Accidental meeting between older cat and kitten

graywing

graywing

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2015
Messages
96
Purraise
11
We've had both our cats under quarantine for some time because the kitten we rescued ended up having ringworm. So we had to put off any work on introductions for some time. Well, Gizmo, the currently almost 4 month old kitten, is adventurous and surprisingly fast and clever. They've both been cleared of ringworm and Tux has recently been allowed back into the rest of the house. I intended to leave Gizmo in the bathroom for the most part. I wanted to put Tux up a few times a day into the other bathroom, let Gizmo out to play and run around. I also wanted to do the introduction trick with the door. Anyway, Gizmo has made it out of the bathroom a few times while Tux was out.

Tux just sorta growls at him if he gets close and if Gizmo gets even closer swats at him. But that thankfully seems to be about it. Tux grumbles and the kitten just sorta backs off. Otherwise they both act rather normally? I've never had to deal with introducing an adult cat to a kitten before so I'm not really sure what to fully expect.

I'm just not sure how to proceed at this point. Start all over from scratch again? Let them interact on occasion while supervised?

I'm still wanting to do some blanket exchanging and work with petting them both with the same sock.
 
shadowsrescue

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,027
Purraise
5,100
Location
Ohio
Graywing said:
We've had both our cats under quarantine for some time because the kitten we rescued ended up having ringworm. So we had to put off any work on introductions for some time. Well, Gizmo, the currently almost 4 month old kitten, is adventurous and surprisingly fast and clever. They've both been cleared of ringworm and Tux has recently been allowed back into the rest of the house. I intended to leave Gizmo in the bathroom for the most part. I wanted to put Tux up a few times a day into the other bathroom, let Gizmo out to play and run around. I also wanted to do the introduction trick with the door. Anyway, Gizmo has made it out of the bathroom a few times while Tux was out.

Tux just sorta growls at him if he gets close and if Gizmo gets even closer swats at him. But that thankfully seems to be about it. Tux grumbles and the kitten just sorta backs off. Otherwise they both act rather normally? I've never had to deal with introducing an adult cat to a kitten before so I'm not really sure what to fully expect.

I'm just not sure how to proceed at this point. Start all over from scratch again? Let them interact on occasion while supervised?

I'm still wanting to do some blanket exchanging and work with petting them both with the same sock.
Click to expand...
I would start from scratch.  They may know the scents of each other well, but start by rubbing them each down with a clean washcloth then exchanging the wash clothes.  I like to offer a treat with the wash cloth so they associate the smell with something good. 

After a few days of scent exchange, you can move forward.  Here are some articles  and a video on cat to cat intros.  The key is to take them very very slow.  Humans are prone to rushing the process as we so want things to move forward quickly.  Yet cats move at a different pace.  If you rush the process then you will need to back pedal.  Move slowly between the steps only moving forward when there is no hissing, growling, posturing, ears going flat, tail swishing, yowling, etc..  You want the cats to really be at ease.  Don't be surprised if some of the steps take weeks.

You might want to get a baby gate or two to help with some of the process.  A cheap wooden screen door works well too.  You can possibly attach it with tension rods.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

 
Anne

Anne

Site Owner
Staff Member
Admin
Joined
Oct 23, 2000
Messages
40,219
Purraise
6,110
Location
On TCS
That's good advice though I have to say a lot depends on the specific cats. Some cats need slower "orchestrated"  introductions while others will adjust at the same rate on their own, without having too many issues. In my own personal experience, I've seen two adult male cats who accepted the presence of kittens without the need for separation. That is to say, they tolerated the presence of the new kitten without becoming overly aggressive and gradually allowed the kitten to come closer. 

What @ShadowsRescue  suggested is the safest method though, by far. Especially if you're not very sure of your ability to read feline body language and assess stress levels. Do read the link on our site about cat introductions and follow the links as may be needed. Let us know how it's going!

 [article="32680"]How To Successfully Introduce Cats The Ultimate Guide​[/article]  
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4
graywing

graywing

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2015
Messages
96
Purraise
11
I think things are going well. It's certainly felt a lot more easygoing the last couple days.

At first, Tux couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Gizmo. At the same time he would growl and hiss and bat at him if he came too close. And Gizmo would just walk straight up to him without any hesitation. It would usually end with Gizmo darting off for a bit or just sorta rolling to his side before walking off or trying again to approach. Tux never seemed to really try to hurt him though. It's more like the bats were a "shoo!".

Now they often just go about and do their own things. Tux will either stay in the room or go into another room. Sometimes he'll come to me for attention or sometimes he'll just go look out the window or take a nap. There's still times when Gizmo tries to initiate play though. This generally results in Tux growling and Gizmo getting batted at if he gets too insistent. But at the same time they can walk past each other and Tux doesn't seem to care at all.

Btw, I still don't let Gizmo out into the rest of the house all the time. I make sure that he's supervised when he's not in his safe room.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
graywing

graywing

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2015
Messages
96
Purraise
11
Had a new type of behavior start today. Tux is still doing the occasional hiss. This is most often when Gizmo tries to playfully tackle him. But earlier I watched as Tux hid himself alongside a wall to ambush Gizmo. Then they seemed to just take turns chasing each other. It'd be one for a bit being chased, and then the next. It went on for a little while. I'm wondering if this is some sort of working out establishing hierarchy or even maybe actual playing?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top