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- May 5, 2015
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Hi!
So I'm wondering (if it's possible) if I totally botched the introduction of a 9 week kitten to my cat, who is almost 3 years. Before I was able to get the kitten isolated in the bathroom, it got out of my grasp and was met by my cat, who of course hissed, etc.
I had called my sister about how she introduced her two cats, because it was a miracle they have become friends at all. Her male cat was (and still is) known to viciously try to attack any other cats. He once broke through a screen window trying to chase one down. However, when she took in a 7 month or so old kitten, she said all she did was keep her isolated in the bathroom until he stopped growling, then just supervised, and fed them closer and closer together. She did not completely isolate the other cat unless she wasn't home. A week later, he tolerated the new cat, and a month later they were buddies.
I kept my kitten in the bathroom for a few hours, but my cat didn't even seem to notice she was there. She didn't sniff under the door or anything. I did the towel thing, bringing her the kitten's scent. After a few hours, I let the kitten out. My cat hissed/growled only when the kitten tried to come within 5 feet. My cat never ran away or hid, in fact she stayed in the same general rooms instead of hiding in my bedroom or bathroom.
When I fed them, I tried feeding my cat in her normal spot in the kitchen and feeding my kitten about 20ft away, in sight, in the bathroom. When she didn't seem comfortable, she herself went up on the counter, still in sight of the kitten, and she felt comfortable enough to eat there.
For some reason, tonight, she wasn't comfortable eating at all. I didn't hear her eat until I isolated the kitten in the bathroom and was playing with it. Then, my cat came and hissed/growled at the door when the kitten came near the door.
Did I botch the introduction by not completely isolating the kitten and following each step by step rule? Should I completely isolate the kitten and begin the "by the book" process of introduction, or should I follow my sisters advice: let them each roam free unless I'm not home, and eventually equilibrium will take place?
Side note: I also found an article in my quest for advice that really unsettled me that I had not seen before, saying that small kittens are the worst idea for trying to get a playmate for your cat. The entire reason I got the kitten was because my cat has never been alone and grew up with another cat, and I had moved. I was looking to get her company, and I thought if I got the smallest thing possible, it couldn't be threatening. Was this a bad idea?
Your advice is GREATLY appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Brie
So I'm wondering (if it's possible) if I totally botched the introduction of a 9 week kitten to my cat, who is almost 3 years. Before I was able to get the kitten isolated in the bathroom, it got out of my grasp and was met by my cat, who of course hissed, etc.
I had called my sister about how she introduced her two cats, because it was a miracle they have become friends at all. Her male cat was (and still is) known to viciously try to attack any other cats. He once broke through a screen window trying to chase one down. However, when she took in a 7 month or so old kitten, she said all she did was keep her isolated in the bathroom until he stopped growling, then just supervised, and fed them closer and closer together. She did not completely isolate the other cat unless she wasn't home. A week later, he tolerated the new cat, and a month later they were buddies.
I kept my kitten in the bathroom for a few hours, but my cat didn't even seem to notice she was there. She didn't sniff under the door or anything. I did the towel thing, bringing her the kitten's scent. After a few hours, I let the kitten out. My cat hissed/growled only when the kitten tried to come within 5 feet. My cat never ran away or hid, in fact she stayed in the same general rooms instead of hiding in my bedroom or bathroom.
When I fed them, I tried feeding my cat in her normal spot in the kitchen and feeding my kitten about 20ft away, in sight, in the bathroom. When she didn't seem comfortable, she herself went up on the counter, still in sight of the kitten, and she felt comfortable enough to eat there.
For some reason, tonight, she wasn't comfortable eating at all. I didn't hear her eat until I isolated the kitten in the bathroom and was playing with it. Then, my cat came and hissed/growled at the door when the kitten came near the door.
Did I botch the introduction by not completely isolating the kitten and following each step by step rule? Should I completely isolate the kitten and begin the "by the book" process of introduction, or should I follow my sisters advice: let them each roam free unless I'm not home, and eventually equilibrium will take place?
Side note: I also found an article in my quest for advice that really unsettled me that I had not seen before, saying that small kittens are the worst idea for trying to get a playmate for your cat. The entire reason I got the kitten was because my cat has never been alone and grew up with another cat, and I had moved. I was looking to get her company, and I thought if I got the smallest thing possible, it couldn't be threatening. Was this a bad idea?
Your advice is GREATLY appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Brie