How long does it take for Kittens to adjust to one another? Read on please?!?

Question

I have a 9 week old kitten who basically ruled this house, but I used to feel bad that I'd be gone for 8 hours and he'd be by himself here, so I got a 6 week old kitten today and my 9 week old hisses at him and follows him around, basically bullying him around, and I feel really awful that I'm subjecting them both this adjustment, would you know how long it will take for them to get along?

Answer 1

I have 5 cats and I aquired them all at various times. They learn to respect each other and learn what and what not to do, pretty much all on their own. Since yours are both kittens, I would say just a few weeks and they'll be playing with each other as if they've always been together! Have fun

Answer 2

They will be sleeping together by this evening, so long as you don't interfere.
I foster kittens - usually the single and/or underweight kittens have varying ages here at one time so that they male up a "litter". There is usually a day of hissing and spitting and sometimes growling. But they settle quickly.
To help the integration, put out a totally clean litter tray. As they are kittens they can share one. Make sure you have bleached (and rinsed properly) the tray and clean litter. Then there is no dominant smell.
The six week old is a little young to have left it's mother - 8 weeks is better. But cant be helped. Make sure they have a bowl each for their dry and wet food so the bigger cant bully the other for food.

Good luck, they will settle in very well.

Answer 3

Give it time. It varies from cat to cat. But..the fact that they are kittens would speed up the time.
Your 9 week old kitten is basically telling the younger one that HE is boss..its his rules, etc...He was there first so he's telling the younger one he better respect him.

Do not get involved, or scold the older one (unless he is actually picking a fight and hurting the younger one).

In addition, pay more attention to the older kitten so that he feels that he is not being replaced or that he's not getting knocked off his pedestal because of the younger guy. I have 4 cats and they all get along famously. Its all a matter of knowing when to stay out of their working out a contract and when to intervene, which is only if somebody's getting hurt physically.

Give it time and they will work it out, no problem :)

Answer 4

All cats will do that at first. For a couple of weeks maybe. If it persists i would suggest getting a female instead of a male. Often male cats don't always get along with each other which can lead to a stressful environment and even spraying. If the bullying is that bad you should just go ahead and get a female instead. As a general rule, I have one male per household. I have four cats.

Answer 5

Always acclimate new pets to existing pets SLOWLY. That helps to assure they will learn to get along. Put the new one in a quiet room, and keep them apart for a few days, but let them smell each other's scent on you. Swap rooms, beds, toys and food dishes, so they get used to smelling each other. Then you can work up to supervised visits. When they get where they start grooming, playing together, or eating from the same dish without fighting, you're home free. But always watch, because it's not uncommon for pets to get hissy again whenever one has to go to the vet or something like that.

Answer 6

6 weeks and 9 weeks is nothing. They are young and will grow to tolerate and probably groom each other. It was smart to get a second one if you are gone all the time. They will adjust. They are very young!

Answer 7

Not to bum you out but I got a male cat first and then about 6 months later we got a girl cat. The male cat thought he was the boss. It has been 13 years that they have lived together and the still does not really like her, but he tolerates her. I think all you can do is treat them equally and hopefully they will figure it out on their own. Good luck!

Answer 8

Atleast a week or two x3