Anyone experienced in integrating a new (ill) cat into a house full of animals?

[mouth]

I have an anti social cat and a lunatic dog as well as loads of rabbits, but have ended up with a sick cat in my house. Although I'm keeping it seperate for now I need any advice on the best way to get the other animals to accept him?

The new cat was a stray I found literally in the gutter with his tongue hanging out, too weak to get up. Initially I thought he's been hit by a car and brought him home as I found him in an area where there are no houses but loads of feral cats. He's obviously been living rough for a while judging by his coat but he's not feral and uses a litter tray. Took him to vet this morning who say he's dehydrated and suffering from malnutrition, he also has a large lump on his chin which may be an abcess or may be a tumour. They're treating it with antibiotics in the hope it's an abcess.

He was chipped but to a local animal shelter who have confirmed his age as 11 but say he can't go back to his previous owner firstly because of the state he's in and also because she had other cats from them which they subsequently took back as they weren't being looked after well. So they offered me the option of them taking him back or him staying with me. If he hasn't got long I'd rather he spent it in peace in a home rather than in a cattery.

Other than keeping him locked in one room, how can I introduce my animals (all vaccinated so no danger of catching anything) to him without them attacking him? (Should point out my dog wouldnt hurt a fly in her home, she is very accepting of other animals)

[gatso]

stick it in a cage in the room with you, let the others do their thing coming up and sniffing it etc. pretty soon everyone will just chill out and accept the newbie and you can let it out. simples

[Claw75]

stick it in a cage in the room with you, let the others do their thing coming up and sniffing it etc. pretty soon everyone will just chill out and accept the newbie and you can let it out. simples

this approach seems to work quite well when i introduce new boyfriends to my family, so should be ok for the cat too imo

[mouth]

LOL I'll try it out on both then. Someone else has said the new cat should wear a bell so my old cat knows when he is coming... You going to give that one a go too?!

[Claw75]

LOL I'll try it out on both then. Someone else has said the new cat should wear a bell so my old cat knows when he is coming... You going to give that one a go too?!

never thought of that, but should be easy enough to hook one on the collar

[PocketQuadsSuited]

What about asking for advice on a cat specific forum or general pet forum. I would think that would be the best way to get the best advice. Also, the rescue should be able to offer sound advice in these type situations, as they must come across such situations on a reg basis.

Other than that, I would focus on introducing the cat & the dog first, as it sounds as if that should be easy enough. Which in turn may make other intros easier, as the other animals will sense / know the dog is accepting of the cat.

Wishing you the very best of luck & hat off to you for doing this

[smashedagain]

so your saying you've got a sick pussy, loads of rabbits and a new boy friend.
for us married people this sort of bragg is unacceptable.

[RED-DOG]

Someone else has said the new cat should wear a bell so my old cat knows when he is coming...

Also worth a try on the boyfriend IMO....

[Joobie538]

If the dog is not going to be a problem then i would follow this advice:

http://www.wikihow.com/Bring-a-Second-Cat-Into-the-Family-and-Not-Make-Your-Old-Cat-Upset

[boldie]

so your saying you've got a sick pussy, loads of rabbits and a new boy friend.
for us married people this sort of bragg is unacceptable.

 

[mouth]

If the dog is not going to be a problem then i would follow this advice:

http://www.wikihow.com/Bring-a-Second-Cat-Into-the-Family-and-Not-Make-Your-Old-Cat-Upset

Thank you, very helpful link. And thank you Jason as well.. lol.

[smashedagain]

If the dog is not going to be a problem then i would follow this advice:

http://www.wikihow.com/Bring-a-Second-Cat-Into-the-Family-and-Not-Make-Your-Old-Cat-Upset

Thank you, very helpful link. And thank you Jason as well.. lol.

just jealous and haters gonna hate

[millidonk]

if any of your cats get stuck in the wall i suggest watching this episode: