Will my cat and new kitten get along?

[minniemoo]

Hi all, I have had a cat for 18 months and she is about 2 years old. I have just bought a Ragdoll kitten on Saturday and my other cat is hissing at her all the time. The kitten doesn't seem too bothered but I am afraid that if my cat goes for the kitten she will do her some harm. Will they eventually get on and anyone any ideas of how long it will be before they do - it's like having kids in the house !! Thanks.

[Theland1]

Hey minnie, we have four cats, the last one we got was a Ragdoll. When she arrived as a kitten, the other three spat and hissed and the Ragdoll just took herself away to a quiet corner. Once the other cats knew she wasn't a threat, they accepted her no problem. The hissing and spitting went on for a week but none of them came to any harm.
A bit like Chatterbank really, nobody gets bitten despite all of the noise!

[minniemoo]

Thanks Theland 1 - well the next week can't go fast enough I'm afraid. I'll let you know what happens.

[Theland1]

They'll be fine. I promise you.

[wolf63]

I have two siblings - they make one hell of a noise sometimes. I think that they are trying to kill each other, but they are just playing (I think). Cats are very vocal animals and things always sound worse than they really are.

I am sure that they will be best friends in a couple of weeks.

[bensmum]

They will get along I'm sure. I "fostered" a kitten briefly last year and mine hissed at him for a few days but then curiosity took over and they accepted him. Your other cat is still young enough to play with a kitten so they should be fine.

[josaphine32]

you lucky lucky person, i have always wanted a ragdoll, i am sure they will get on great....just give them time. i am so jealous but then again i have 6 cats

[andy-hughes]

Cats are territorial pack animals.

Any newcomer to the territory will be viewed with suspision for a short time - hence the hissing and general anti-social behaviour.

With some cats this can lead to a few fights, while dominance is established - obviously not in this case because your kitten is not pushing the issue, and is willing to settle in under the incumbent pack leader.

Once the older cat realises that he is still 'top cat', they will both settle and co-exist quite happily, apart from occasional hissing and spitting which all cats do, and which is part of pack behaviour.

Enjoy your new arrival, and make sur you give your older cat plenty of attention and affection so she doesn't feel pushed out.

[minniemoo]

Thanks very much to you all for taking the time to answer.

[persianlady]

When I brought my last persian home, he was 13 weeks old and very small. He came with an attitude. My other two persians who are both massive did not know what had hit them. Right from the start he strutted about, hissing and arching his back. Puffing himself up to appear bigger. The older male kept out of his way for weeks, but the older female was just too curious. She kept following him round and he kept leaping on her. he was fearless! She lost her temper with him one day and had him by the throat. I had to rescue him. It taught him a lesson and he calmed down a bit. They all got along happily after about two weeks. He is still a small cat with a BIG attitude though.