. Not sure about an older cat, though.

 

[Invictus]

Thanks for the advice. Clare is settling into my bedroom, and the cats are sniffing her blanket. All is calm...so far. The kittens don't really care about the blanket, and the older cat just is moping.<br><br><br><br>
I'm going to look for one of those plugs.

 

[kpickell]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>sesquipedalian</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I could just google it but I'd like to hear from an individual in the know: feliway plug?<br></div>
</div>
<br>
It's a pheromone that puts cats at ease. Plug it into your wall and the liquid is heated sending vapors with the pheromones through the room.<br><br>
There's a dog version I've used called Comfort Zone.