Routine changed

[Catsnquilts]

I have Annie, a 18 year old stray I brought into my home 2 years ago. She is deaf and toothless and has my entire finished basement to herself. I don’t think she would get along with my other 2 cats thus I have always kept her separate. My work schedule changed, I used to spend 90% of my day working from my home office in the basement. Now I am back in the office 8 hours a day Annie no longer gets all the time and attention she used to have. I do get up earlier and spend at least a half hour to a hour in the mornings with her ( or until she decides she’s had enough) and the same thing when I get home. I worry that she may get depressed, perhaps I should introduce her to my other 2 cats? I want to give her all the love and attention she deserves in her old age.

 

[walli]

Is there a reason that you think they won’t get along? You should go through the introducing cats article most likely rubysmama will respond with that as soon as she can, she usually does! If you can get those together, problems solved! Good luck!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

You're one step ahead, should you decide to introduce them. They are very aware of each other, and know each other's smells very well already. You could, should you choose to do so, open the door to the basement, but block it with two baby gates, stacked on top of each other, and give them a chance to "meet" with no danger of a squabble breaking out. That's a good second step. Feeding on each side of the door at the same time, starting well back from the gates, then SLOWLY moving closer as the cats become comfortable is the next step.

 

[rubysmama]

Here's the article W walli was referring to. It might be a bit more involved since she's 18 years old and deaf.

How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite

 

[Margot Lane]

Is she 100% deaf? Or kind of going deaf? I only ask if might make a difference as to how startled she might be by any kitty coming from behind. I agree w/ the others— couldn’t hurt to slowly find out if she’d like company. Please keep us posted.

 

[Catsnquilts]

No she is 100% deaf, thus my concern about my other 2 cats. She is slow on her feet, deaf and just a little old lady and is about 7lbs. My other cats re a 18lb Rocky who can be a bully at times and Tinker who is all of 6 lbs these 2 are about 11 yrs old. All these cats are strays who have found their way into my home.

 

[rubysmama]

Here's some older threads that might be helpful.

How to introduce Deaf & half blind kitten to my cats
Introducing a Deaf Cat to a Multi-Cat Household
Introducing a deaf cat to another cat.