How long does it take two cats to get used to each other? help!?

Question

Have had a manx female cat for about 1 month. She is lovey and smart. We adopted a mother manx female with a kitten about 5 mo old about a week ago. The two females constantly spit and fight with each other, so we have separated them into rooms adjacent so they can smell each other. Will this help. The first female has slapped the young kitten several times also. Shall i just put them together and let them go at it to establish dominance?

Answer 1

It all depends on the cats personalities. I work at a kennel and usually when the cats first come in they're a little fussy and don't want to be around anyone. But about after 2-3 days they get a little used to it and are able to tolerate the other cats. You should just let them be around each other but supervise to make sure things don't get carried away. They may just need time to get used to each others scent. Don't push them though. Some cats are just very territorial and will just never get used to other cats.  

Answer 2

its not about time like human being the cats is the same thing

you could like someone in a second and you can like him in a year or could hate him forever so it depends

Answer 3

You are doing the right thing - let them get used to each other for a few days through the door.  Once they seem comfortable, let them out together, but don't force the issue.  The do have to set up a pecking order and decide who will be the alpha.  As long as there is no bloodshed - let them do what comes natural.  They may hiss, swat and chase.  They may wrestle and make horrible sounds - but as long as there is no blood - let them be.   Good luck with your cats!

Answer 4

This might sound weird but if you wash them with the same soap and then spray them both with the same perfume for a couple days you might have a much better chance of having them get along because they both smell the same.  

Answer 5

with cats females are the dominate s*x. so two females are going to fight alot it is hard to tell but after working at an animal shelter for 3 years and my own personal experience would say any where from 1 to 3 months

Answer 6

Mine usually adjust to a new cat in a couple of weeks with proper introductions (keep new cat in nursery for a few days and introduce slowly). But different cats may take less or more time. There is always hissing when new cats are introduced and yes, they need to be able to establish a pecking order. Interference from you will only drag out the process. I wouldn't plunk them in the floor face to face but allow them free roam of the house. The 5 month old is old enough to handle the situation without getting hurt.  In my experience, females are harder to integrate into a home with an established female but not impossible. Let them work it out on their own and make sure everyone is spayed/neutered. This will help calm things down some too. You could also try a Feliway diffuser which releases calming pheromones into the air. These have worked magic in aggressive cat situations.

Answer 7

Sometimes they just dont ever get along.I had a very jealous cat that would fight with the other cat.Mainly when its a boy and a girl cat,they will get along.It's very rare 2 females ever getting along.

Answer 8

Different cats take different times.  Just be determined.  I wouldn't just put them together without watching them - for a while anyway.  

Answer 9

I do not recommend that they have already been formally introduced after only one week. Unfortunatly, sometimes cats never get used to each other; and it is typically always the older cat that has the problems. First, seperate them. Kitten should be confined to her own place to get used to her new surroundings. Then, after a few days or how ever long it takes for the growling at the door to stop; take kitten out of her room and put the other cat in there for an hour or two. Then switch them back out. The next day you can start to bring kitten around other cat. Not to interact; but just bring kitten were other cat can see her and know and accept that she is there. After time you can slowly start to let them interact; there will be hissing and such for a while; but it should get better. I do not think that throwing them together is a good idea at all. However, I am not familar with Manx.  

Answer 10

Usually takes a few months to get used to each other. Keep them close but not alone - and let them get a little rough but not beat each other down... when the 1st cat realizes the other one is there to stay then it will ease up and take a liking to it.

Answer 11

i would  put them together. they will probably get over it. most cats get lonely by themselves. if they spend enough time together they might become friends.

Answer 12

It will take a number of days for them to tolerate beign in the same room together, and no, don't put them together and let them  fight it out. The kitten will take a h**l of a beating and probably end up really hurt.

Your best bet, because these are both female cats, is to force the introduction.   Sit down with one on your left, and the other on your right. Keep a hand on each one at all times.   If they hiss or growl at eachother, use a soothing tone, say 'no' softly, and add in some light touch with it.  

The reassurance of your attention to the older one will help her adjust, and the newer kitten will get the idea that she is equal and fits in too.  

It may take several tries at this before they settle.

Good Luck.

Answer 13

let them around each other but watch them they have to establish which is the alfa femal otherwise they will not stop fighting and if you get one or both fixed it will tame them down and help them establish dominance and don't put any perfumes on them it can mess up there nose because there sense of smell is very keen and it'll drive them crazy and lickin it off might make them sick, good luck

Answer 14

It took me 2 1/2 months for my two to get along.  

And now we are doing it again - but with a dog!

Good luck - and keep them separated if you cannot supervise them.  They could hurt each other (esp. the kitten could get hurt).