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how long does it take for a kitten to be accepted by an adult cat
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i have recently introduced a kitten into the household, and my resident cat of 4 years, isn't too impressed.
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It depends!
Our female cat was about 12 when our male kitten arrived; she was not amused!! We made it clear that he lived with us and she was not to spit at him and after about a couple of months there was a truce of sorts.
They never became friends but once he got past the stage of wanting to play with her tail etc there were no confrontations. Your younger cat may well accept the kitten more readily.
Our female cat was about 12 when our male kitten arrived; she was not amused!! We made it clear that he lived with us and she was not to spit at him and after about a couple of months there was a truce of sorts.
They never became friends but once he got past the stage of wanting to play with her tail etc there were no confrontations. Your younger cat may well accept the kitten more readily.
It will depend on the sex of the cat and kitten. There is a clear pecking order, which can be difficult if it is upset.
Intact female
Spayed female
Uneutered tom
Neutered tom.
If your kitten has come in above the cat in pecking order, you will have problems. As soon as your kitten is old enough, it may help to have it spayed/neutered.
It will also help if you encourage your kitten to adopt a piece of territory of its own- so if your cat likes to spend time in the living room, encourage the kitten to adopt somewhere different.
Intact female
Spayed female
Uneutered tom
Neutered tom.
If your kitten has come in above the cat in pecking order, you will have problems. As soon as your kitten is old enough, it may help to have it spayed/neutered.
It will also help if you encourage your kitten to adopt a piece of territory of its own- so if your cat likes to spend time in the living room, encourage the kitten to adopt somewhere different.
Kira's advice is sound.
Cats are both hierarchical and territorial, hence the hosility from your incumbent cat.
A cat's natural reaction is to defend its territory if a new cat apears. They either work it out and learn to get on, or at least to tolerate each other, or they can become 'family' and get on well, apart from the occasional spat to which all cats are prone.
When your kitten grows to adulthood, be aware it may challenge for the 'top cat' spot - again they usually sort it out, but if your senior cat is too old to put up a defence, some bullying may set in.
It is highly unsual for cats not to settle, although how long it takes depends on them.
Best thing is to fuss your senior cat more than junior, and make sure they have their own spaces to retire to if the going gets rough.
Cats are both hierarchical and territorial, hence the hosility from your incumbent cat.
A cat's natural reaction is to defend its territory if a new cat apears. They either work it out and learn to get on, or at least to tolerate each other, or they can become 'family' and get on well, apart from the occasional spat to which all cats are prone.
When your kitten grows to adulthood, be aware it may challenge for the 'top cat' spot - again they usually sort it out, but if your senior cat is too old to put up a defence, some bullying may set in.
It is highly unsual for cats not to settle, although how long it takes depends on them.
Best thing is to fuss your senior cat more than junior, and make sure they have their own spaces to retire to if the going gets rough.
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