How To Introduce Male Cats

[DandysMum]

What is the best way to introduce a new male cat to our other boy? We are getting the new one neutered and ours already is.

 

[jen]

The new one should be separated until neutered and UTD on vaccines and tested for FIV/FeLV. Then it really just depends on the cats. You can let them eat food on either side of the door that the new cat is being kept in. Swap things they lay on so they get to know each others smells. When you are ready open the door and let them interact.

Remember hissing and growling are fine and should not be stopped. This is how they communicate. How they learn each others boundaries, etc. Obviously if it escalates to bloodshed or severe behavior changes in one of them then you need to step back and separate them again. At that point there are other ways to go about it but we will deal with that if it happens.

Make sure there are escape routes for them to get away from each other, including places for one cat to climb up to get away. Also when you first let them meet, give them some time and then give them a break with the new cat back in the room it was contained in. I also like to have a laser pointer handy because that can be an easy distraction if there is some escalation in their behavior towards the negative and you want to take their focus off one another.

 

[duncanmac]

What are their ages?

We introduced a neutered male to a resident unneutered kitten (he was too young and was neutered after a week or two) and the kitten was very territorial. It didn't help that the new guy was a little shy. After some posturing and a small fight or two, and about 6 weeks, we could leave them alone together overnight and when we went to work. Only had to keep them totally separate for about 3 weeks.

Neutered males are surprisingly easy going. Search around this site, or someone will post the link for the "ultimate guide to introducing cats" Follow the guide, follow your cats' lead and follow your gut - you should be fine.

 

[DandysMum]

What are their ages?

We introduced a neutered male to a resident unneutered kitten (he was too young and was neutered after a week or two) and the kitten was very territorial. It didn't help that the new guy was a little shy. After some posturing and a small fight or two, and about 6 weeks, we could leave them alone together overnight and when we went to work. Only had to keep them totally separate for about 3 weeks.

Neutered males are surprisingly easy going. Search around this site, or someone will post the link for the "ultimate guide to introducing cats" Follow the guide, follow your cats' lead and follow your gut - you should be fine.

My boy is almost 10 months and the new one we aren’t exactly sure. He was a stray that we’re taking in. From the looks of it he could be 1-2 years old.
It may help that they will only be seeing each other on the weekends (once he’s been neutered and vaxed) for a few months before completely merging.

 

[rubysmama]

Is it not possible to keep them totally separate until you are ready to move the new kitty in. Cat introductions need to be slow and thorough to ensure the best chance that the cats will get along, and generally don't happen in 2 days, so the weekend visits could just turn into weekly aggressive sessions between the cats.

Here's some TCS articles with more info on cat introductions.

How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Introducing Cats To Cats
How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat (this is more for when bringing a younger kitten into the home with an adult cat)
How To Fix An Unsuccessful Cat Introduction
The Multi-cat Household

How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home

How To Deal With Non-recognition Aggression In Cats (this could happen with repeated introduction/separations)