My family has owned our cat Dakota for a year now, but recently my friend was trying to save a litter of kittens from the pound and we took one in. It's a 2 mo old male kitten, and I'm not sure if the fact that their both male is going to make the 'bonding' process harder. I am clueless as to how to make this work at the current time, any input would be most appreciated.
2006-08-01 07:11:28 · 10 answers · asked by katori_of_doom 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Housecats, even though they've been domesticated for thousands of years, still have a very primal urge to be territorial. That's why you will see your cat(s) rubbing on you, your furniture, basically anything around the house. They still have strong scent glands, primary ones located along the sides of the face, in the mouth, and the ever pungent "spray" that unfixed males love to leave on things. They are simply marking their territory with these scent glands.
Therefore, when another cat is introduced, the dominant cat will feel that their territory has been invaded by a potential rival. You'll notice your older cat going through these marking rituals more often now. And if he's not neutered, be prepared for the "spray," or if he is neutered, he may still urinate on things. This is one of his main warnings to the new kitten that he runs the show around there.
Luckily, these territorial instincts aren't anywhere near as strong as larger, wild cats. After a length of time, your older cat will succumb to the fact that the new kitten isn't going anywhere. And if he's going as far as the spraying or urinating, that will stop also. They'll become used to each other's scents and accept them as a new part of the territory.
Now you don't want to just put them together and wait it out. You want to gradually get them acquainted. If you can have some help from someone else that the older cat is familiar with. Wherever the older cat is, go to him, have you or someone the cat knows pet him, talk to him, and keep him somewhat where he is. Don't pin him down, but don't let him run or get to a point where he can swat. While still petting and talking to him, hold the kitten a couple of feet away to where he can see the kitten and get a little bit off a whiff of the newer scent. Most likely the older cat will hiss and growl, but just try to keep him calm with the petting. Gradually bring the kitten closer if the older one isn't throwing an absolute cat tantrum. He'll still hiss and growl, but if it stays constant, keep moving the kitten closer.
The first few times you do this, the older one will most likely throw a fit, swat at the kitten, and run. That's normal. The more you do this, though, the older cat will start getting used to the newer scent and you'll be able to get the kitten closer each time. They'll get to a point where they'll still be on edge, but they'll be able to sniff at each others faces without and all out swat frenzy.
Another thing to help speed along getting the older cat used to the newer smell would be to have the older cat away from his favorite place in the house and let the kitten roam that area. If it's the older cat's little bed in the corner of the living room, let the kitten crawl on it. It will start getting those scents spread around the places that your older cat frequents and being the creatures of habit that they are, he won't avoid his favorite places and he'll have to smell the kitten's scent there.
After about 2 weeks, they'll be able to tolerate each other enough to roam near each other without too much fighting. After roughly a month, they'll start to like each other and bond. After 2 months, they'll be searching each other out in the house to get into some mischief together.
2006-08-01 07:45:50 · answer #1 · answered by sashi 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Prepare in advance a room for the new kitten; make sure there are food and water as well as a sand box.
When you bring the kitten put him straight in the room. You should leave him there for about two weeks, make sure to go in everyday to play with him.
Each time you leave the room let your cat smell you.
Another thing to do: take two towels rub one on the new kitten and put it under the bowels of the older cat and visa versa.
Re-rub the towels every couple of day.
After two weeks put the kitten in a carrier and take him to the living room let your cat see him and smell him they may both hiss do that for 10 minutes each day add 10 more minutes do that for about two weeks or for when they will stop hissing at each other what ever comes first. To make them feel more at ease give them both cat treats and some cat canned food.
After two weeks let the kitten go free while your at home keep a close eye of them make sure the older one isn’t trying to hurt the new. Once you’re sure the old one won’t hard the new one let the kitten run free.
It will take some more time they might not end up being good friends.
2006-08-01 09:38:30 · answer #2 · answered by hot_for_georgeclooney 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We just went threw this. We have 2 older females cats in the house. Someone dropped off a kitten out by are garage and we brought her into the house. Well let me tell you the older ones threw a fit. That little kitten ruled the coop. It has been about 2 months and they all get along well. They play together. Just give it time. They will come around. Normally it does not take much longer than a week. You need to make sure that you keep an eye on them to make sure no one is to mean. Good Luck!!!
2006-08-01 08:32:02 · answer #3 · answered by Wilma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The female cat is going to have concerns about dominance. Two males is a good choice, or a female and a male. So I think you have a good combination there.
A 2 month old kitten is SO rambunctious! Here is your other cat, he is grown up, had the house to himself for a year, has a great relationship with you and along comes this holy terror. Even doting grandmothers can be perturbed by a two-year old.
That's the situation.
Try playing with them together with a feather toy or a cat dancer every day. Playing will help them form a bond with one another.
It's true that they may not become bosom budies and they may. They will work things out.
Be sure that the older cat has some special time with you every day without the kitten's presence.
As always with cats, patience is the key.
2006-08-01 07:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is going to be hard because the older cat will feel that the kitten is tiring to take over his domain get the kitten fixed before it is eight months old or there will be hell in your home until one of the cats is ether dead or hurt badly. male cats and kittens don't mix well. and also they may get along after the kitten is fixed but make sure you put the kitten into an other room while you are gone. My male cat tired to hurt his son when he was only six weeks old. so keep an eye on your older cat.
2006-08-01 07:22:47 · answer #5 · answered by wolf 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat's are solitary and don't adjust well to new cats being brought into their territory. Eventually they'll learn to tolerate each other, but that's as far as it may go. The fact that the older one is male is a factor here. Female cats have been known to "adopt" a new kitten that is brought in to the house, but male cats don't have any nrturing instincts. They'll get used to each other, but they'll probably never be "friends".
2006-08-01 07:17:37 · answer #6 · answered by Entwined 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will take your cat a while to get use to the kitten and dont expect a buddy buddy relationship but they will learn 2 live with each other
2006-08-01 07:17:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd just let them meet, You don't want them to get into a big fight and the younger one get hurt so just let them meet
2006-08-01 07:46:22 · answer #8 · answered by just-a-hunny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if u have a cage put them together if they are mad ignore them the will get used to being together or train them 2gether
2006-08-01 07:17:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they will work things out on their own.
2006-08-01 07:19:00 · answer #10 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋