I just brought a kitten into my home where there are two adult cats. One has received him well, but the other one doesn't like him. Will they eventually get along, or should I send the kitten back to the shelter from which he came from. The kitten is young and cute and cuddly and would definitely be adopted, but I did not expect one of our adopted cats to be so pissed off by his presence.
I do give affection to the cat who does not like the kitten, but I am wondering if he will come around and eventually like the kitten.
What is your opinion on what I should do? I Would not have to give the kitten back to the shelter, but at the same time, I would not want one of my existing cats to be uncomfortable with the new kitten. I would appreciate any experiences that you may have.
2007-10-07 17:10:53 · 7 answers · asked by Boomer 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
All cats are male and neutered.
2007-10-07 17:28:19 · update #1
In my experience it is all in the introduction of the two cats. It is best to put the new kitten in one room with a litter box and food and let your other cats have the run of the house. Let them smell each other under the door. Sit in front of the door with your old cats and pet them and tell them that this will be their friend. Also, go in the room and give your kitten love too. Keep them apart for about a week, but towards the end of the week start introducing them in small intervals to each other while you are present and mainly give the older kitties the majority of the attention. I don't think it is too late to give this a try.
2007-10-08 03:17:28 · answer #1 · answered by replexgirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 7-8 month old female. When she was 4 month old I brought home a 4 month old male for her. She didn't like him much and I had followed a slow integration process to introduce them. After two months they had settled into an uneasy truce. As long as he didn't touch her or try to groom her she tolerated him but I knew she wasn't happy. She was always on edge, never really relaxed and I saw her a lot less. Luckily a friend of mine loved the new guy so I sent him off to a better home. I thought my girl was probably destined to be an only cat.
Three weeks ago I found a 3 month old male kitten that I really liked and I thought was a lot like her. I kept them separate for almost a week but once I put them together there was only some minor problems.
Two weeks later they are best of friends and are almost always together playing or just hanging out.(I really believe in the segregation method) My other cat is relaxed, more playful, always around and very, very content.
You don't say how old your new kitten is or how long you've had her, the sex of your other cats or how the one that doesn't like him is behaving. If it's just been a few days or less than a couple weeks or so they haven't been together long enough to really know.
When I got the 2nd male kitten I put a dab of vanilla on both cats on the back between the shoulder blades and another near the tail. I don't know if this actually made the difference but it did make them smell the same. Maybe try that and see if it helps.
Here's also some really good things to know and try that could also help:
http://wvcats.com/integrating_kittens_with_cats.htm
http://www.fourpaws.org/pages/adopting_pages/introducing_cats.html
2007-10-08 00:54:15 · answer #2 · answered by gymsock 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same situation last year. One of my adult cats attacked the new kitten so fiercely-cut him up pretty bad and even I couldn't get near him for a day. I had to keep the kitten in a separate bedroom for about a month and I thought I was going to have to get rid of him because I wanted him to be safe and happy. I asked someone who had many cats and she told me to let him out while I was home and to use a squirt bottle each time the older cat tried to be aggressive. Well, it worked fine. I still kept the kitten in a separate room while I was not home but after a couple of weeks, all was fine. The kitten is acting less afraid now that he's grown a bit. Almost a year later, they play chase. I can see that the older cat is still a little jealous but all in all, they get along fine-both sleep in bed with me. It's hard but just give it some time. Whatever you do, I hope you're able to keep your kitty.
2007-10-08 00:22:16 · answer #3 · answered by abbacat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I brought 2 kittens into the home of my very anti social adult cat, while at first she didnt like them whatsoever, she did come around eventually and ended up liking them, though if they got on her nerves she would hiss at them but never hurt them.
are all your cats spayed or neutered, especially the one that isnt accepting? most of the time if theyre not it becomes a ddomiance and fighting thing, and the cat will probably never accept the kitten
just wait it out a little bit and if all else fails, unfortuantely you would have to give the kitten back.
2007-10-08 00:17:51 · answer #4 · answered by lalalove_16 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the cat that is hostile the youngest? If so then he is probably feeling like he is no longer the "baby" of the family. How did the first cat take to the 2nd? Yes, they will eventually get along. Just be sure to love all equally. I only have 2 at one time because I only have 2 hands, so I can pet them both at the same time and neither one feels neglected.
2007-10-08 01:01:03 · answer #5 · answered by nashniki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try putting the cat & kitten in seperate rooms for a while so they can just get use to each other slowly and sniff each other under the door. Just try giving them some more time to ajust.
I have had many different foster cats in and out of my home and my resedent cats have all leaned to ajust.
2007-10-08 00:45:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋