Stray mother and kittens intergrating with existing cat

mlandry

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Four weeks ago we took in a pregnant stray. We consulted our local shelters an no one could take her so we did. We had her originally in the basement in our home away from the hustle and bustle of the home so she could have a safe and secure place to have her litter. Here is where the problem lies we already had a year old adopted cat in our home who is also a female. We attempted to introduce them while the stray was pregnant but that did not work both cats hissed and wanted to go after one another. After the stray had the litter we wanted to jeep a closer eye on the young so we moved the litter upstairs, but in a seperate room. The desperate room does have a clear cat door but its sealed. We attempted to get the cats a little more use to each other by putting their food close to each other and that way they could also see each other. However that is it working at all everytime they see each other they hiss and meow. Not sure what the next step is. We feel bad for our cat, and the new litter.
 

Sarthur2

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While the new cat is nursing and the kittens are small, the two adult cats do not need to mingle at all. The new mama is being super protective of her babies, and needs to stay with them in the private room for several weeks.

Now is not the time for introductions while mama cat is preoccupied with her babies. In fact, you should put her food (she needs wet and dry and water) and litter box in that room for her also, and do not let your other cat in. She needs privacy and to feel safe with her kittens, even when they begin to crawl around.

There will be plenty of time for getting acquainted down the road. In the meantime, your other cat knows something is up and is likely jealous, so give her plenty of attention now too! :)
 
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StefanZ

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I agree.  If they were spontaneous friendly with each other, you could let them meet, and even mingle. If nothing else, its good for the socialization of the kittens to play with an friendly aunt.

But as they arent, its no point to force things.

Btw, is the resident neutered?  If not do so.  You take several flies in one stroke...   Although also neutered can be protective of their own core revire.

That hissing and meowing I put in bold, it depends a little HOW it is.  In some situation they do hiss because of their duty, not because of convinction.   So to speak.  To get some maneuver space, not because they wants to threat or be nasty for real.

So one must analyse the situation, to see which sort of hissing it is...   Perhaps its not as badly as it sounds, I mean.   :)

Still, do not force things.   You can also try with a Feliway diffuser in the area where you plan to let them meet, when the times nears.  Put up the diffuser several days earlier, so everthing is saturated with the feromene fumes.

Tx for caring!

    Good luck!
Four weeks ago we took in a pregnant stray. We consulted our local shelters an no one could take her so we did. We had her originally in the basement in our home away from the hustle and bustle of the home so she could have a safe and secure place to have her litter. Here is where the problem lies we already had a year old adopted cat in our home who is also a female. We attempted to introduce them while the stray was pregnant but that did not work both cats hissed and wanted to go after one another. After the stray had the litter we wanted to jeep a closer eye on the young so we moved the litter upstairs, but in a seperate room. The desperate room does have a clear cat door but its sealed. We attempted to get the cats a little more use to each other by putting their food close to each other and that way they could also see each other. However that is it working at all everytime they see each other they hiss and meow. Not sure what the next step is. We feel bad for our cat, and the new litter.
 
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