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- Apr 12, 2007
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I brought home a new kitten two days ago (will be three late this afternoon) and my two adult cats seem very afraid of it. It's 8 weeks old, so very small compared to them and definately not agressive or even too rambunctious about approaching them.
Here's what I've been doing and the results, maybe someone has some more tips.
Kitten is usually confined to our computer room where I can keep an eye on him during the day while I work in there. He also has his own large crate (it was a puppy pen previously and much larger than say...a shelter cage) for nap times, and also keeping his litter and food in there right now since I want to wait to make sure he's worm free (took him to the vet yesterday for his first shots and worming) and also so the other cats don't have to share food and litter with a stranger. He sleeps in there at night as well, so he's not out and about wandering the house getting into trouble or having accidental run ins with my two older cats.
My two older cats are siblings (brother and sister) and they turned 3yrs old in March. They are both very friendly and comfortable around people...I think they think they ARE people XD but they seem very afraid of this little kitten. The female is a little bolder, and sometimes she will come sit at the edge of the computer room and watch the kitten toddle around and play. She's also come into the room and sniffed at his cage a bit, but she still doesn't want kitten too close and will hiss if he gets within 5 feet of her.
The male cat is worse, he's taken to staying at the far end of our house and really doesn't want to be anywhere near kitten. The mere sound of kitten mewing sends him running. He will watch from the end of the hallway while the kitten toddles about, and today he actually got within about 12 feet of it, but he seems very afraid. If kitten gets within about 10 feet of him, he does the hissing and retreat thing.
I know this is going to take some time, but does anyone have any hints to make all cats more comfortable? I've been trying to spend time with my older cats in the afternoon while kitten naps so they don't feel ignored or unloved, but I worry that they...especially the male ...(I have to admit, though, it is kind of silly and funny to see a 12 lb cat hide from a 2 lb kitten...) are under too much stress. I don't want them getting sick or becoming afraid to be around me if I'm in the computer room.
Thank you in advance!
Here's what I've been doing and the results, maybe someone has some more tips.
Kitten is usually confined to our computer room where I can keep an eye on him during the day while I work in there. He also has his own large crate (it was a puppy pen previously and much larger than say...a shelter cage) for nap times, and also keeping his litter and food in there right now since I want to wait to make sure he's worm free (took him to the vet yesterday for his first shots and worming) and also so the other cats don't have to share food and litter with a stranger. He sleeps in there at night as well, so he's not out and about wandering the house getting into trouble or having accidental run ins with my two older cats.
My two older cats are siblings (brother and sister) and they turned 3yrs old in March. They are both very friendly and comfortable around people...I think they think they ARE people XD but they seem very afraid of this little kitten. The female is a little bolder, and sometimes she will come sit at the edge of the computer room and watch the kitten toddle around and play. She's also come into the room and sniffed at his cage a bit, but she still doesn't want kitten too close and will hiss if he gets within 5 feet of her.
The male cat is worse, he's taken to staying at the far end of our house and really doesn't want to be anywhere near kitten. The mere sound of kitten mewing sends him running. He will watch from the end of the hallway while the kitten toddles about, and today he actually got within about 12 feet of it, but he seems very afraid. If kitten gets within about 10 feet of him, he does the hissing and retreat thing.
I know this is going to take some time, but does anyone have any hints to make all cats more comfortable? I've been trying to spend time with my older cats in the afternoon while kitten naps so they don't feel ignored or unloved, but I worry that they...especially the male ...(I have to admit, though, it is kind of silly and funny to see a 12 lb cat hide from a 2 lb kitten...) are under too much stress. I don't want them getting sick or becoming afraid to be around me if I'm in the computer room.
Thank you in advance!