Clueless and out of my comfort zone!

addictedtolush

Hey guys and girls, please be gentle with me, its my first thread (answered a few but never posted!). Basically I have a 1 year old golden retriever and a 2 year old male neutered cat. Have had both from kitten/puppy. Anyway last Saturday we got 2 new cats, they are both neutered females (ages 7 and 3, mother and daughter) and are used to other dogs and cats. They were going to be given to the RSPCA as they couldnt find homes and after a vet check they are healthy so we decided to go ahead, dont like the thought of happy home cats going to the RSPCA. Me probably being very naive thought they would meet our cat, have a few fights and find their way around. But no.....we have put them in our room with food, litter etc and kept swapping smells between them and our male cat for a few days. They all met Wednesday, my male cat was 'ok whatever new cats, who cares' and didnt seem bothered and there was a one growl and hiss from the new females and thats it. They arent fighting or best pals, just getting on with it which is a pleasant suprise and I am happy with that. Was expecting worse.......although am not counting my chickens just yet!! Anyway my 'issue' is that the new cats wont leave upstairs. I assumed they would want a sniff around but they have my room and the landing as their access and of course downstairs but they wont even contemplate coming onto the stairs or coming downstairs. I have had them near enough a week now and they still wont come any further. Basically I have just thought that this was fine as they are still new and settling in and it must be very scary for them but was wondering if you agree with this or whether you think I should be doing something to help them to come downstairs. They are happy upstairs but I am aware they have had the run of the house before as well as being outdoor cats so worry abit. My instinct is just to let them find their own way but would appreciate your thoughts......have had some people say 'yes leave them to it' and some saying 'bring them down and see what happens'. My main concern is that I am new, as is our house and I dont want to scare them further by just whacking them in my living room! Thanks for reading my very long post, I would just like my animals to have happy lives and I am a worry wort! Nicky xx

Paparika

Perhaps putting their food bowl nearer and nearer the stairs and slowly day by day down the stairs?

frugallass

Paparika sums it up perfectly - it's a simple but effective solution - good luck !

addictedtolush

Thanks hun, I may give that a try although my existing male cat eats on the stairs (so my hunger driven goldie doesnt eat it) but could find somewhere else for him to eat, do you think that would be ok or do you think I should try and keep everything the same for my existing cat? Jesus, I must sound like a right silly lady, I did lots of research about introducing the new cats as thought that would be my main 'problem' so am a bit clueless with their behaviour! Sorry! x

elsien

What about those cat pheromone thingies you can get - think I've read somewhere that they can be quite useful as well?

addictedtolush

I think I am just over analysing and trying to make sure everyone settles in, not just new cats but existing pets. I will move my existing cats bowls and use their food to bring them down slowly. Thanks for the advice, sorry for my complete lack of thinking properly, just a bit overwhelmed with everyone adjusting to them and them adjusting to us.

addictedtolush

elsien wrote: »

What about those cat pheromone thingies you can get - think I've read somewhere that they can be quite useful as well?

Thanks very much for your reply hun, have already got them around the house. I had some leftover from when we got our dog (think our cat is starting to wonder when we will stop getting new pets!). Sorry I should have mentioned that in my first post....went off on a bit of a tangent! Thanks for your advice though, much appreciated

Sagz_2

Hi Nicky

I'm not sure there is a right or a wrong answer here: all cats and all situations are different.

I think you've done really well introducing them to their new 'family' in such a short time, it would seem that you've managed to keep everyone happy and thats not always easy with cats!

My own opinion would be to leave them to it, let them find their own way downstairs in their own time. It would seem a shame to spoil such a good start by rushing things and taking them downstairs before they were ready.

Let us know how you get on
x

addictedtolush

Norbertsmum wrote: »

Hi Nicky

I'm not sure there is a right or a wrong answer here: all cats and all situations are different.

I think you've done really well introducing them to their new 'family' in such a short time, it would seem that you've managed to keep everyone happy and thats not always easy with cats!

My own opinion would be to leave them to it, let them find their own way downstairs in their own time. It would seem a shame to spoil such a good start by rushing things and taking them downstairs before they were ready.

Let us know how you get on
x

Thank you very much for your post, you have made me feel better! I am not really used to 'not knowing what to do' with my pets, my dog is happy with her walk, being fed and getting alot of hugs and my cat is happy with being let out, the occasional stroke and being fed. Its obviously because I have had them since they were tiny and I know everything about them and their personalities so this is all a bit strange and as they cant talk it makes it harder! As you say all cats and situations are different but it has been really interesting reading other peoples opinions. Sometimes you can be so involved in the situation you just need so outsiders views. My main thing is I just wanted to see if other people were thinking I was doing something dreadfully wrong so I appreciate the views of you and the other posters and I can see that maybe I am not doing such a bad job! Thanks to you and the other posters for taking the time to read and post, I really do appreciate it. I think I may leave it the weekend as my son is away and that makes the house a whole lot quieter and see whether they decide to pop down with it being so quiet. If by Monday they still are the same with no progress then I will look at a little light encouragment. Thanks again! xx

whatatwit

Are you sure that they aren't sneaking down when you are out?
My cat curls up on the bed with my husband, as soon as he hears my car pull up, he shoots off the bed and sits in the hall looking rather dazed. (that's the cat, not OH).

I suppose though I do the same, it's amazing how I'm always washing up when OH gets home, although MSE is usually on the lappy in the kitchen.

addictedtolush

Hmm I didnt think of that, you could be right. I hope that is what they are doing.......for all I know as soon as I go out (which has only been for 2 hours a day this week as I work from home and my son has been poorly) they could be running round the house like lunatics.......now where is cctv when you need it!