Bit of a long one so I apologise.
We had 2 cats (one 13 male, one 4 female), lived quite happily together, easily introduced youngest to eldest as a kitten. Elder cat was PTS last November (cancer). We adopted a 6month in the New Year, having been told it was very friendly, great with other cats etc etc. After two weeks of 'through the door', 'cat in carrier' introductions we went for a 'no barrier' introduction. New cat (also female) savaged resident cat. We tried again a couple of week later but the same thing happened. I know you have to give them time to organise themselves, hierachy and all that but the attacks were vicious which left holes in resident cat. New cat was given back to original owners.
Now, we have offered to re-home a 6 year old neutered male which is coming from a multi cat home so we know he is friendly. We are going to do the two week introductions but I really want things to go smoothly and I don't want her to feel completely freaked out (it took her a while to settle after the incident with the other cat).
Any other tips would really be appreciated.
Thanks for the responses. I should add that the cats will be able to see each other fully, we have glass doors throughout downstairs but I will definitely try rotating rooms.
We had 2 cats (one 13 male, one 4 female), lived quite happily together, easily introduced youngest to eldest as a kitten. Elder cat was PTS last November (cancer). We adopted a 6month in the New Year, having been told it was very friendly, great with other cats etc etc. After two weeks of 'through the door', 'cat in carrier' introductions we went for a 'no barrier' introduction. New cat (also female) savaged resident cat. We tried again a couple of week later but the same thing happened. I know you have to give them time to organise themselves, hierachy and all that but the attacks were vicious which left holes in resident cat. New cat was given back to original owners.
Now, we have offered to re-home a 6 year old neutered male which is coming from a multi cat home so we know he is friendly. We are going to do the two week introductions but I really want things to go smoothly and I don't want her to feel completely freaked out (it took her a while to settle after the incident with the other cat).
Any other tips would really be appreciated.
Thanks for the responses. I should add that the cats will be able to see each other fully, we have glass doors throughout downstairs but I will definitely try rotating rooms.