Hi. I recently took in a new cat. She was from a friend of mine who just recently passed away. She is a 20 lb torte and about 4 years old. I already have a 4 year old calico who is half her size. They are both females and I keep them separate because they don't seem to get along. I also have two female dogs and they seem okay with my new cat. Does anyone have advice on how to get my two felines to become friends? I keep hoping they will, but it's been about a month now and still no progress. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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I really like Pam Johnson-Bennett who has written several books on cat behavior. She fixes emotional and adjustment issues in the Texas area for vets and cat owners.

This book is specifically about your question:

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I have read two others by her, Hiss and Tell and Twisted Whiskers.
They were fantastic.

I personally use food, to defuse competition from several cats.
We had 3 spayed females, and they would get tense with each other at times. Using a special food treat when each was behaving well, worked like a charm for us. I gave each one their own treat (the others didn't like the specific one for each cat) and they learned quickly that food was plentiful and I would never let them go hungry. Oreo our black and white liked whipped cream, Sheba our very elderly cat had 2 shrimp each day, and Tippy liked chicken or turkey. I have photos of them in my profile album. They all died within 2 yrs of each other, and Sheba was 24, Tippy 20 and Oreo (who had a rare cancer) 14.
They were never BFFs, never slept together or groomed each other. But there was no strife or tension with either of them. I'd say they managed quite well.

It is much easier with introducing a kitten IMO. So do look at Pam Johnson's book. Amazon has used categories and you can save some $$ that way. I often buy books used there.

Be patient, calm and do not pay attention to poor behavior except to prevent injury. Cats will feed off your feelings...and your established cat may read your tension as fear of the new animal that she decides to protect you from! They don't know where YOUR tension is coming from and they assume it is the new cat causing it.

Good luck!

Thanks msdD. I will try to food approach and look into those books. Mine are both spayed too which I think may help a little. My calico Cali, is a picky eater and doesn't even like tuna! But she love chicken, but it has to be baked and served warm! My torte Snickers, will eat just about anything but she especially loves fish so maybe I'll try tuna for her. Thanks again and I'm sorry you lost your furry babies. I will look into your album to see them though. And I love the pitcure you have of your son's cat Tima! He's so cute! Thanks again.

Tortie girls are known for their strong personalities. They can be stubborn!

My two feral Torties (mother and daughter) are named Callie and Kit Kat. My yellow and white feral is named Snickers. So we have cats with the same names!
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I don't think my Tuxedo cat Panda would ever welcome another cat into the house. Even though she was the new girl a couple of years ago.
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I wish you lots of luck integrating the new cat but sometimes it just takes lots of time and patience. Even then they might only just tolerate each other.....never becoming close friends. Cats are funny. Girl cats are notoriously high maintenance.

Thanks Kitty. I hope someday they get along, even if it's just by tolerating each other. I thinks it is so neat that our cats have the same names! My calico is very strong willed, but my torte does have a stronger personality and presence. She likes things done her way! Thanks again for your advice. I'm going to try my best to get my girls to get along but do think it's going to take some time. They are high maintenance and spoiled rotten!

Renee, hopefully your girl kitties will work out an amicable system. I have no help to offer; my 2 cats, male and female, have openly disliked each other for over 12 years.
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Just an update. I've been trying the food approach to try to get my cats to get along a little better with each other. It seems to be helping, but I think it will take a lot of time and patience. That's ok, as long as there's progress. Thanks for all of your great advice. Take care.

Dogs are more social, tolerant, and easy going with their own ilk by nature, so I wouldn't expect any problems there; they'll definitely take their cues from their alphas.

With cats, I wouldn't try to force it. In all of the multi-cat households I've known, the cats generally work things out on their own. This is often/usually by establishing respective territories, the only problems occuring when their human "mommas/poppas" are perceived (by the cats) as "territory".

Spaying should definitely help—at least with the hormone/mating-related animosities.

I don't wish to sound pessimistic, but if they tolerate each other enough to avoid flying fur and spraying, that's pretty good.

Doc

Hi Dr. Smith, Thanks for your great advice. Luckily my cats are both spayed, so that's a good thing. I would be happy if they would just tolerate each other. I think you're right, they may never be friends, but if there's not flying fur or spraying I'll be happy! Thanks again for caring and for your great advice. I hope are doing okay and have a good night. From your friend, Renee.