New Kitten - Help

Hi there!

I was hoping to get a little advice for my new kitten that I brought home yesterday. To give you some background, I recently adopted a very friendly stray cat from Petsmart who is about 8 months old. He's as sweet as can be and loves people and other animals. In addition, I purchased an exotic shorthair from a local breeder. Originally, I wanted an exotic shorthair because of their laidback and loving temperments (and I heard that they make great family pets). 

So, I've had the stray cat for about 3 weeks and he has fit in just wonderfully! Then yesterday I picked up the exotic shorthair and she was very timid (as expected). She's only 12 weeks old and I took her away from the only home she's ever known. I set up a "base camp" for her in my bedroom with all her necessary supplies: litter, food, water, toys, etc. She explored around a little at first and even let me pet her a little. Then my other cat was begging really loudly at the door, so I let him in to see her for a couple of seconds. This was a HUGE mistake because it completely terrified my new kitten. I feel awful. They didn't touch or really see each other for long, but the kitten did give a little hiss (at which point I knew I should seperate them). 

Now my new kitten is completely horrified and is hiding under my bed. She's also hissing and growling non-stop. She has not eaten anything or used her litter box. I know I screwed up this situation by letting her see my other cat... and I feel awful. Can anyone give me any advice as to how I can remedy this mistake? I really want her to feel safe and know she's loved, but now I feel like she doesn't trust me (understandly so). Any help or advice would really be appreciated. 

Thank you!

Your new kitten is scared and is probably feeling overwhelmed right now.  I would let her hide and give her some space for now.  She may come out on her own when no one is around to use the litter box and eat.  

One thing that may be helpful is to just spend some time alone in your bedroom with the kitten but do not approach her at all.  Lay in bed and read a book or watch tv and completely ignore the kitten.  If she comes out of hiding just let her explore at her own pace and stay where you are.  Let her decide when she wants to interact.  Maybe try this for a few days.

The next thing you could try is to just sit on the floor of your bedroom and read a book to the kitten but continue to ignore her unless she decides to interact.  She needs to be allowed to adjust to her new environment at her own pace.

For what it is worth please do not beat yourself up over the quick unexpected introduction.  Years ago when my 9 year old Starbuck was a 6 week old orphaned kitten the day I brought her home she jumped out of my arms when I was carrying her to her sanctuary room.  She ran right up to one of my senior boys and hissed at him.  I was very lucky nothing happened.  I knew nothing about introductions back then and everything worked out fine. You had a minor set back but with time and patience things will change for the better.

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate your insight. I'm trying to keep everything as calm and quiet as possible right now to not further distress her. I will definitely take your suggestions of going into the room and later reading to her as well.

I agree with Catlovers comments.   If you want and can get it, you can try with a Feliway diffuser or spray too, but its not really necessary.  Things will go better and better, as long you are calm and take it easy.  YOU being nervous makes the little girl nervous too.  

Talk quite some in a friendly voice, and or make lotsa of friendly sounds.   Its a natural language for cats.

Thanks! I actually did go buy one of those diffusers today because I read positive things about it. I'll have to see how it goes. And I think you're probably right.. she probably senses that I'm a panicked mother right now. I think I'll try just going into the bedroom later and just relaxing with a book. That will calm me down and maybe she'll sense my calmness? Or at least learn my "vibe."  

So  I just went into my bedroom and noticed that the kitten was out of the hiding spot. She looked at me then growled, so I ignored her and sat on my bed. I was in there for about 30 minutues quietly working on my laptop and she growled the whole time. Then when I got up, she growled really loud (again from her hiding spot). Do you think I should just stay out of there as much as possible right now until she calms down? Or would you still advise that I go in there and just ignore her? 

Did you notice if she has eaten or used the litter box yet?  I think at this point maybe you should just leave her be until you are ready to go to bed.  It is good that she actually was out of her hiding spot while you were in the room even if she is growling a lot.  It seems like she is using growling as a way to complain.  If you do go in the room to go to bed later just continue to ignore her.  

I haven't been able to tell if she's eaten or used the litter box. I imagine she probably tried to... which is why she left her hiding spot. 

I would not go in and check right now but do check later when you go to bed.  You do want to make sure that she does not go to long without food.

Any update?

Yes! My new kitten completely turned around! Saturday morning (a little less than 2 days in her new environment) she started meowing. So I went into my bedroom and started playing with a feather toy. She was still growling at first, but I ignored it and kept playing with the toy. She then crept closer and closer... Then started playing with the toy... Then she literally threw herself into my arms. I was in utter shock! Now she's like a completely different cat! She's in love with us and following us around. She's eating abd drinking well and sleeping through the night. My other cat and her have had other (very brief) interactions and they've been better.My other cat is wanting to play with her, but he's a bit too rough. She's mostly stopped growling at everything too. Now all she wants to do is love and cuddle. It's amazing!

That is great news.  Sounds like she just needed a while to calm down in her own space.  I am glad things are getting better.