Dear Greyce,
You just wrote about my licking problem (Cat Continues to Lick Herself Bald) but said you would also give me advice about Elliot. He is another cat who may come to live in my house for a while starting sometime next month. Please let me know how to proceed.
Thanks,
Urs.
Dear Urs,
The arrival of a new cat into an existing cat household can create anxiety for both parties because it involves major changes in territory for both cats. (I am assuming that you and Elliot have not met before and/or are not used to one another's company, especially in your home.)
I suggest you look at the label to the right of this blog entry, Introducing A New Cat. Click on it and go to May I Present? Another Cat!
Since many humans do not believe that the introduction process should take as long as I recommend, urge Himself (and also his adult daughter) to read some of the other entries under that label to familiarize themselves with the various disasters that have occurred with improper introductions.
Basically keep the following in mind:
1. Go slowly - at the pace of the cat who seems to be having the most difficulty in adapting.
2. Make sure Elliot has his own room (purrhaps the bedroom where his purrson will be); it must include his food, water and his litter box. Do not locate his food and water beside his litter box. This is his safe place and this is where he should start out. You don't need to meet him immediately. In fact things will go much better if you do not.
3. If you are not using it, install that Feliway diffuser you mentioned previously, in Elliot's room to give him a sense of comfort while he gets used to his new place.
4. Follow the instructions I've outlined in that blog entry (and do have a look at the other entries as well) and you both should be fine.
Feel free to ask for more information if you need it.
Good luck!
Greyce
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