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My girl friend and I are going to move in together.We each ...


Sent to Cat Experts May 17, 2006 6:04 p.m.

My girl friend and I are going to move in together.We each have a cat that has not met the other.What is the best wy to introduce the cats to each other?One is a male and the other is a female.Both have been fixed and neither has the front claws though both have the rear claws.Each is about 6-7 years of age.Thank you.......Lloyd Bradley


Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $8   
Info Request
May 17, 2006 6:07 p.m. (2 minutes and 31 seconds later)
REPLIED to Info Request Check Mark

Are you moving into a new home that neither cat has lived in or is one of you moving into one cats home. If so tell me which one and names of cats so you will know who I am talking about.

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Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri
PictureTerri Riba  -- Feline Healthcare Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 8111 Cat Accepts
20+ years in vet care experience in medicine, behavior, nutrition, holistics
7/16/2008 to 7/23/2008
Reply to Terri Riba
Sent May 17, 2006 6:10 p.m. (3 minutes and 31 seconds later)

The new house has not been seen yet by either animal.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 17, 2006 6:24 p.m. (13 minutes and 54 seconds later)
ACCEPTED Check Mark

Dear Lloyd,

Good! That is going to make things a lot easier because neither cat is going to feel invaded by the other.

Start three weeks before the move. Each of you take a cloth and rub it all over your cat. Then switch cloths and rub it on the other cat. Do this every day for the three weeks before the move. Yhat is going to get each cat used to the smell of the other. You can also swap bedding and food dishes back and forth.

When the day comes do not bring the cats in until all the furniture and items have been moved and all doors can be closed. Set the cats things like litterbox and dishes up as far apart as possible and make sure each cat has a safe spot to retreat to - like under a bed. Each day swap each cats items fo the others. They are going to check each other out from a distance. If you hear hissing - do not worry because that is how cats communicate.

Soon they will establish a pecking order - so to speak and a leader will be elected. As long as there is no aggression - just let the cats handle the rest. I promise you they will be fine.

Each of you should touch the others cat as much as possible so your scents will be mixed around and apparant to each cat.

Please let me know if you have any more questions. I will be more than happy to help in any way possible.

Warmest best wishes,

Terri



__________________
Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri
PictureTerri Riba  -- Feline Healthcare Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 8111 Cat Accepts
20+ years in vet care experience in medicine, behavior, nutrition, holistics
7/16/2008 to 7/23/2008

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