I have a 6 year old female cat. I was thinking of getting her a friend( a kitten) what is a good way to introduce them with out stressing my other cat out?
2006-12-15 11:28:04 · 9 answers · asked by Nicole M 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I have been a veterinary technician for 27 years, this is a relatively common question. Try to keep the kitten in one room such as a bathroom during the first 24 - 48 hours. They can sniff each other under the door to introduce themselves to each other. Under your supervision, introduce the two in a room for just a few minutes at a time, then separate them. Sometimes, the pair will get along pretty quickly while others may take some time. During the first month, I recommend that you be home when they are out together. When you leave, put the new kitten in the one room. Remember to have the new kitten checked (bring the vet a stool sample from the kitten) by a veterinarian before introducing to your older kitten to prevent the older from any unforeseen illnesses. They should also have their own litter boxes during the first few weeks to prevent the older cat from getting intestinal parasites from the kitten. For further questions, you may ask Dr. John Robb by going to his website www.protectthepets.com
Good luck!
2006-12-15 11:42:50 · answer #1 · answered by PJA 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She may enjoy a male cat! Ha! OK, when I introduce a new member to the family, I hold the kitten and let the Adult smell and talk calm; "Oh, look what you got, it a baby"! Things like that. This way, if, the Adult attack I can move the kitten from harm. Normally they accept the newbie and everything go well........well, until the kitten want to play and the adult want to lay, then it a slap in the face to tell the kitten; "Go play somewhere else"! Just be aware that the Adult WILL teach the kitten, people not understand this concept with their children.
I hope the link of a picture help, I try to find one more. The second not the best example as it more play, but, it similar during Discipline, only look more aggressive. The adult's ears be more laid back when mad.
2006-12-15 11:40:55 · answer #2 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In response to the cat lady: NO WAY. Cats are different, depending on the personality. Some cats, (like mine) will not tolerate other cats at all. No matter what the circumstance.
I recommended this:
Have the cat in a closed room and hold the kitten on the other side of the door. Open the door to where they can clearly see each other. The cat will likely get upset, but just close the door until it calms down. Keep doing this until they are just curious. For a kitten, I'd just wait a few days and let the cat SEE the kitten but don't let it near it. Wait until about two or three days later until you let them near each other. Monitor them for a month before trusting them alone.
2006-12-15 11:48:09 · answer #3 · answered by Holly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a book called "Cat vs. Cat" by Pam Johnson-Bennett that has a lot on introducing cats. The main thing is you want to take it slow. Very slow. Isolate the new cat/kitten in a separate area for at least a week. NO face to face interaction between the two. Paws under the door are ok. This means a separate litter box, food and water supply for the new one. Then put new kitty in a carrier and let your current one sniff her and look at her. The cage will keep either one from getting to the other too badly. Do this for a few days fully supervised. If that seems to be going ok, then short sessions of supervised play. They probably won't like each other at first. Give it at least two weeks before you give up.
2006-12-15 11:45:38 · answer #4 · answered by Twistedsheets 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way I did it was put my kitten in a cage, one that you can clearly see in to, and put it in the living room where the other cat can come up and sniff and look + the kitten is safe and feels more secure behind the bars. I did that for about a week before I actually let the kitten out of the cage into free roaming society. It worked well for us, hopefully for you to. HOWEVER, be aware that not all felines want friends. They are so independent that in my case one of the adult cats bonded with the kitten, the other one still can't stand the sight of him...literally...she hisses every time she gets a glimpse of him and his is now 8 years old. Good Luck!
2006-12-15 11:35:32 · answer #5 · answered by Sosume 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No way a cat of that age who has had all the love, attention, food etc. to herself for six years is NOT going to be stressed by any other cat - especially a kitten with their boundless energy and pushiness. At least get a male kitten (two if you can). Females have a particularly hard time accepting another female into their midst.
2006-12-15 11:36:33 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we just did this to our 11 yr old cat. just put the kitten on the floor, but not real close to the adult cat. i've done it this way in the past. it will take a little while, usually a day or two. until they are friends, don't leave the kitten with the big cat.
2006-12-15 11:42:17 · answer #7 · answered by chapes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always just let the kitten roam and my other cats would obsrve and when they felt like it they'd go over and slap her but I know it's only because they are showing her who the boss is of the house by a day or two they get use to her/him and are fine with the situation
2006-12-15 12:32:48 · answer #8 · answered by cutiepie81289 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most cats are very friendly with kittens and will take good care of them, such as licking them to keep them clean. I don't know much about introducing them to each other because the ones I have had took up with each other to the point of cuddling up to each other when they go to sleep.
2006-12-15 11:41:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋