New Kitten?

Question

If I was to get another kitten when I have a 6 month old cat already, are the chances they won't get on well quite high? I was thinking about getting another as some fools down the road from me haven't speyed their cat and now it's pregnant. I said I'd take one if it got on well with my current cat. I have the space and time to take another. My current cat has an appointment to be speyed end of this month so once the new kittens are ready, shall I risk it or not?

Don't answer if messages will be abusive. I won't hesitate to report it as abuse. (you know who you are!)

Answer 1

There's no real way of knowing if they'll get on until you try. There are some ways of helping them along though.

1. You can buy a pheromone diffuser that plugs into a socket in your house. It's called Feliway, and you can get it from the vet. It may help your older kitten to feel relaxed and less territorial. She'll be a bit sore after being speyed, so give her some time to recovedr before introducing the new kitten.

2. Confine the new kitten to one room (or a wire pen, if you can borrow one from the vet) for the first day or so, so that they get time to recognise each others' smell. If you are using a pen, try feeding the older cat close to the pen, so she associates good things with proximity to her new friend.

3. Encourage them to play together using string/dangle toys etc. Be alert to any power plays/bullying going on.

4. Be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day. When we introduced our 3rd cat, all hell broke loose. After 2 weeks we were ready to give up and rehome the new kitten, but we stuck with in another couple of weeks and things settled down.

5. Always make sure they both have little cubby holes where they can escape from each other for a while.

6. If you use indoor litter trays, you may find they won't share and you have to get a second tray.

Good luck. Hopefully they'll be great friends for one another, and great fun for you.

Answer 2

I always find that introducing a new kitten into the flock as i call them is fine - as long as you dont leave them alone for the first few days - give them an opportunity to get to know each other - in fact the only problem i found was the new kitten trying to get out of the cat flap before she had been innoculated!!!!
My two youngest are 2 yrs (tom) and 10 months (queen) - and have never had any problems with them - in fact the tom protects her from any other cats outside!!!! my others are 10 yrs old and just let the younguns do what they like!

Answer 3

Yes, do take one of the kittens. You refer to your own cat being 'spayed' so I presume it's a female? If so, I suggest getting a male kitten - less territorial competition. Their initial interaction needs to be carefully supervised & always make sure that the new kitten has a 'bolt hole' where he can feel safe. Keep the kitten away from the cat for a few days & let both of them get used to the other being there. Use a towel/blanket to transfer each cat's scent to the other, so that they get used to that. Don't leave them alone together until you are sure that they are getting on OK. Feed them seperately. There may be fur flying, but don't worry; that generally looks a lot worse than it is. They should settle down eventually, but be prepared for it to take a while. Good luck.

Answer 4

I got a 3 month old female kitten on Dec 10th and I also have a 3 year old female cat. The first 5 or so days my 3yo was miserable - hissing, hiding, batting paws at the kitten etc. But within a week she's had calmed down. Now - a month later - they love each other. She loves the company; she's practically become a kitten again.

Answer 5

There is no general rule when it comes to getting your pet a pet. Sometimes it's a great thing, and sometimes it's not. However you mentioned your current cat is still young, so I can tell you that this is the best time to bring in a new family member. Sometimes a single cat can become bored by itself and cause mischief. It often helps to have a playmate around to grow up with and have a buddy when people friends cant be around. And kudos to you for being a responsible pet owner and getting Kitty spayed. Keep up the good work!

Answer 6

Hey! I also have a 6mth old ginger tom called Toto! And would love to get him a wee companion. But my boyfriend keeps saying no! Al keep working on him tho! I think its a great idea for u to take on another wee kitty and your other cat should have no problems accepting it as hes still very young! You should also ask your vet when u go at the end of the month to settle your mind! Good luck!!!

Answer 7

Do you think your cat would get on with another? Some cats get on fine together, however some cats are best left as singletons as it would cause too much stress to make them live with another. If you think your cat would get along with a kitten, then make all introductions gradually, and don't leave them alone together until you are certain that they get on well and the kitten can defend itself. If your cat prefers to be alone, don't force it to live with another, you could end up with spraying problems or constant fights.

Answer 8

ok, you have been extraordinarily irresponsible and did not get your cat spayed. Now, you will double that irresponsible act and supply intact kittens away. you ought to s/n them and s/n your cat. while you're actually not prepared to try this, and that i will assume you will not, then a minimum of take the kittens on your SPCA or Humane Society. they are going to probably value you a small cost to take the kittens, yet they are going to s/n them in the previous putting them. additionally they reveal screen the human beings adopting them and value them a cost. they are going to do a lots better job than you looking them solid properties.

Answer 9

I was always told it would work, but I brought home a second kitten in a similar incident, and the older cat attacked and killed the kitten while we slept. The vet said it was unusual for that to happen, but I wouldn't risk it again.

Answer 10

They would actually probably stand a better chance of getting along now when they are both young, than trying to introduce one later. Just be prepared to have to active kittens on your hands, and make sure the new kitten has a health check and its first vaccines before bringing it home.