Taking home a kitten to a very old cat...

[whiskeysheri]

Hello, all! :)

As some of you may know, my friend got her new kitten on Sunday, but has just come to me and said that she can't keep him (for various different reasons). I'm pretty livid with her, but I've become quite attached to him now. I think my mum would be okay with him coming to us (already sort of asked her), but I'm really worried about my other cat, Whiskey. We have two cats already and the youngest (she's 6) I think would be fine as she's very laid back usually, but I don't know how Whiskey would react.

Whiskey is 15 and starting to really slow down and spends most of his time asleep now. He's very healthy, (as we were told when we took him to the vet a few months back), but he's starting to look his age; his fur tends to get a bit matted where he can't reach to clean his back anymore. Anyway, when we got Sheri they used to hiss and whack each other all the time, but they tolerate each other now with the occasional play-fight.

I just wondered what this would do to him at this age- I'll be devastated when he goes, so I don't want to make it happen any sooner with stress. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks. :) x x

[bensmum]

Hi whiskeysheri
I read your earlier post (and saw the photo!) and the kitten is adorable. I imagine your friend wasn't entirely prepared for the disruption they can cause.
It's difficult to say how a cat will react. I looked after a kitten I had found for about a week and my older cats reacted differently. One was curious and kept sniffing at him, the other just spat at him (they were 16 at the time). The other cat (age 8) spat at him if he got too close but then ignored him.
There will probably be hissing and spitting at first and you will need to make dsure that the old cat has places he can go where the kitten can't get at him but they will probably settle down. Also make sure that you make a lot of fuss of the older cats. Good luck

[ruthann58]

i think you will find that the older cats will put the kitten in his place and as bensmum says as long as your old boy has somewhere he can get a bit of peace and quiet they should all sort their selves out after a while the kitten will soon learn how far he can push his luck with them .good luck. ruth

[Kleiber]

I'm in the same situation at the moment - after poor Monty's death, my vet has a little black female kitten, who was knocked down by a car and has had to have one of her front legs amputated. She's so sweet and needs a home, so I've said I'll take her. She's coming home tomorrow and I expect my old cats (Romy especially) will be most put out and be horrid to her initially. They'll come round eventually, though, as they did when I first introduced Monty, Cleo and their mum to them. Good luck with the little fella! Love, K xx

[whiskeysheri]

Thank you for all your lovely answers. x

Kleiber, that's is so lovely of you. That kitten is very lucky to have you after all it's been through.

Mum has decided against taking him on, unfortunately. I've grown very attached to him, so I was probably being a bit hasty, but it really isn't fair on the other two, especially Whiskey, and the changes they'd have to put up with, such as shutting off the cat flaps so the kitten doesn't disappear.

So, just asking around now, but being quite particular as I want him to go to a good, decent home. LoftyLottie? LOL! :) x

[whiskeysheri]

Found a lovely new home for him, so will be saying goodbye at the end of next week. :( Thanks again for all your advice, guys. I'm very grateful. x x

[alfieblue]

Dear whiskeysheri - so pleased to hear that you have found
a new home for the little kit. He is such a sweet pea. Well done u. Pup n me send our best wishes. :o)xxxxx