Hi everyone. My first post here. I posted this on another pet forum but I don't know how long it will take to get a response, so I'm posting here, too.
I'm sorry this is so long but I really need some reassurance! Please!
I have a male cat who is 14. I used to have another female cat who was two years older than him but she died last year. When I first introduced them, they didn't like each other much. He was like 2 or 3 at the time and she was like 4 or 5 at the time. But they gradually started getting along and they became bestest buddies. He used to groom her all the time whenever she would go and cuddle with him. It was so cute! So you can imagine that when she died, he got pretty upset. He became my shadow. Literally, he wouldn't leave my side when I was home with him. (I live alone, no kids, no other pets).
So I thought I'd try to get him a buddy. I found a sweet kitty at the pound, also male (mistake?), he was about 2 or 3, they didn't know for sure cause he was dropped off there about a month prior. I probably didn't introduce them properly but it's because when I tried to put him in his own room, he meowed his head off and wouldn't stop, so I just let them deal. They never really got along too good so I ended up giving that cat to my parents. They like him a lot but he meows so much it drives my parents crazy. But that's another story for another day.
Anyway, that was in August of last year when I gave that cat to my parents. Since then, it's just been me and my 14 year old. He continued/continues to be my shadow.
Some friends of mine found a stray kitten, 6 weeks old-ish, in their garage. They called around to all of the pounds in the area but they all told them they're full up and will euthanize within a couple of hours if they drop him off there. So I said geez man I can't let that happen! So I told them I'd take him. Now I'm worried as heck!
This little guy is a male, 6 weeks approximately. I'm picking him up next weekend and taking him to the vet next Monday. I fully intend to keep them separated by keeping the kitten in my spare bedroom with food, water, toys, litter box, etc. I am hoping if I follow all of the steps for the gradual intro that they will be ok. You know, rubbing a towel with each of their scents and letting them sniff under the door, etc. I'm going to do that.
But I'm SO worried! My older cat has become the king of the castle and he absolutely hated the other cat, the one I gave my parents. He has become accustomed to it just being me and him. And I really wish this kitten was a female because I really think it would work a little better. But unfortunately it's a boy kitty. I really really want this to work because I hate the idea of having to find a new home for him. I want my older cat to have an eventual playmate and companion for while I'm at work. And I really want to believe that if I do the intro as gradually as possible that maybe, just maybe, it will work out. But you guys I'm so scared! I'm scared that it will prove to be too much for my older cat!
The last thing I want is for my older cat to feel in any way replaced or displaced or unhappy. I want him to know he's still the primary cat in the house and this kitten is not taking his place. But I want to make sure I raise the kitten to be as loving and cuddly and sweet as I raised him to be, because I love the fact that my older cat always wants to cuddle. I don't like these aloof cats who are completely anti-social. So how do I ensure they are both comfortable and happy and that neither one of them feels like they are less important?
Any reassurance ya'll can give me would be greatly appreciated.
I'm sorry this is so long but I really need some reassurance! Please!
I have a male cat who is 14. I used to have another female cat who was two years older than him but she died last year. When I first introduced them, they didn't like each other much. He was like 2 or 3 at the time and she was like 4 or 5 at the time. But they gradually started getting along and they became bestest buddies. He used to groom her all the time whenever she would go and cuddle with him. It was so cute! So you can imagine that when she died, he got pretty upset. He became my shadow. Literally, he wouldn't leave my side when I was home with him. (I live alone, no kids, no other pets).
So I thought I'd try to get him a buddy. I found a sweet kitty at the pound, also male (mistake?), he was about 2 or 3, they didn't know for sure cause he was dropped off there about a month prior. I probably didn't introduce them properly but it's because when I tried to put him in his own room, he meowed his head off and wouldn't stop, so I just let them deal. They never really got along too good so I ended up giving that cat to my parents. They like him a lot but he meows so much it drives my parents crazy. But that's another story for another day.
Anyway, that was in August of last year when I gave that cat to my parents. Since then, it's just been me and my 14 year old. He continued/continues to be my shadow.
Some friends of mine found a stray kitten, 6 weeks old-ish, in their garage. They called around to all of the pounds in the area but they all told them they're full up and will euthanize within a couple of hours if they drop him off there. So I said geez man I can't let that happen! So I told them I'd take him. Now I'm worried as heck!
This little guy is a male, 6 weeks approximately. I'm picking him up next weekend and taking him to the vet next Monday. I fully intend to keep them separated by keeping the kitten in my spare bedroom with food, water, toys, litter box, etc. I am hoping if I follow all of the steps for the gradual intro that they will be ok. You know, rubbing a towel with each of their scents and letting them sniff under the door, etc. I'm going to do that.
But I'm SO worried! My older cat has become the king of the castle and he absolutely hated the other cat, the one I gave my parents. He has become accustomed to it just being me and him. And I really wish this kitten was a female because I really think it would work a little better. But unfortunately it's a boy kitty. I really really want this to work because I hate the idea of having to find a new home for him. I want my older cat to have an eventual playmate and companion for while I'm at work. And I really want to believe that if I do the intro as gradually as possible that maybe, just maybe, it will work out. But you guys I'm so scared! I'm scared that it will prove to be too much for my older cat!
The last thing I want is for my older cat to feel in any way replaced or displaced or unhappy. I want him to know he's still the primary cat in the house and this kitten is not taking his place. But I want to make sure I raise the kitten to be as loving and cuddly and sweet as I raised him to be, because I love the fact that my older cat always wants to cuddle. I don't like these aloof cats who are completely anti-social. So how do I ensure they are both comfortable and happy and that neither one of them feels like they are less important?
Any reassurance ya'll can give me would be greatly appreciated.
