Tips on introducing kitten to cat

[tiger104]

Hi We have one female adult cat, a homely creature, so placid, thats always had the run of the house, we have now bought a new male kitten... And understandable they need to get used to one another, but our usually placid cat, is none too chuffed, with growls, hisses and not wanting to be in the same room, now i'm wondering if i've done the wrong thing ? Help !!! and tips

Is there a danger that the famale cat could harm the kitten ? we are not about to put them in the same room etc etc but I just wondered

Thanks

[LoftyLottie]

They will work it out for themselves, but not before the little one has had a couple of slaps from your older cat and been put in his place.

In my honest opinion I would not keep them in separate rooms (although I would at night initially). Let them both have the run of the house. It will take much longer if you keep them separated!! Feed them at the same time in the same room.

The less you interfere the better! Keep making a fuss of your older cat but remember she might just find herself a quiet place to hide and sulk for quite a long time.

I have introduced many cats and kittens over the years and we haven't had a disaster yet!! Just keep a watchful eye out and before you know it things will settle down. They may never be good friends but they will learn to live with each other.

[gt43]

As long as the kitten has enough space to hide or escape, and you don't leave them alone together until things have calmed down they will almost certainly tolerate each other eventually. Some people like to avoid fussing the kitten in front of the older cat and making sure the older cat gets lots of love and reassurance.

Other than that, I've heard very good things about Feliway: http://www.feliway.uk.com - which you can buy from a good vet or pet supply store (check the Web)

[tiger104]

Thanks for both of your answers, and you have both made me feel so much better, and I think you are gonna be right.

Since then, this evening, our older cat has had a few 'going out in a huff' sessions 3 or 4, only to creep back in again 5 mins later to sniff about and check out the kittens tray, and bedding etc.....and your right we have given lots of love and fuss to the older cat, but we have also let her see us stroking the older one a little...

Through the course of the evening she has also done an attention stunt and gone out in a huff and returned with a mouse (what a classic!!!!) and had us all chasing after it - but now she has been in the same room with us and the kitten (albeit the other end of the room) but she has done it, and hissing has reduced....she now seems facinated

Only to then fall sound asleep so she must be feeling a bit more relaxed...

THanks, I'm now sure she will be ok

[tiger104]

sorry just spotted my mistake, we have also let older cat see us stroking kitten a bit too......as well as plenty of our usual love and fuss.

[Brinjal]

Dont want to cast doom and gloom but my two have never gotten used to each other. The older one was only 6 months when I brought the other home and two years down the road they detest each other. They have learnt to avoid each other and if their paths cross normally greet each other with hisses and spitting.

[andy-hughes]

All the exscellent answers confirm that cats are individuals, so you never know how a combination is going to work until you try it.

It is usual for the incumbent to make more of a fuss about the new arrival, and to do a certain amount of territorial advising, whicn can include some spitting and maybe even a chase or two, but more often than not this does wear off.

I think the instances when two cats genuinely never hit it off are quite rare, and even then they are independent enough not to worry about it.

Your only issue will be if rampany bullying and harrassment persists - and this can even be the kitten on the older cat if he / she is feisty enough. If that happens, then the possibility of re-homing the new arrival has to be addressed, but again, it is unusual.

Cats are experts at making the best of what ever situation they find themselves in, and most are not keen on wars of attrition indoors.

[LoftyLottie]

Sounds as if all will be well tiger104! I am so pleased.

[richee]

They dont speak. you just put them next to each other.

Or you can have some fun.

Put the cat in the cage and spray it with a water pistol until it gets really mad. then quickly open the cage and throw in the kitten.

Hope this helps

[LoftyLottie]

Always one idiot..............................

[tiger104]

Thanks Richee

Is that what your wife does with you ?

Fair Play ! LOL