We have an only cat about a year old, and as a rescue cat I'm not sure if she's ever lived with other cats. My son will be moving soon, and wants us to keep his cat for a week during the moving process. His cat is a 2-year-old female and both our kitties are spayed, vaccinated, indoor pets (we're not concerned about health issues.)
I've read all the advice about introducing cats, and it seems like a pretty complicated process for a short term situation. A little over a year ago, my son stayed with us for a few months so his cat has been in our home although I don't know if she'd remember it, or if her scent would still remain. I suggested to my son that we confine his kitty to the bedroom he used when he was here (the room she would know best.) He seemed to think his cat would be unhappy shut up in the room and wants our cats to "play."
I'm a little stressed by the idea. Three months ago I had no cat at all, and I'm just getting used to one. Is is likely that two young adult female cats could co-exist peacefully without a lengthy introduction process? I already told my son we should swap some of the cat's bedding items so they can sniff them ahead of time, but I don't know if that will facilitate the introductions or not.
Any thoughts? What will be the worst-case scenario? Would they potentially have fights and hurt each other? If this is going to be a stressful situation, I'll just have to tell my son to board his cat rather than bring her here.
I've read all the advice about introducing cats, and it seems like a pretty complicated process for a short term situation. A little over a year ago, my son stayed with us for a few months so his cat has been in our home although I don't know if she'd remember it, or if her scent would still remain. I suggested to my son that we confine his kitty to the bedroom he used when he was here (the room she would know best.) He seemed to think his cat would be unhappy shut up in the room and wants our cats to "play."
I'm a little stressed by the idea. Three months ago I had no cat at all, and I'm just getting used to one. Is is likely that two young adult female cats could co-exist peacefully without a lengthy introduction process? I already told my son we should swap some of the cat's bedding items so they can sniff them ahead of time, but I don't know if that will facilitate the introductions or not.
Any thoughts? What will be the worst-case scenario? Would they potentially have fights and hurt each other? If this is going to be a stressful situation, I'll just have to tell my son to board his cat rather than bring her here.