Introducing 2 new kitties, with a unfortunate twist.

Okay, my roomie got two new kitties and unfortunatly no matter how much I try and talk to her or give her links she refuses to keep her kittens in her room or a bathroom or any sort of other compromise as switching who is locked up. That in turn makes me have to keep my cat (1 years old) in my room and she's not too happy about it (see here: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=140841)

Any advice besides what I've read about exchanging scents, giving treats, and playing? They seem to be progressing a bit, there is hissing if the kitten goes for my cats' toy and she has tried to bat them (claws in though), but she mostly watches them.

Also, at what point would you say they are able to be left alone together because I really hate leaving my cat alone in my room. She peed twice over the weekend because I was gone for the weekend, and the carpet scratching and I know she's unhappy while I'm at work.

Originally Posted by venusgirltrap

Any advice besides what I've read about exchanging scents, giving treats, and playing? They seem to be progressing a bit, there is hissing if the kitten goes for my cats' toy and she has tried to bat them (claws in though), but she mostly watches them.

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Very normal. She is teaching the kittens feline etiquette. They will learn she is the boss. Humans need not interfere.

Originally Posted by venusgirltrap

Also, at what point would you say they are able to be left alone together because I really hate leaving my cat alone in my room. She peed twice over the weekend because I was gone for the weekend, and the carpet scratching and I know she's unhappy while I'm at work.

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Well, it depends on your cat really. In my case, all newcomers are allowed to mingle with the others when the resident cats ignore them. The law seems to be - Keep to yourself and no one will bother you.

Maybe you could put you kitty in a large dog crate with bed, food, water & a few toys or lock her in the bathroom where she can't scratch the carpet. Blossom is locked up in my hallway & bathroom when we're not home as I have pet mice & I don't want her to touch them. I'm sure she sleeps most of the time.

It's not fair at all to your cat, whose territory the kittens 'invaded' - she shouldn't be the one to be locked up and your roomie's crossing a line there which I don't think is right. Explain to her that her cats could be in danger from yours, apart from anything else and what she did is a real slap in the face to you by not dealing with things properly (whose place is it anyway?). Certainly when both of you are out at work or school HER cats need to be confined for now, for everyone's safety, and it's not right for your cat to suddenly have to be the one locked up in her 'own' place at all. There must be some way to make her understand, otherwise consider if you want her for a roommate any longer - she obviously doesn't seem to respect the 50/50 aspect of what it means.

While its best to keep everyone separated and slowly introduce, since your roommate will not cooperatate; I'd just let your cat out. It will take longer for them all to adjust and you will have to deal with more hissing, etc., but it can be done.

Not fair for your cat to be locked up cause of your roommate's stubborness. Just be sure all cats' nails are clipped! You can try the following that will be helpful:

1. Sprinkle all the cats with cornstarch baby powder to smell the same.

2. Put a dab of vanilla extract on their noses.

3. Wash all of them in the same shampoo so they smell the same.

Since your cat is not attacking the kittens I would leave her out. Even if she does bop them on the head or hiss at them she is only letting the kittens know that she is running things.

Kittens learn very quickly who they can mess with and who they can't. Since your cat is only a year old she may even start to play and groom them once they get to know each other.

You could also bring up to your roommate that since your cat is tearing up the carpet that she/he will also loose half of that security deposit.

Yea, I've really tried talking to her or sending her links, but she's totally refuses to listen to reason and she thinks that it is cruel to leave kittens locked in the bathroom (it's a small half-bath). I don't think she cares about the security deposit because really they usually itemize out what the damage is and the cost so I would have to pay for that damage to the carpet. I'm going out of town this weekend, but I had already decided that as of Monday I'm letting her out full-time and if the roomie is uncomfortable with that then she can lock her cats up. My cat does love my room and it's a safe haven for her since I always shut the door at night anyway, but I know she's bothered that there is stuff going on downstairs that she can't see...she is very curious and active.