New kitten, Old kitten.

[hollyjolly]

I have a 6 month old kitten, Oreo, I adopted from a shelter exactly 3 months ago. Today, I brought home an 8 week old kitten, Juliet. I read a lot about what kind of kitten to bring into my home to make the transition as easy as possible for Oreo, and still seem to be struggling.

I thought coming from a shelter, Oreo may not be as aggressive toward a kitten because he was used to other cats living with him.

Background on Oreo: Neutered before I got him. BIG Momma's boy. Playful. Happy. Purring & Loving.

Tonight he is purely aggressive toward me and the new kitten. We brought the kitten home around 10 and it's now 2am and he has not even slightly calmed down.

Originally I thought them sharing food bowls and litter boxes would be fine but his aggression quickly proved otherwise. I quickly whipped into action and set up, in my spare bedroom, a new feeding area for the new kitten and a fresh litter box. I decided I would sleep with the new kitten in the room, since Oreo obviously blames me for her arrival, while my boyfriend slept with Oreo in his original setting. Now, Oreo won't stay away. He keeps meowing to come in, and I am not sure if he is wanted to mark all of the territory or if he wants to be around the new kitten because he is intrigued. I let him in but then Oreo tries using the litter box and eating the food, which if I am going to force the new kitten away from Oreo's things, should I do the same with what I have set up to be Juliet's things? I am not sure if I am doing this right and feel very confused about why my sweet Oreo is so rough on such a tiny female kitten.

 

[tammyp]

Hi HollyJolly

Given you have read a lot about different cat types, I'm guessing you have come across the 'Way of Cats' site.  I can't help you out from personal experience, as our little girl arrives in 6 weeks - chosen to be a friend to our current neutered young boy.  But these are the ideas and principles I'll be following- especially a good introduction.  I hope there is some great reading for you too:

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/find-it/find-a-cat/adding-a-new-cat

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/cats-and-sharing/4230

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/do-cats-get-jealous/3322

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/dear-pammy-now-my-cat-is-mad-at-me/21776

 

[orientalslave]

Start by separating them and let the newcomer settle down - 8 weeks is very young to be away from her mum but that happens with shelters.

Once they have both calmed down start swapping bedding and then litter trays so they know what each other smells like.  Then move on to having in the same room for short times, maybe when they are eating, or you play with one kitten while your bf plays with the other.

Hopefully they will get used to the idea of each other pretty quickly, but Oreo has obviously had a bit of a surprise and he's not sure he likes the newcomer.

BTW if Oreo is trying to eat the kitten's food, does he have enough of his own?  Kittens should be allowed to eat as much as they want until 9 months or even older.

 

[hollyjolly]

Thanks for the advice. I kept them in separet rooms today while I was at work and today when I let Juiet out, they were very playful with each other. Oreo barley got aggressive.