Leaving new kitten to sleep alone

[Namechangingnorma]

Hi all, we just got a new kitten from the RSPCA this aft, we are keeping him seperate from our adultcat for a few days, he is settling in amazingly well but will he be ok sleeping downstairs on his own? Our adult cat shares our bed so we cant have him upstairs, I honestly feel like I should get a sleeping bag and go sleep in the living room

[cozietoesie]

It's the biggest change in his whole life if he's been part of a litter but I reckon he'll be OK if he's got something cuddly to sleep on (eg an old blanket or fleece) and a nearby litter tray. He may even like the quiet and the dark for a bit.

[cozietoesie]

PS - but if you're going to feel mean and cruel etc on his first night, grab a sleeping bag and go down. It shouldn't spoil him for the future.

[cozietoesie]

How did you get on? (I'm betting you went down and slept with him.)

[Namechangingnorma]

Thank you he did fine, however I got up at half six to go and play with him so he wasnt alone too long, and I have a whole room set up as kitten paradise! Next big hurdle is introducing him to his big sis!

[cozietoesie]

Excellent news. (I have to say that all of my Siamese boys have slept with me from Night 1 - although I appreciate that you couldn't do that because of his Big Sis. Nothing like a little kitten suddenly giving up on its tension and collapsing into you to snore the night away.)



PS - has he used his tray yet?

[Namechangingnorma]

Hi cozie, my new boy is an Oriental, he is bloody amazing, I have never had such a loving kitten, I am totally in love and lying here in bed feeling guilty about him being lonely downstairs. We are aiming to introduce him to our little lady tommorrow but she needs to feel really secure first so its important she has me to herslef now and gets to sleep disturbance free. He has used his tray many times already and eating well so very well settled in!

[cozietoesie]

Good - but you'll have to be real firm. In my experience, orientals bond incredibly strongly with their people and once they realize that there is also the possibility of spending the whole night in a glorious love-in - well, you're doomed.

Best of luck with the introduction. Shall you be doing it gradually?

[Namechangingnorma]

Hi Cozie, I fully expect to be spending all night with him once our little girl is on-board with him. They had a good smell of each other through the door today and he heard him mewing and looked totally non-plussed. The main intro will be tonight, but we will keep him downstairs until she seems comfortable. That said, I was up with him at half five as little girl wanted to go out so I let her outside then he was in bed with us until 7am and in seventh heaven! Am worrying about the intro tonight but she isn't showing any outward signs of aggression, hopefully it will be relatively trauma free!