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Your thoughts, please - Introducing new pets to existing ones
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Flickr friends and visitors, I need your help.
My wife and I have been talking, for some time, about adding a few new members to our family.
This discussion has been going on for about a year. For her birthday this year, she wanted to visit the local humane society to see what was there. We spent about 3 hours there and while we almost walked away with every cat they had several times, we left empty handed. Not so much because of cost or care concerns but primarily because we're not sure how it would affect Coco once the new ones are home.
We've heard some owners say that having younger animals in the house helps keep the older ones active and healthier longer. We've also heard how this can cause more stress for the existing cat and that can amplify their health and behavior.
I'm asking for your thoughts, experiences, advice and whatever else you may feel like sharing about this subject. I know each of you has a different experience and I'm looking for those varied stories to help boost our knowledge of introducing new animals to existing animals. I know none of you knows Coco personally and can only offer what you think but that is all I am asking for.
With that said, here's some background on Coco:
This photo is our current wonderful cat, Coco, laying in front of the furnace vent under a china cabinet (read: small space). A very well-behaved and loving kitty, she is 15 yrs old. We have had her since she was 6 yrs old.
She is an extremely affectionate cat who always tries to sit or lay between us whenever we're sitting down. If she can't sit between us, she sits across us. She has more than proven she is an excellent cat with adults and tolerates children very well of both sexes. We're not getting rid of her. Just think of adding to the fold. I note her behavior here to illustrate that she is both loving and tolerant (at least to humans.)
Coco is a calico cat and is the sole animal in the house. When we got our house, we received Coco and another cat as housewarming presents from family. The other cat was a doordasher and didn't stay too long. Coco was 6 and Lexus was 3. They did not get along and would not be found in the same place at the same time. Sleeping in the bed, one was at my wifes head, the other at her feet. On the couch, one was on the couch, the other was on the other end or on the floor.
Being an older cat, Coco has a few health issues. Her main one is kidney disease which our vet says is common for older cats. She also has a cataract in her left eye leaving her blind in it. While her right eye looks a bit cloudy, the eye doctor says it is ok and she has proven she can see just fine out of it.
We've taken so long discussing adding pets to the house primarily because she wants a dog in addition to a cat or two and I'm a cat person. Not much of a dog person.
So my friends, I'm asking what your thoughts are on adding cats (and possible a puppy that would grow up to be as big as an adult cat) to the family.
I come from a cat home so I know how we should introduce any new cats to Coco over time. Going slowly. I'm hoping that her mother instincts will override her possible dislike of new animals so she'll take to the kittens
However, I have no clue how adding a puppy (like I mentioned above) to an established cat household would work. So any ideas there would be great as well.
Please feel free to comment here or send me a FlickrMail. If you are a member of the "I love my cat" group, you can post your answer in the new thread I started there.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts and ideas. I am both excited and nervous to read what you think.
Posted at 4:35PM, 27 June 2008 PST
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You may want another cat, but because your cat is now 15, I think that adding another cat would be to stressful for Coco, I think she would be much happier just having you to herself. Sometimes things work out, but because of her health issues and age, my opinion I would not advice it.
I have 2 cats, I added one after 4 years, they tolerate each other but the newest youngest one (male3rs.old) does go after female (7yr.
old) . Its your decession, If you do I hope it works out for you :)
If Coco has kidney issues what do you feed her? If you switch to a grain free canned food, this will help immensly, no prescription diet is good for any cat, just causes other problems.
Just my 2 cents:)
Good Luck!
Posted 7 months ago.
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T-BO-BINA says: I have 2 cats, I added one after 4 years, they tolerate each other but the newest youngest one (male3rs.old) does go after female (7yr.
old) .
^ I did exactly the same thing and had exactly the same outcome which has never changed over many years. It's a shame as they are both such lovely and adoreable cats but they 'just' tolerate each other instead of loving each other. I get so sad about it and wish they could just cuddle up together and be more friendly instead. Also the younger male does go for the older female sometimes (but always ends up worse off for doing so), much rarer now than at first though as he learnt his lesson the long and tough way to simply leave the older female alone to herself.
P.S. I must admit our older cat is a rescue cat and I can tell used to be an outside cat, I think this is the reason she never bonded with the younegr male cat as she is very independant. I think if both cats are raised from a kitten by the owner there is much more chance of success at adding cats at different stages as they know and trust you from childhood so have more confidence that they are not being replaced or ignored.
Originally posted 7 months ago.
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xecutey edited this topic 7 months ago.
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We've added cats to our multi-cat family several times over the years. We've been lucky in that it worked out every time, though not without some initial fuss.
When you had Coco with the other cat early on, did they ever fight? Though they may not have been cuddly friends, the lack of fighting is a hopeful indicator that adding kittens might work out.
Older cats are unpredictable in their reactions to new and very young cats. We just added a a pair of brother kittens from the shelter two months ago to our five and nine year old boys. The younger lost his brother over Easter and took to the newbies with gusto, and they have a great time tearing about, playing and sleeping in a big furry pile.
Ivan (the 9 year old) has been a bit standoffish since the eldest died two years ago. Assuming the alpha kitty role is something he apparently takes seriously, as he spent the first two weeks with the new little ones in the house hissing at them, and growling at everyone else. He was clearly not pleased about it. He has mellowed some recently, and tolerates them, but it is clear they will never be play buddies or snuggle on the bed together. That is just how it is. Thankfully, it is peaceful, if not a love fest.
About dogs: I had the extraordinary good fortune to receive an assistance dog (seizure response) two and a half years ago, fully trained, socialized, and very submissive. The existing cats we had then did not take to him at all, though he deferred to them completely. In time, they all came to basically ignore him, and in the last year our five year old has tried to play with him, but he has been conditioned to be reserved around them by their behavior when he first fell into the mix.
But the kittens are a completely different story. Rufus is a 75 pound Golden Retriever, but they treat him as if he were a giant kitten, playing with him (as best they can, since he isn't actually a cat), sleeping curled up against him, and getting licked by him every time they come around seeking his attention. Unlike with our older cats, Rufus hasn't been hissed or growled at or swiped at by them (except in play), so he has reacted very differently than he did when we first got him.
Hard to say how Coco will react to a dog. If a puppy, it may be non-threatening enough that Coco will adjust, but given the cats age, that may not happen. The puppy will probably view any other cats as friends to play with, so I'd not worry about that too much - how Coco regards a puppy is what would worry me.
In the end, I'd say that adding kittens and a puppy will be a lot for Coco to adjust to - that could be very stressful for an older cat. But, you never know how it will work out. Perhaps you can add the kittens now, and the puppy later, though it would be ideal to get all the young animals together so they grow up together - they seem to get along better that way.
Posted 7 months ago.
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Thanks for your thoughts, T!
We feed Coco a mixture of Feline KD (prescription food which is suppose to be easier on her kidneys) and Fancy Feast.
We had her on dry cat food since we first got her. When she got real sick, she couldn't keep the dry food down and stopped eating it so we switched her to the KD. Then she quit eating that. So per our vet, we fed her whatever she would eat. We were feeding her met and fish and Fancy Feast. After she quit eating the Fancy Feast we combined it with the KD and that is what she is eating now.
She lost went from 8 pounds 4 yrs ago to 4 pounds and the vet said to get to eat anything. Once she get better we can get her back on the KD. Since she won't eat that by itself, we mix it with the Fancy Feast.
What is grain free? Any brand names I could look for and check out?
Posted 7 months ago.
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I don't think that you would have anything to worry about by adding another pet. I have had cats and dogs all of my life. I have introduced old cats to existing cats. I have introduced kittens to existing cats. I have introduced dogs and puppies to existing cats.
My angel, cat which is no longer with me, had lived with a Doberman( Chiquita), German Shepard(Keeton), Two Persians(Sinbad and Magellan), Tifini(one of my cats now), Tasha( my hymalian that passed last year), and a Rottwieler(Max old roomate of mines dog). She got a long with all other animals. I am not saying that she was lovey dovey but got a long. She always had priority over my lap and lived a long over wieght life with lots of other animals since she was eight years old.
I currently have Tifini which is 15, Rose(had for 3 years and she is 12), and Buddy(my Shih Tzu which is 2). I have had all three of my pets on my lap at the same time. Well thats my 2 cents worth hope it helps.
Originally posted 7 months ago.
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lmonty101 edited this topic 7 months ago.
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xecutey, I have also thought that Coco may just tolerate any new members due to her age. Losing her only cat role could make her more loving or more aloof. Shame we can't read what they're thinking and plan accordingly. It is good to know that there is some consistency with your store and T's.
Posted 7 months ago.
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I'm sure Coco would appreciate the fact that you're soliciting feedback before adding a new member to the fam. :o)
My two cents is that I think it would be worth trying to add another cat to your household, and just go slow like you've mentioned. I would be inclined to think an older cat who's been around other cats may be a better option because a kitten probably wouldn't understand boundaries like an older cat would (even one or two years old). I added an 8 month male just after Christmas and thought my 5 year old female would not be happy b/c she hasn't responded well to foster kittens before, but she and Gus LOVE each other and play all the time and he grooms her, and it's something I never expected. He does pick on my 4 year old male, but they do have times where they get along as well; Cloud will allow Gus to groom him from time to time.
As for a puppy, I would hold off until Coco has passed on, however long that may take. Try to think of it from her perspective: she's an old girl who's not in the best health right now, the last thing I would want if I was her was some crazy furball chasing me around trying to chew on me. Or try an older dog who may not be quite as playful (and for your sake you probably wouldn't have to potty train it!!). I think it's great that you've looked at the shelter; there are never enough homes for adult pets it seems; everyone always wants the puppies and kittens.
Good luck with your decision, whatever it may be!!!
Posted 7 months ago.
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I feed my cats Wellness grain free canned. My female had struvite crystals. They were on Royal Canin dry and Innova dry, not good, the RC was mostly all corn, not good for kitties. So switching to either Wellness grain free, dont give to much of the fish flavours as this is not good for their kidneys. Or you can try the Evo canned, also the regular Innova wet. Some of the fancy feast brands are ok as long as it doesnt have the gluten in it, read the lables and make sure. I highly suggest you slowly introduce her to these foods and get her off that prescription food. Vets in school do not get very much education on animal nutrition,and the education they do get is from the pet food company hills (Science diet). Some vets however do go on to get more education on nutrition, like the ones that have made these sites. There are alot of good sights out there where you can educate yourself on animal nutrition
catinfo.org is a good one and there is a forum you can go to that is very informative called itchmoforums.com I sure hope Coco feels better. I could go on and on here about diet but check out these sites and see, oh and another one is catnutrition.org
Originally posted 7 months ago.
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T-BO-BINA edited this topic 7 months ago.
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EVO by Natura is also a grain free food that we started using in our house after crystals problems with our oldest, and weigh tissues with the five year old. We thought there would be trouble transitioning the cats to new food, but they went after it in a big way. Comes in dry and canned forms.
Posted 7 months ago.
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I just checked the prescription food and it is gluten free. Does that also mean grain free? The Fancy Feast does have wheat gluten.
We've had a hard time getting Coco to eat. She has stopped several times and we got into F.F. because she would eat it. Then we added the KD back in and mix them up. She seems to be doing better now. I'll have to read up on cat nutrition as I'm obviously very lacking right now. Thanks for the enlightenment!
Posted 7 months ago.
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The prescription food has grains in it, so its not good. Also depending on which prescription you are using it may have BHT/Bha in it, also not good. Just try the different brands as stated above and see if she likes any of them, you can also sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top to entice, or a bit of Chicken or Turkey baby food, make sure there is no onions or garlic in the baby food.
Hope you find those sites informative. Some cats may do ok on dry or wet carb loaded food, obviously they have good genes, but alot of cats cant and it just causes problems. Its like not every person that smokes gets cancer, right? that person must have really good genes. Let us all know how it goes, and if you get another kitty, or puppy. :)
Posted 6 months ago.
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I wouldn't assume that coco would tolerate new members because of her age. My cat pumpkin is 16 and we just took in my friend's cat and she wasn't thrilled. It's gotten better only because pumpkin was able show her dominance to the new cat. But, I' ve read that the best way to introduce new animals is to have them meet in a neutral area, somewhere that none of the cats have been so the room hasn't been claimed yet.
Posted 6 months ago.
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Thanks Albatross. That's true. I've heard that too. It's apparently all about territory.
We have two rooms in the house that Coco has been in but we normally keep the doors closed so it's less to heat and cool. We're thinking of using the spare bedroom as the place to keep the newest members. Let them smell up the room, take them out and let Coco sniff around and see how she does. Then we would introduce them in person and see what happens. That's the idea so far. Any thoughts on how to make the intro?
Posted 6 months ago.
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every cat is different. Just because someone else's cat is ok with new cats being introduced it doesn't mean that yours will be.
I have 2 sisters who are 6 yrs old. They get along wonderfully. When they were 1yr olds I got a 6 month old feral kitten, Sweetie Pie. I socialized her separate from the others and then introduced her. She's very timid and submissive but really wanted to be friends with the other cats. Rosie was ok with her but Kitty would hiss. As Sweetie got older Kitty got more aggressive. Now Sweetie is 5 and Kitty and Rosie are 6 and poor Sweetie has never fully been accepted. Kitty has bullied her a few times and had 2 full on fights which ended in Sweetie being so stressed that she pooped herself.
On a day to day basis Sweetie steers clear of Kitty and things are calm but if Kitty's nose if out of joint she'll start something. I work from home so I can always intervene when it happens. I've considered finding Sweetie a new home but she's such a problem child that I'm not sure she would handle the stress of a learning to trust a new person very well. She sometimes still runs from me after 5 yrs.
BUT I also introduced a kitten to my old cat when he was 17 yrs old. At 1st I thought he was going to kill her but then they became friends.
It's always a gamble. Good luck on what ever you decide to do. I hope it works out for everyone.
Originally posted 6 months ago.
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Surly Bratt edited this topic 6 months ago.
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Older cats get really stressed when theres a new kitty or dog in the house. My cat was 16 when my family brought a dog in and it stressed him out so bad he'd rarely come out to eat. If you wanna really get one I say slowly introduce them, if you go out make sure there in differnt rooms and comfroable. Nothing hurts your older cats feelings more then seeing someone else move in there home. lol there so much like people. Take your kitties feelings to thought before you get a new animal. <3
Posted 6 months ago.
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if you read my story above yours this isn't always the case. My old cat was 17 and he was a bit stressed at the beginning but warmed up to the kitten rather quickly.
Proof that old and young can get along quite well
every cat is different regardless of age. You just have to try it and hope for the best.
Originally posted 6 months ago.
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Surly Bratt edited this topic 6 months ago.
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my friend introduce a very old cat to a very hyperactiv new kitty and she did it by keeping the new kitty in a cage in the cats area over days so neither could get at each other but just got use to each other over time, they ended up tolerating one another - we used the same method with our kitten and their new kitten (next door neighbours) and they will now sleep in the same bed if one or other is looking after the cats over night/ weekends.
They have now also introduced a dog using the same method - new member of family spends time in cage and also with a dog they found that having kiddy door gates on his areas meant the cat could get away from the dog if it got too much!
Now the cat sits on his high place and swipes at the dog for fun and he just wags his tail and carry on like nothings happened (the cat will rule the dog though!!!!)
Have fun!
XXX
Posted 6 months ago.
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