2006-12-20 01:16:01 · 22 answers · asked by Michelle M 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi Michelle...an 18 year old cat may not likely take to having a rambunctious kitten climbing all over your cat may be more detrimental than helpful, and people have a tendency to focus on the young cat and ignore the older one. Senior cats are very set in their ways and it would be more honourable to allow her to live out her days with the comfort and routine she/he is already accustomed to having.
Please see section "keep her kitten-free and playful"
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/news/older.htm
2006-12-20 01:21:21 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
We introduced a kitten to our older cat and yes there were lots of battles between them and im sure the kitten irritated the hell out of the older cat at times. However with the right treatment and time they actually grew to first tolerate each other and then actually get on. In fact the kitten made the older cat more active and they would often be found together either outside or sat together when inside. If nothing else it is company for the older cat and often brings out paternal instincts.
2006-12-21 01:26:30 · answer #2 · answered by h2o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you might be better off adopting a pair of kittens, preferably from the same litter. That way, the kittens can keep each other company and play with each other, and leave the senior alone when she doesn't want to play. If not, the kitten will probably want to play with the older cat all day long, and won't realize that she gets worn out much easier.
2006-12-20 01:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by JDH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! 18 is pretty old for a cat!
It really depends on the cat and kitten in question. Some cats prefer to be only kitties. Others don't mind having little scamps to play with.
2006-12-20 02:02:13 · answer #4 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the temperment of your older cat. they'll go through the dominance battles, that's a given. kittens will always want to PLAY PLAY PLAY and it may irritate your older cat.
if you do get the kitten, keep it in it's own room for a few days so that it feels it has a territory. then slowly introduce your kitties to each other. the older cat, no matter how much he protests, probably won't kill the kitten, but he'll let it know who's boss and see how it goes from there.
2006-12-20 01:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by nepherym 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a 14yr old male cat and i got a kitten, they tolerate each other most of the time but when the kitten is feeling playful he will pounce on the older one which would be like a teenager jumping all over an old man, not very nice, but kittens are irressidable.
2006-12-23 03:05:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bad. Your cat will be mad that you brought someone into her house. Your cat will beat the crap out of the kitten. Your cat will ruin your things and pee all over your house. If you can deal with this for a couple months, it might work. GOod luck.
2006-12-20 01:29:32 · answer #7 · answered by meggus31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you introduce them gradually, the kitten should have no problems adjusting, the older cat may take a week or so but if you let it have it's space and adjust slowly to the idea, they are usually just fine.
2006-12-20 01:22:19 · answer #8 · answered by hatescreenames 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should have waited and let your old cat live out its last while in peace.It's like putting a toddler to live with an 80year old it isn't fair.I have 3 elderly cats and wouldn't get a kitten while they are still alive better to get an older cat that isn't so boisterous.
2006-12-20 09:26:50 · answer #9 · answered by sanny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good idea. I ended up getting my 2-year-old tomkat a little girl kitten so he could be entertained when my husband and I weren't home. At first he was a little teritorrial, but once he realized that she wasn't a threat, he was fine with it. Now their the best of friends!
2006-12-20 02:14:08 · answer #10 · answered by amandacarleski 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋