I completely read up on the best way to introduce new kittens to older cats and I still didn't follow the instructions! Sheesh!
Luckily, things turned out a lot better than I thought they would. My older boy Kinko ran out of the room when the kittens were first brought upstairs (I'm using my bedroom as the safe room). But later he came back and actually started licking the little girl's face and really cleaned up the little boy's behind. So I think that went well enough, though I will still keep the kittens in the safe room only until they reach about 16 weeks (they are 12 weeks now). Then I'll let them wander upstairs under my supervision. I also want to keep the kittens separate until after they get fixed in a couple of weeks.
Chloe - my older girl, was not so happy. She mewed a lot at first and then let out a couple of hisses and curled up next to my husband. I started to pet the little girl and I would hold my hand in front of Chloe who would lick it and rub her face against it. Then I would pet the kitten again hoping some of Chloe's sent would rub off on her.
The kittens are staying in the bathroom for now when my husband and I are asleep or out of the house. Wow are they tiny! I know my two older Maine Coons are big - but these guys seem so little. And of course I forgot about having to get up in the middle of the night to feed and comfort them! Luckily it was only twice.
I have to say - as cute as these new babies are, I am ready for them to get bigger!
So my plan now is to bring down the towels the kittens have slept on all night to the living room so my older cats can smell them and place one of the towels under their food. And then later this week start feeding my older cats next to the kittens in their carrier.
Hopefully - fingers crossed - in four weeks once the kittens' spay/neuter is complete and they have healed, we can start allowing supervised meet and greet time.
So please - for those of you who have done this before - am I on the right track? Any tips and suggestions?
Luckily, things turned out a lot better than I thought they would. My older boy Kinko ran out of the room when the kittens were first brought upstairs (I'm using my bedroom as the safe room). But later he came back and actually started licking the little girl's face and really cleaned up the little boy's behind. So I think that went well enough, though I will still keep the kittens in the safe room only until they reach about 16 weeks (they are 12 weeks now). Then I'll let them wander upstairs under my supervision. I also want to keep the kittens separate until after they get fixed in a couple of weeks.
Chloe - my older girl, was not so happy. She mewed a lot at first and then let out a couple of hisses and curled up next to my husband. I started to pet the little girl and I would hold my hand in front of Chloe who would lick it and rub her face against it. Then I would pet the kitten again hoping some of Chloe's sent would rub off on her.
The kittens are staying in the bathroom for now when my husband and I are asleep or out of the house. Wow are they tiny! I know my two older Maine Coons are big - but these guys seem so little. And of course I forgot about having to get up in the middle of the night to feed and comfort them! Luckily it was only twice.
I have to say - as cute as these new babies are, I am ready for them to get bigger!
So my plan now is to bring down the towels the kittens have slept on all night to the living room so my older cats can smell them and place one of the towels under their food. And then later this week start feeding my older cats next to the kittens in their carrier.
Hopefully - fingers crossed - in four weeks once the kittens' spay/neuter is complete and they have healed, we can start allowing supervised meet and greet time.
So please - for those of you who have done this before - am I on the right track? Any tips and suggestions?