How do I introduce a new adult cat to the 2 adult cats I already have?

[Ally]

I have two indoor cats already. Boots, who is about 3-4 years old (we aren't positive because he was a stray when we adopted him), and P-Nut, who is 2.

I've been feeding and caring for a stary that lives in my apartment complex for at least 12 months now. He sleeps on my porch often, and my indoor cats have smelled his scent and also spied on him through the windows. I've talked my boyfriend into moving him inside, and my main concern is jeopardizing my relationship with P-Nut! He is a total mama's boy, spoiled little baby. He sleeps with me and follows me around everywhere, and he is very protective of me. He gets very jealous if Boots tries to get any of my attention. I love that he is my little sidekick and I don't want this transition to upset him, or change our dynamic!

Please give me any tips you can on how to move this new kitty into my home happily and safely!

 

[Julieann]

First you must take the outside cat to the vet.Get him checked for worms and fleas. Get all his necessary shots, have his nails clipped.
Then you can put the new boy in your bathroom, with a small litter box
and 2 bowls-1 for food and 1 for water.You and your boyfriend will get to visit with the cat more often that way( Make sure the lid on your toilet is always kept down..) also your indoor cats can sniff under the door and start to recognize his scent and vice versa. It does take alot of time and patience,but it is worth it!!! Dont be surprised if the outdoor cat runs and hides once he is let out of the bathroom for good. He'll be just fine...Boots and PNut will be fine too!!

 

[Lakota]

I have introduced plenty of adult cats into my household and this is how I did it.
I kept the new cat in a separate room. Sometimes it was 2 wks and others 3 wks. I spent time with them and got their smell on me. Let my other cats smell and crawl on me to get use to the new smell. I would rub towels and rags on the newcomer and place these items in differnt parts of the house. After 3-4 days I would bring the newcomer out into the hall (always supervised!!!!!!) and just set in the middle of the hall with the cat in my lap. My other cats would come in and smell and see the new cat. And yes they hissed and spit at them, but that's just natural. I would do this several times a day. As time went on I spent longer periods in the hall with the newcomer. Eventually I would would leave the door opened a crack set back and see if anyone got curious to either come out or go in. And soon the newcomer was out and about and getting to know the other cats. It's not a bed of roses. It takes work, but if done right you should have a problem. Except to have cat hisses and spits and slaps at each other. The newcomer might even dive under the couch, but after a while they will all get to know their places and soon be sleeping together. The way I have done it has never failed. But it is alot of work.
Oh, BTW, make sure you have the newcomer u-t-d with shots and wormed.
Good luck

 

[Jessy]

He and the other cats will be upset no matter what, but keep going and eventually they will get used to eachother.

 

[Laurie]

Your first action is to get the outdoor cat neutered and then bring him in. Keep him in a separate room for a few days to heal and get used the the smells in your apartment. Bring him out to be introduced to the others, Make sure that you tell your two boys how wonderful they are and give them extra attention. Don't put the new boy down, only you holding and your boyfriend holding the other, then switch until yours and there scents are passed around . Then put the new boy on the floor and watch over the group carefully. If only hissing and and occasional swipe happens for the first week or two, all will settle down. If a brawl breaks out, you will need to slow down the introduction. They will eventually accept each other but don't expect a loving relationship in just a few days.
Note: I have introduced new full grown cats to my household many times. I just bring in the new cat, pet and talk to him in front of the others so they know that I brought him in, set them down, watch closely and if they go at it, break it up until they all get the message that this is unacceptable behavior. Never once had a big fight take place.

 

[blueberry]

you could try to put their bowls together when they eat or play with all of them at the same time.