Introducing 13 year old Neutered male to 9 year old neutered male (CATS)?

[JessieV]

Ok. So I have a 13 year old Blue Point Himalayan named Yeti- he's the typical laid back Blue Point, purrs non-stop, overly tolerant to playful abuse from children, and he basically wouldn't even care if you punched him in the face. He'd probably purr, haha. Anyway, I'm thinking about adopting a 9 year old male Tabby named Toby- both are neutered, and Yeti is, unfortunately, de-clawed- I know Toby because I had a relationship with his previous owner- both cats have had homes since 6-8 weeks old- Yeti with my family, Toby with his- both have similar personalities, they both tend to want to hide if someones around or something new is happening, although Yeti is a little more outgoing. Right now Toby's at the local Human Society, so hes getting more used to cats, while Yeti on the other hand, has never really lived with other cats. He's been around them for short periods of time and never fought though.

The last time Yeti was around another cat was a few months ago when, because of certain circumstances- we had to have my brothers cat, Blaze, stay at our house for a few hours. Yeti wasn't that bad, he made sure to stay close- within at least 5 feet of him the whole time- and only started hissing if he got within a foot of him, but otherwise seemed calm, he turned his back to him a few times and didn't seem to pay him any mind, unless he got too close.

Now Im wondering if ill have better luck because Yeti is a a Blue point and generally a more laid back kind of cat, but I need to know if anyone out there has had a similar experience, and advice would be greatly appreciated.
P.S.- I've been looking at ways to introduce cats to each other, so I think I have what to do down, I just want to know if under the circumstances, I would have better, or worse luck.

Also I still live at home, so the choice is ultimately up to my mother, so I'm trying to gather as much evidence to support this as possible because she can be.. difficult.
I am an animal lover and take care of Yeti and am volunteering at the Humane Society, so I do know what I'm doing for the most part, I just want to make sure that if this does happen, It won't have negative affects on either cat. Or the household.
I think being neutered makes a difference. Lowers aggression and testosterone.
I know Yeti's laid back, but Toby might be a little more uptight, but I'm thinking that since he'd be the one in a new place and in a other cat's territory that he might be a little less aggressive, but I'm not sure. He still hisses at some of the cats at the Humane Society if they get too close, but I don't thing he's been extremely aggressive. Plus I'm hoping that the fact that both cats are a little older might make them easier than young male cats... But I'm worried that it might also make getting used to the whole situation a little worse. They might turn out to be two stubborn old men, but I don't know.

 

[Whortleberry]

Take a look at DearTabbyTheAnswerCat.com. They have an excellent article in "Cat Care" on "How to Introduce the New Kitten/Cat to Your Cat." Helpful!

 

[Krista Wiechmann]

It's not a bad idea, although being neutered has no effect on behavior. Just let them sniff out each other's space first. And hold them about a foot from each other at all times until they seem less frantic. (Bushy tail, low growl, arched back, etc.)

 

[Xander]

Seems to me like you won't have a terribly difficult time introducing them, overall. Just take it slow, and absolutely do NOT force them into a situation they don't like, EVER. Nothing turns a cat off more than being forced to do something they don't want to do.
Holding them near each other will only get them more and more agitated, and they can turn violent. Violent cats are never a fun thing to be around.

Nah, instead, just let them have free range. If they get too close to each other and it looks like one will get angry, separate them. They will get acquainted with each other's smells quickly enough, and though there will be jealousy (probably for several months, even) and batting/swatting at each other, they will come to terms with each other. They just have to make their pecking order.

Again, I don't think you'll have too much of a problem, if their temperaments are as laid back as you claim.

Also, yes, neutering makes a HUGE difference. A marking, territorial cat will not accept new competition quite nearly as well as an altered one.