New kittens and older cats

I know you've already heard this time and time again so I apologise in advance:

I have two new kittens and two existing cats. The existing cats have absolutely no interest in what's behind the door where the kittens are so I thought I'd let them see what was in there. I've also been moving towels between the new and older cats etc and none of them have an issue with it.

Not a huge problem, one of the older ones just ran away and the other hissed and growled as I expected.

Now to my question, I trust my older boys and I'm almost 100% sure that they aren't going to hurt the kittens but how do I know how much hissing and growling is too much? This doesn't feel like an exact science and everyone seems to have different methods.

i WOULD SUPERVISE ALL VISITS UNTIL ALL HISSING AND PUFFING STOPS. WHEN YOU ARE NOT HOME THEY STAY SEPARATED. oN THE WEEKENDS AND EVENINGS THEY CAN VISIT WITH EACH OTHER. ALSO, YOU CAN FEED THEM TOGETHER BUT MAKE SURE THE OLDER CATS GET THEIR FOOD FIRST AND THEY ARE REASSSURED IN FRONT OF THE INTERLOPERS THAT THEY ARE FIRST FOR EVERYTHING. HELLOS, PETS, HUGS, FOOD, PICKUP, ETC. aS SOON A THEY BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER WILL BECOME EVEIDENT. THIS ISN';T NECCESSARILY BECAUSE THE OPLDER CATS WILL HURT THE YOUNGER CATS, IT IS TO ASSURE THAT YOU HAVE A HAPPY FAMILY.

Thanks. Part of the problem for me is that the boys don't want to visit with the new kittens. They'd much rather walk away. Short of putting them in the room with the kittens (which I dont want to do) how can I get them to meet?

My Mum suggested that maybe the kittens are allowed out while we're in the house and they can meet "By Accident"? Anyone have any opinions?

Originally Posted by corinster

Thanks. Part of the problem for me is that the boys don't want to visit with the new kittens. They'd much rather walk away. Short of putting them in the room with the kittens (which I dont want to do) how can I get them to meet?

My Mum suggested that maybe the kittens are allowed out while we're in the house and they can meet "By Accident"? Anyone have any opinions?

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Your mom has the best advice. Let the cats meet on their own terms but just make sure to supervise while the kittens are out if you are worried.

I have an older cat, at one time she was my only cat. But then I got a kitten. I knew my older cat wasn't going to like it. When I wasn't home I kept the kitten in a confined room with water, food, a bed, some toys and a litter box. When I was home he was let out to explore the house. My older cat made it clear the first time they bumped into each other that she did not want him in her way. So he stayed clear of her. Now after a year they play with each other even though the older cat still likes to act like its the most horrible thing in the world, I know she's liking him. At night both of them curl up on my bed. Once in awhile my older cat hisses and swats but it's never anything serious, usually shes just being grumpy that day so my little boy will just walk away.

I waited until my husband came home as the older boys were his before we were married so they are infinately more secure with him then let the babies out to explore.

As expected there was a little bit of hissing and growling but that's as far as it went. The little girl was even nose to nose with one of the boys and he was find until she licked his nose! All he did was let our a little warning growl and she backed away.

They're far from best friends yet but in the 4 hours they were all out together (the babies are in their room again now) we didnt have anything more than a little growling and the odd hiss.

I'm home from work for the next two days (and the weekend) so I think I'll keep them all out together while I'm in the house.

As ever - mother knows best!!