adopting number 2

[Tonysweetie]

Were adopting!!! DH and I decided Max need's a sister. We adopted Max (our kitty) back in June, he's 1 year old. He's such a joy to have and we want a girl now. We found a little cutie at the SPCA by our house and were adopting her tomorrow. I'm a little worried how Max will react to the new addition. Will be get upset? Jealous? The new kitty will be 4.5 months old so she will be on kitten food. How can I feed them seperate foods. Max is on Purina Sensitive system food. We free feed him. I don't want him eating the kitten food. Shoudl I put them both on a schedule. Also what size litterbox should I get. Right now Max is using a single kitty hooded box. Should I get a bigger one or just another one to put in anotherroom in our apartment. TIA!!! Were soooo excited!!!

[ShelbyMay]

How exciting! I don't want to put a damper on things, but please proceed with a little bit of caution. It sounds like you are willing to do whatever it takes to ease the 2 cats into the transition, and that is great. Maybe do a google search for help on introducing a new cat into your household. I know that we rushed thing when introducing our 3rd cat into our home, and we've had problems ever since. I always wonder if we could have prevented the problems by keeping the cats separate longer and gradually introducing them to one another.

As for the litterboxes, definitely get an additional one instead of one big box.

[Tonysweetie]

Thanks for the advice ShelbyMay. I'm about to head to Wal-Mart to get the new stuff. I'm beyond excited, lol. I think we'll keep the new one in the bathroom for a while and gradually introduce them to each other. Only let them be with each other during supervision for a bit. I googled about litter box and your right I need a 2nd box so it's on my list.

[fuzzy]

Yup, keep cat #2 separated for at least a few days after she's been given a full vet exam and is deemed healthy. I always quarantine for at least a week, bringing blankets, toys etc back and forth between the cats so they can smell each other.

If your cats are anything like mine, they'll fight like bloody hell. Supervise, but intervene minimally. They need to work it out.

Def. get another box. The rule of thunb with multiple cats is one box per cat, plus an extar one (we have four cats and five boxes).

I kept the kitten food in my kitten's quarantine room. I let my adult cats graze on her food a bit, just so they knew what was there. I'm not sure if Max can tolerate kitten food or not. If not, make sure you feed them in separate rooms.

[Tonysweetie]

Yup, keep cat #2 separated for at least a few days after she's been given a full vet exam and is deemed healthy. I always quarantine for at least a week, bringing blankets, toys etc back and forth between the cats so they can smell each other.

If your cats are anything like mine, they'll fight like bloody hell. Supervise, but intervene minimally. They need to work it out.

Def. get another box. The rule of thunb with multiple cats is one box per cat, plus an extar one (we have four cats and five boxes).

I kept the kitten food in my kitten's quarantine room. I let my adult cats graze on her food a bit, just so they knew what was there. I'm not sure if Max can tolerate kitten food or not. If not, make sure you feed them in separate rooms.

Thanks fuzzy! I really hope all this w orks out. I'm really nervous how Max will react. He's been the only one since June. We do take him over to MIL house a lot so he does see and play with our kitties a lot but this will be a first in his place ya know? Thanks for all the advice! :)

[ShelbyMay]

I bet Max will be fine, as long as you give him the attention that he is used to. It will likely help matters that you are adopting a girl cat, as she will be less likely to challenge Max for dominance in the household. Is she smaller and younger than Max, too? Those would both help.

[Tonysweetie]

Yes she is 4.5 months old and Max is just over a year old.

[ShelbyMay]

Oh, good -- I'd say just make sure you reassure him that he is still "top cat" and everything will be fine. :)

[greenbunny]

Our vet said to quarantine for two weeks to rule out upper respiratory infection (common in shelter cats).

As fuzzy said, let them exchange scent through trading bedding or towels to lay on.

Kitten food is VERY high in calories to meet a growing kitten's needs, and I definitely would not let a neutered adult male eat it, they gain weight easily as it is. Feed her in quarantine, and once you let her out, still shut her off for individual feedings.

If you can feed them separately, but at the time time where they can see each other, supposedly they find that reassuring since food = good. DH and I feed the girls on opposite sides of a French door.