How to introduce two cats?

[Reb Tre]

We already have a male cat who is 19 years old who can be quite grumpy at times. We want to take on by husband's relative's cat who is also male and 2 years old because of circumstances they can no longer keep the cat. I think that after time our cat will get use to having him around as he is used to dogs in the house as we have looked after relatives dogs for long amount of time (up to 8 weeks) and our cat has been fine. However my husband thinks it will be a problem. Can anyone help from experience and advise me on the best way to go about introducing the cats to each other (and persuading my husband that everything will be okay
Thanks. Our cat just sleeps all day and doesn't like much fuss from us or any visitors so do you think this will make it easier to introduce the two?

 

[Beth Kingdom]

If i were you i would keep the cat who you are introduction in a cat cage and leave it i the room but be near by just in case of aggressiveness.Then if the first cat doesn't mind the second cat being in his home let him out but pick up your cat and give him some attention so he doesn't think that you are like abandoning him then stop stocking him and see what hes like then just see how they are getting on but as i said keep a close i on them at the beginning just in case but i doubt it.Hope this helps

 

[NotBuyingIt!]

Chris and Beth both have great answers. I recently had to leave my gentle 10 year old male with a friend who has a feisty 2 year old female. We made sure that they got the scent of each other before we introduced them by rubbing a towel along the body of the cat and letting the other cat get used to the scent, one towel each cat about a week ahead of time. At first it was the usual little kitty hisses and short spurts of cat violence for about 4 days. Then it moved into a little more "Hey, I don't like you but, It looks like you are not going any where so, just watch your step!". They had separate litmassageplanetoxes and dishes. They were mostly left alone and no one was the favourite. After about a week and a half they were playing instead of fighting. I hear that they are now, after about three weeks, busom buddies.

 

[Chris Dandorous]

Honestly, it does not matter. As long as you give attention to your first cat first, feed the first cat first, and do anything good with the first cat, he wont care. But, if you forget about him, fights will be made.

 

[morve]

It will be a problem.Your 19 year old has been the only cat and therefore another cat coming onto his territory will be trouble.I speak from experience.Is there no one else who could take the cat and give it a good home.