Congratulations to you and Shania! I have three calicos who were all adopted as adults. The first two, only a couple of weeks apart, and they required little separation since the second was pretty docile. Added the third a few months later and that took longer and still there are squabbles between the first dominant one and the third one (manx calico) who also wants to rule the roost. Four years later, added a calico/Siamese. It took a month or so of her having her own bedroom complete with litterbox, toys and food/water before we would let them do anything more than sniff under the door or see her in a carrier.

Even then, it was another month or so before we would go off and leave her out with the run of the house with the others. Too many dominant personalities.

So, I definitely agree with all the advice about taking it slow and easy and introducing gradually. I would put towels on the newest one's bed and after she slept on them, move them out into various parts of the house to let the others get familiar with her smell and then would take little pieces from her litter box and put in the others' to get them used to that scent, too.

I suspect they will become firm friends after a bit and you're probably right about the first one enjoying company. Even if they don't do anything like sleep close together, I think it's healthier for them to have another living creature in the house when you're gone.

Really happy to hear of the new adoption! Good luck and happiness.

Katc

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