New Cat Introduction

Hi. We brought a new kitten home from the shelter two days ago to be a playmate for a 3-year old stray we adopted last year. The kitten is 13-weeks old and we didn't follow the protocol for separating them. Needless to say, he (the older cat) is not happy. We do have a cage for the kitten and she sleeps in it at night. We do not allow her to use his dishes or toys, but she has romped around a bit and caused a stir. He growls and hisses - which he has NEVER done.

Is it too late to separate them and hope that they will work it out?

I think it woul dbe a good idea to separate them and start over again. Please click here to read about how to do introductions the safe way.

Good luck!

Time is what they need. but how much will depend on them

Thank you! We will try... I would hate to have to send her back, as much as I would hate to have his personality altered as a result of being unhappy.

Right, just keep the cats separated and follow the introduction procedures verbatim. You might also want to invest in a feliway diffuser and feliway spray. My cats were notorious for getting into smacking matches (they were kind of funny to watch LOL). Whenever I saw a particularly bad fight break out (with one of them -- usually Cassie) hissing or growling, I would spritz the area. I swear, no fights would break out in that area for a while .

Wow. I am in the same situation. We just brought home a 6 week old kitten for our 14 month old cat and just introduced them right away. We are only in a 1 bedroom apartment, so there's just the bedroom and the rest of the place which means one has to stay cooped up in the bedroom. I tried just putting up a large piece of cardboard to separate the place in half, but the kitten got over to the other side (go figure - not the cat, the kitten). She still growls and hisses, so I don't let them stay in the same room very long together. I just ordered a Feliway plug-in so hopefully that will help. I'm sure there's still hope for us as long as we show them both a lot of love !