Will our cats get along?????

[ThingsGottaChange]

In the near future, I will be moving in with my man who has a male cat (Duke) that is neutered and declawed all around. (no bashing - he got him this way) I'm not sure his exact age but, he is a big adult.

I have two spayed, fully clawed females who will be going with me to Duke's house. I had heard that females are more territorial than males and would like to hear anyone's experiences with introducing cats of the opposite sex.

My girls will have their own room at first so they get used to the new place. It will also be where I sleep so, they won't be left alone much. I just don't know what to expect when I make this move. My first instinct is to imagine a continuous cat fight for the first 2 years! I need to be reassured that it "might" not be that bad!!!

Thanks!

[Sanity Claws]

1. Might not be that bad

Another female kitty would pose problems. But a big male? The two girls may fawn over him, after a while.

[IndyOp]

2. You can help to make sure it is not so bad...

Keep the cats completely and entirely apart from each other for up to several good long weeks -- they will be much more accepting of each other when they get used to each other's smell. Keep your cats in your room (with food, water, and litterbox) then when you want them to have a chance to explore the house, put Duke in an enclosed room (with food, water, and litterbox). Giving your cats a chance to relax in their new environment and Duke a chance to get used to the new smells before actually setting eyes on each other is important when introducing adult cats.

Make sure that your cats have their own litter box and feeding station so there is no competition and make sure that the litter boxes stay nice and clean.

Provide 'safe spots' for the cats so that they can get away from each other even when they do begin to be allowed to be in the same room with each other -- cat cubbies are enclosed all the way around except for just one little opening.

Purchase use Feliway generously - it is a spray that you use to help cats relax and it is helpful when you introduce new cats into a home. Feliway can be purchased at most PetSmarts. Also good: Rescue Remedy - available at your local pet food store.

Make sure that all cats stay - as much as possible - in their own little routines in terms of getting attention and exercise and sleeping on the bed. Extra attention and exercise can help a lot!

Be patient... ;)

[ThingsGottaChange]

3. Great advice, IndyOp

Thanks so much! Having a plan like that will certainly make it easier!!

[demnan]

8. I second this advice

looking at your avatar it almost seems like its blessed by the Dalilama!

Well it is good to establish territories for the kitties on the move. It might work out well.

When everyone gets settled just be sure that each cat gets a chance to eat from their own bowl without being invaded from another cat too soon.

Good luck! And enjoy each other! :hi:

[NV Whino]

4. Introducing opposite sex kitties

seems to be easier than same sex. As I stated in another post, it's a balance of sex and age. (My bet is the girls will end up running the household.)

[meow2u3]

5. The male runs the neighborhood/house; the female runs the male

That was my experience with the cats I had 5 years ago. My Maine Coon (may he rest in peace) ran the house; the calico, who was half his size, ran him.

[IndyOp]

6. That sounds right! :-) (nt)

:)

[NV Whino]

7. That's the way the kitty world turns

:)