Ziay!

SME · 10-03-2009, 10:07 AM

any advice on introducing a 6 year old cat to a kitten? she has never seen a little kitten bu when she saw a larger kitten she went crazy...i dont think she would with small kitten cause she is soo loving, but i would like to do it in a slow appropriate way. any ideas would be great. thanks!!!
keep in mind my cat has all of her claws and will use them if threatened, she was a stray before we got her at a humane society.

6TwistedWhiskers · 10-04-2009, 03:23 AM

Put the new kitten in a room separate from your resident cat but where they can smell each other under the door. Don't lock up your 6 year old -- only the kitten. Also, be sure to give the older cat plenty of attention - like you would with an older child when you bring a new baby home. Let each sleep on a towel or blanket and then switch it to the other cat so they can get used to the others scent. Encourage play under the door with an interactive toy. There is no certain time limit to keep them apart in this way -- if they start to interact, it will be safe to move to the next step. Place the kitten in a carrier and put it in the room where you are watching TV or reading. Allow your older cat free access to the carrier but, watch them. If your cat is too upset and is hissing and threatening, back up a step to the separate room. Go slow. If they decide they don't like each other, it's going to be hard to overcome that.

The next step will be to allow them loose together -- only after you are comfortable after the carrier step. Try to make their being together pleasant - playing, treats, etc. Watch them carefully and don't leave them alone together until feel safe with it.

And, you just might want to consider a 2nd kitten -- especially if you have the opportunity to get one from the same litter. They will play with each other whereas one kitten is going to be pestering your 6 year old to play.

Good luck!

bythedown · 10-04-2009, 11:11 AM

when you first bring the new kitten home you have to isolate him/her for a few days. this works 2 fold; 1, to relieve stress on the kitten and 2, to relieve stress on your 6 year old cat. within this time period, you're going to have the new kitten's scent on you and your older kitty will get used to it. i wouldn't get my hopes up that they'll be instant friends at first but over a little time they will get used to each other. just make sure that you spend as much time with your older one as before so he/she doesn't feel neglected.

10-03-2009, 10:07 AM	#1
SME Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	intoducing cat to kitten? any advice on introducing a 6 year old cat to a kitten? she has never seen a little kitten bu when she saw a larger kitten she went crazy...i dont think she would with small kitten cause she is soo loving, but i would like to do it in a slow appropriate way. any ideas would be great. thanks!!! keep in mind my cat has all of her claws and will use them if threatened, she was a stray before we got her at a humane society.

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10-04-2009, 03:23 AM	#2
6TwistedWhiskers Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Put the new kitten in a room separate from your resident cat but where they can smell each other under the door. Don't lock up your 6 year old -- only the kitten. Also, be sure to give the older cat plenty of attention - like you would with an older child when you bring a new baby home. Let each sleep on a towel or blanket and then switch it to the other cat so they can get used to the others scent. Encourage play under the door with an interactive toy. There is no certain time limit to keep them apart in this way -- if they start to interact, it will be safe to move to the next step. Place the kitten in a carrier and put it in the room where you are watching TV or reading. Allow your older cat free access to the carrier but, watch them. If your cat is too upset and is hissing and threatening, back up a step to the separate room. Go slow. If they decide they don't like each other, it's going to be hard to overcome that. The next step will be to allow them loose together -- only after you are comfortable after the carrier step. Try to make their being together pleasant - playing, treats, etc. Watch them carefully and don't leave them alone together until feel safe with it. And, you just might want to consider a 2nd kitten -- especially if you have the opportunity to get one from the same litter. They will play with each other whereas one kitten is going to be pestering your 6 year old to play. Good luck!

10-04-2009, 11:11 AM	#3
bythedown Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	when you first bring the new kitten home you have to isolate him/her for a few days. this works 2 fold; 1, to relieve stress on the kitten and 2, to relieve stress on your 6 year old cat. within this time period, you're going to have the new kitten's scent on you and your older kitty will get used to it. i wouldn't get my hopes up that they'll be instant friends at first but over a little time they will get used to each other. just make sure that you spend as much time with your older one as before so he/she doesn't feel neglected.

Ziay!

intoducing cat to kitten?

intoducing cat to kitten?