Introducing baby kitten to my 1yr old cat?

[Captain Smitty]

I tried to let my 1yr old cat meet the baby kitten and she hissed and growled like the devil. Scary stuff. Is there a certain way I can let my old cat safely welcome my new kitten?

 

[Will Lyles]

Ok, I had the same problem too. Here is what you do. This will take time. Maybe up to 6 months.
Here are the steps
First, you let them see each other through some sort of glass... dont let them touch each other... make sure they are seperated.
Secondly, when you have done that enough until the older cat has stopped hissing, then remove the barrier you had in between them before. Still dont let them come close to each other.
Thirdly, do this very slowly... IT WILL TAKE TIME!!! FOOD CAN ALSO HELP CALM THEM DOWN!!!
Finally, when they are comfortable enough, let them rome free with each other. Keep close by though with the 1yr old cat's favorite food... Good luck, I hope this helped

 

[Rae Mac]

I have tried two methods in the past and they both were very successful.



First Way (both cats were a year old):

The new cat was kept in her own room set up with her own bed, litter box, food, and toys. The other cat was allowed to roam the house since he was there first. They would sniff each other through the door. The new cat could care less about the other sniffing around.

I had a screened in porch with a sliding glass door. So I took the new kitty outside and left the other inside. I stayed out with the new cat and had a friend sit with the other. We slowly opened the door. At first just enough so they could smell each other. When they stopped growling the door was opened enough that they could stick a paw through. We used a string toy that they could both bat at and play with. Slowly the door was opened wider and wider as the cats became more comfortable. Finally all the way so they could be together.

Rarely will this work so quickly. These cats were like long lost lovers. Usually you will need to do this several times over a period of a week or so before they can be together all the time.



Second Way (2 month old kitten and 5 year old cat):

New cat was again put in its own room with its own belongings and other cat was allowed to roam the house. I would take out the new cats bedding every night so the resident cat could smell it - the new cat got the resident cats toys to play with so they could get used to each others smell. Every night I would bring the kitten out in a carrier so the other cat could see him. If it looked like she was going to go after the new cat I would take him away.

The new cat loved to play and would stick its paws under the door. I put a mouse there to get him to keep doing it. The resident cat was not the friendliest and would sit outside of the door and growl. Eventually she was more interested in playing with the mouse or the other cats paws than being angry.

As they continued to play through the door of the kittens room I would open it just enough that they could put their paws through. It took about a full week of this before all growling stopped and I finally just opened the door and had a friend with me to help me separate them if things got ugly. They didn't and started playing and rough housing (not fighting.)

For the next three days they were allowed together to play with supervision and when they would get sleepy there were separated to sleep in peace and also at night so I could sleep. Eventually they were able to sleep around each other and were allowed to stay together all of the time.


I hope this was helpful!

 

[Alexis]

Keep the baby kitten in a seperate "safe room" like a bathroom or something for awhile until she gets used to you and your house. Rotate out the blankets with your cat to help them become accustomed to each other's smells. Start leaving the safe room door cracked and introduce them. There will be some hissing and fussing. This is your resident cat letting the new kitten know who is boss and know who's territory she is in. Your cat is still fairly young, and will be able to socialize well. Once you begin putting them together, supervise constantly until you know for sure howthey will act. Things should settle down within 2-4 weeks.

Good luck!

 

[spifffffy]

Keep them separate for the first week, then gradually reintroduce them, maybe by putting the kitten in a crate and letting the older cat come and sniff. Repeat these sessions until they stop freaking out, then you can try letting them interact face to face. Be patient and don't try to rush it.

 

[Francis]

Don't take cats as pets. They are horrible creatures and ridiculously territorial.