How do I get my new kitten and my older kitten to get along?

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  • 2 September, 2008 at 10:32 pm #19914
    radicalrach
    Participant

    I got my first kitten (allie) 3 weeks before my second kitten (jasmine),whome i just brought home last night. I got them both from the same foster mother and they used to live together and got along great. Now it seems they have forgotten eachother.

    My older kitten tries to play and jump on her but the new one is about 3lbs smaller and she hisses and runs from her.She doesnt seem to want to have anything to do with allie.

    I let them spend about five minutes or so together a couple times a day and they can see eachother through a crack in the bottom of a door, but is there anything I can do to speed up the process?

    2 September, 2008 at 10:58 pm #280687
    TheKnittingNinja
    Participant

    no let them take thier time. When I brought my two kittens home they were terrified of dogs and it took about a month but they now will walk through the dogs legs and cuddle up with them.

    2 September, 2008 at 10:58 pm #280688
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    I’m not an expert… others with more knowledge will be along shortly. From waht I can tell you is: Patience! and more patience.

    3 September, 2008 at 2:07 am #280689
    petpntr
    Participant

    I think you are doing it correctly. Take your time. The biggest challenge for introducing new cats, is having patience yourself. Not only are they able to see each other through the crack in the door but they are also getting used to each other in a safe environment. You can mix a little used litter from each box into the other kitties litter. It helps them get used to the scent of the other one. Also take a sock, put it on your hand and rub one kitty at a time, making sure you give it a real good rub down. They will probably like it. Be sure to rub around the mouth because that’s where their glands are. Then take the sock and rub it all over the other kitty and visa versa. That too helps them get used to the scent of the other. For an even better result, put a drop of vanella extract at the base of each tail before they visit. You can also have a toy (string or something) and put one end in front of each kitty. Then you shorten the length. Before they know it they are playing together.

    I wrote an article about introducing a new kitty to a household cat. I will look for it and post it on my website for you. I need to look it up and post it but will write back to let you know when it is done.

    Lynn

    http://www.tributememorial.net

    3 September, 2008 at 2:25 am #280690
    petpntr
    Participant

    I can’t find the article I was referring to but you have some starters for the time being. I just wanted to mention that it is important during this time that you always treat the resident cat with the respect it deserves. They have a pecking order and territory is what is at stake for them so it is important that you always greet the resident cat first, feed first, and in the very beginning try not to let the resident cat see you paying attention to the new kitty. It will encourage some jealousy which you don’t want. I think you are very responsible trying to find out the best way of introducing them. Introductions are very important for a healthy and happy coexistence so you are doing well.

    Also, I forgot to mention that after you have rubbed each cat with a sock saturated with the other cats scent, leave the sock in their bed or wherever they like to lie most.

    9 September, 2008 at 3:22 pm #280691
    BlueMagic
    Participant

    I have just gone through the same process and it’s not a very pleasant thing to go through. I found it quite upsetting and wanted my two kittens to be the best of friends.

    As suggested patience is the best thing and to stay calm so they do not pick up on what you are feeling. Put them together in short intervals and increase the time (you will know) you have them together. I have to say I think its worse for a human then a cat to go through ha ha. I played with a few ribbons tied together this was great interaction for them both and got them close together with out any jumping hissing and spitting.

    I feed my elder kitten first and gave her plenty of love so she did not feel left out

    My girls after 4 weeks are still sorting out who is boss but least my house is at peace. They now sleep, eat and play together don’t get me wrong we still have a few squabbles but I suppose that is to be expected having 2 females living together.

    It will get better honest

    12 September, 2008 at 12:28 pm #280692
    sullis
    Participant

    I agree with everyone else here..it requires patience,patience,patience!! We had 2 cats that had never been “best buddies” for their 3 years together, and just added a kitten to the mix 3 months ago…we kept him in a separate room so the other 2 could sniff him out under the door; switched the other cats’ blankets with his, and vice versa, so they could get his scent. We kept them this way for 2 weeks, cuz the kitten had a URI (and is otherwise physically challenged. We’d feed the kitten next to the door on his side, and the other 2 next to the door on their side.

    Once Buster’s cold was gone, we opened the door…spitting,hissing, and growling from all parties! We made sure the other 2 cats had their nails trimmed and always supervised..when things got out of hand, we put Buster back in his room (he always instigated trouble anyway, being a kitten!)

    Now they basically “co-exist”; there’s no cuddling together, but they do play and roll around and eat together; there’s also pretty much a daily squabble for cat supremacy! But no one hurts the other; at this point, it’s alot of posturing…but it has been over 3 months! (there’s that “patience” thing again!) They all have their favorite spot in the apartment and have pretty much learned to respect each other’s boundaries..so it really will work itself out..don’t get discouraged!

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