Introducing an 8 week old kitten to another 8 week old kitten?

I think I've bitten off more than I can chew here... I bought an 8 week old male tiger kitten three days ago and I brought home a rescue male kitten (same age and color) today. I realize we're supposed to introduce them slowly to one another but I don't have a separate room for the new kitten to sleep in I didn't even think about this... I figured the introduction would go smoothly.

I will tell you this much... I did let the two of them play together. Milo (the cat I've had for three days) was the dominant one but he did not "attack" the new kitten. He did kind of bat at him like playing tag, and he did pounce on him but he'd run away right afterward. This is just kittens playing, right?

My boyfriend is upset because we have to keep the newer kitten in a carrier for the night since we didn't plan ahead. The safest place for the newest kitten to be is in one of the bathrooms. (The spare bedroom is filled with our chinchillas and I'd rather not risk any of the chins or the kitten getting hurt).

Is there any way to make this introduction go smoothly? I think they'll do fine with one another since they are so young, but since I don't have a place for the second kitten to stay, I guess I sort of have to rush things... Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by Tigerbabygrr

I will tell you this much... I did let the two of them play together. Milo (the cat I've had for three days) was the dominant one but he did not "attack" the new kitten. He did kind of bat at him like playing tag, and he did pounce on him but he'd run away right afterward. This is just kittens playing, right?

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Sounds like normal kitten playing to me.
Can you keep both of them in the bedroom with you at night to make sure they don't get too rough?


I'm sure one of our kittens experts will come along shortly and give you some good advice.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by stormy

Sounds like normal kitten playing to me.

Can you keep both of them in the bedroom with you at night to make sure they don't get too rough?


I'm sure one of our kittens experts will come along shortly and give you some good advice.

Good luck!

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Thanks... my boyfriend still feels like he's bitten off more than he can chew and I'm at his apartment right now so I don't know what the final decision will be...but we might have to take the new kitten back

I don't really know what is really going on...or I may be missing a problem..? lol

What is happening that makes you think you have "bitten off more than you can chew"? You say they are not attacking and what you describe sounds like play..
If you give as much information as possible, there are so many great people here that will be along shortly to give great advice...

I've had two kittens (brothers) since they were 13 weeks old - now they're about 9 months. Normal play for them would be:- wrestling, biting each others ears and anywhere else they can get their teeth, rolling each other over, stalking, doing "bunny" kicks with the back legs, hissing, having mad 90 mph chases which can end in any of the above, batting at each other round doors, furniture, through curtains. Then when they've worn each other out, curling up together for a snuggle. Does any of the above sound familiar?

I could be wrong and I'm sure someone will tell me if I am, but I can't imagine kittens at only 8 weeks doing anything more serious than playing together. Have fun!

Try not to worry. You do need one of the kitten experts here, but I had Mitz at 14 weeks and Jake at 16 weeks, both from two separate breeders and both arriving on the same day never having met. At that age they really don't seem to think anything more than 'yippee someone to play with!!'. I spent the first few nights sleeping in their room with them, they were both in the study as their 'nursery' for the first couple of weeks anyway while they were so little before they came into the rest of the house, but there was absolutely none of the problems that come with introducing adult cats. They will wrestle, bunny kick, chew and chase, that's completely normal. You'll probably find as these two will grow up close friends they'll still be wrestling and chewing when they're fully grown! They'll also very likely wash each other, cuddle and sleep together. You'll very quickly see if one kitten is really being 'bullied' and is unhappy about it, needing your help. Otherwise it sounds like you're about to have some really magic few weeks! It's wonderful to have two kittens together at this age and they'll love the company and companionship.

I, too, am not a kitten expert, but it sounds to me like things are going ok. I've heard that very young cats adapt to new cats much more easily than older cats.

Also, a bathroom is a perfectly large space for one kitten (even one cat) to spend a night or even a day. Since our apartment is quite small, too, each new cat that has come in has spent at least the first 24 hours in the bathroom. So, if you want to separate the two kittens, you can put one in the bathroom and give the other the free run of the apartment or your bedroom.

It sounds like maybe you're worried because you're not exactly following the guidelines for introducing cats that you've found on this site--is that right? I introduced Eva to Ziv before I had ever heard of this site, and though I knew some of the tricks, I certainly didn't know them all. In certain circumstances--especially with younger cats, who are more flexible--you don't have to follow the "rules" strictly. Just keep your eye on them whenever they're together, and separate them when you can't be there. You'll be fine!

Thanks everyone... my boyfriend I guess just feels a little overwhelmed and didn't really think this through. He is going to be working from home so he wanted a little guy to curl up with and have a lap kitten. The first kitten we bought (Milo) is exactly that. We began thinking about Milo when we are not at the apartment and we wanted to get him a playmate. We're just not sure if we can handle two kittens or not. I'm inbetween classes right now and I've e-mailed my boyfriend to ask him how things are going but I haven't heard from him yet.

We adopted the second kitty from an adoption center (really it was just someone's house but they have so many animals). He bonded with me very quickly and I wasn't expecting that. Milo bonded quickly to Jason and if Jason had to let Milo go he would be very upset. This is how I am feeling about the second kitten. I want to do what's best for the kitten and I'm confusing myself... I can't decide if it would be better to put him up for adoption where he will get all the attention he deserves, or if it would be better to take him back to that couple's home.

I, myself would like to try and socialize the two kittens, but I don't know if my boyfriend even wants to bother... I'll keep you guys posted. When I get a chance I'll be sure to attach some pictures of Milo

~*Mandi*~

Just because you have two kittens doesn't mean that they won't socialise with humans as well. My kittens are the most loving affectionate pets I know, they use all their energy up playing with each other then go to a human when they want love and cuddles. If you are going to be out of your apartment sometimes it will be less lonely for Milo to have a companion. I know that while they are kittens life can be a bit hectic, but when they are grown, it's not really any more trouble to have two cats then it is to have one. You still have the litter tray to clean etc, whether you have one or two.

The only thing I would say is that you can never guarantee what sort of personality a kitten will have when it's an adult. You can never be sure that they'll turn out to be lap cats. We had Sophie from 6 weeks old, she was a loving, playful kitten who, despite our love and attention, turned out to be very aloof and would shun human contact (except when you had a tin of cat food).

I totally understand that we cannot base his personality as a kitten on his personality as an older cat. I had kittens and cats when I was younger (about 12 years ago) and boy to kittens change when they're older lol.

I just spoke to my boyfriend and he set up a little place for the second kitten in the bathroom last night. He gave him a bed, a litter pan and some food dishes. We're going to try the introduction thing tonight and I may end up staying up all night to watch the both of them, but I'm prepared. I want to give this kitten the love and attention he deserves.

Thanks guys I'm really glad I found this site.

We do fostering for new kittens. We have had up to ten kittens in the house at once...we NEVER did anything special to introduce and have never had any issues. fine. They sound like they are behaving normally.

Give you an idea, we have a 20lb male who normally has no issues with the new kittens...this last group of 3 kittens TICKED HIM OFF, he hissed and growled for days..well now, he sleeps with two and we decided to keep them.

Let them play, they will be fine.

Thanks 5cats Sounds like a plan.

Kittens are a lot easier to take care of than chinchillas lol. Once we get these two to know each other we'll have to introduce them to the chinnies...THAT's going to be tough lol.

I just wanted to thank everyone. I was really un-shure of what was going to happen, but all of your help has made this a lot easier on me. I think the new kitten will do just fine and be a good companian to Milo.

Hi Jason I'm glad you joined the forum. You're really going to like it here. Everyone's been very helpful even though they don't know either of us

We also have a house full of guinea pigs

Really, don't worry about it. For the first few days we left for errands without seperating, I gave it some thought, but I figured if he was going to hurt anyone, he would have already done it...and I always came back to a houseful of happy cats...they will be ok..they will find their own space and work it out.

We also have a female who is very shy and she hid for over a week when the babies got here,..and now she too has become very good friends with the baby female...

If at anytime I was worried, it was with this batch, I had NEVER seen our cat act like that..my fiance was very uspet...but it just took a few weeks and it was over..it gets better everyday..

I sure hope the intros will go smoothly for us I uploaded a pic of Milo and attached it to my signature I'll also upload a pic of the new kitten when I get a chance. I'll need help naming him, too He looks a lot like Milo but he has white socks. His head makes me think he's part leopard lol.

I still like Merlin

Milo's a cutie!!!
Merlin's a good name!

oh yeah! Tabbies! I love your little one. My Saba is a tabby/coon. I think it's great that you've joined and immediately reached out and posted for help - although I adopt strays/rescue kitties and never have had 2 kittens, I am reading your thread. I did have Sasha as a kitten from his mama but remarkably he was an only child!

They're playing with each other right now and Milo's still the dominant one. They just drank from the same water dish without any problems so who knows? I'm just keeping an eye on them. I'll get some pictures of the new guy when he's tuckered out