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I already have one cat in the house who has been with us for almost 8 years, I recently brought in a second stray (who seems very healthy) and plan to take him to the vet for a health checkup next week. He and my other neutered male cat seem to keep their distance after introduction, but my 1st cat likes to smell the new cat's litter. I keep it clean, but I think my first cat is trying to find out the other cat's pheromones. You don't think my first cat will get sick from sniffing the other cat's litter box. I keep both cats litter boxes and food completely separate for safety measures.
I would not allow your new cat near your old cat without first having him checked out for any sickness that he might pass to your kitty. You never know what diseases a stray might have and you could be infecting your cat. Cats can be very healthy looking and have life threatening sicknesses.
I already have one cat in the house who has been with us for almost 8 years, I recently brought in a second stray (who seems very healthy) and plan to take him to the vet for a health checkup next week. He and my other neutered male cat seem to keep their distance after introduction, but my 1st cat likes to smell the new cat's litter. I keep it clean, but I think my first cat is trying to find out the other cat's pheromones. You don't think my first cat will get sick from sniffing the other cat's litter box. I keep both cats litter boxes and food completely separate for safety measures.
I doubt it. Never heard of that happening. The new cat is merely trying learn all he can about the other cat, the same way they inspect/smell any new environment they find themselves in. Scent is the main way they learn & communicate. There's nothing unusual about what the new cat is doing. Basically it's the same as sniffing each others' rear ends.
As Don 1945 said, it would have been better to quarantine the new guy until the vet check. Hopefully he has no contagious disease to pass around. Also hope you plan to neuter him asap. That could also be playing into why he's so interested in your other cat.
I would also suggest that you make sure you wash your hands after handling the new cat, until you get him checked out. There are parasites and other icky things that can be transmitted to humans from cats.
My new cat wanted to smell the resident cat's poopy too - I thought it was gross, but it's what they do.
Things can be passed in the litter box (parasites) and through saliva (FeLV and others) so it really is best if you quarantine the new one until he is checked out.
Most likely worst case scenario for not doing that is your cat getting worms or fleas but better safe that sorry.
And better to pay for one to be de-wormed than two.
But don't put new kitty down in he tests positive for FeLV - often it clears on it's own and will show negative later.
I know it's too late, but if you take in any other cats in the future, please keep them separate until you get the new one to the vet. As others have pointed out, certain viruses pass easily between cats. I am fairly paranoid about this. New cats stay in a separate place (basement or garage until seen at the vet, then in a separate room in the house if vet thinks it is OK). I wash my hands every time I touch the new cat. After a few weeks of observation, I start to gradually introduce them.
Hopefully, all is well with your new kitty and he can learn to start getting along with the other kitty. I am happy for you that they are keeping their distance! Way better than them taking a disliking to each other and fighting.
It isn't too late. Say he has worms - maybe he didn't give to resident kitty YET but at the next litter box usage he DOES.
Still best to separate, although I haven't always.
Stray kitty before last I didn't until Vet said she had ringworm (which was wrong) and told me to.
The last kitty.......yes I did separate.
Which was good because he came down with foul smelling poo which could have been giardia or something else that can be transferred.
He had wormies too.
It was good I only had to de-worm ONE cat. It's not like they ENJOY de-worming pills, lol.
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