Introducing a kitten to existing cat.. Not sure this is going well

[Methe]

We have had our tortoiseshell cat ruby for a year. She completely rules the roost and can be a bit if a madam putting it mildly. We recently decided to get another kitten and collected Pearl from the RSPCA last weekend. She is a 13 week old petite black and white cutie.

We have done everything the RSPCA advised..introduced them slowly, let pearl explore on her own terms, give them both equal attention, girl pearl somewhere to hide etc but when they are both in the same room ruby completely terrorises Pearl who looks terrified. There's no actual aggression just very obvious domination.

Ruby spends most of her life outside and pearl seems fine when she's not in.

These are our first cats so no idea what it normal.

[cozietoesie]

You're nearly always going to get one of the cats who is dominant and it looks as if Ruby is acting out that role from the start. How is her domination playing out physically? Just body language?

[Methe]

She'll take a swipe but not in an all out claw attack..It's more like she batting pearl down and putting her in her place. There's also a lot of cornering behaviour and getting as high up as she can.

[cozietoesie]

I'd see how it goes for a little longer. It sounds as if she's just behaving like a dominant female to a young female cat so with any luck they'll work it out.

Is the kitten well in health respects - eating, drinking and using her tray etc?

[Methe]

Yeah she's fine :) she's no trouble at all tbh.

How long would it normally take them to be comfortable in each other company?

[cozietoesie]

It depends on the cats in my experience. Are you being lavish with treats etc?

[cozietoesie]

PS - remember to have Pearl spayed promptly. (I'm assuming Ruby already is?) She'll be ready for it in two to three weeks or so and if there's any edginess between the two still, you won't need a dose of teenage hormones to complicate matters.

[Methe]

Not especially but I can soon ramp that up if it'll be helpful. Pearl is laying on the arm of the chair and rubes has just sauntered past and given me a right look but not made a move.

Cats are strange creatures.

[Methe]

She's been done already, chipped, speyed and almost vaccinated before we got her. I think the rspca do the routinely at eight or ten weeks.

We've got to take her back at the end of the month for her last jab but other than that's she'll all done.

[cozietoesie]

Oh that's good - and it sounds as if they're adjusting to each other.

[Methe]

Fingers crossed! I don't think I could cope with warring cats as well as my warring children.

[patienceisvirtuous]

After a week of hell (which I spent feeling hideously guilty re both cat and kitten) our two settled down a little. Another week or so and even better (the little one managed to get a nice cuddle in week 2).

We've now had our kitten since June and they get along like a house on fire. Best of friends.

They take turns at being dominant now! :)

It just requires a bit of time and patience OP. We followed the Blue Cross website advice which was great.

Word of warning, after we had kitten spayed we were back to square one on returning from the vet. Only took a few days this time for things to settle.

Good luck OP.

[patienceisvirtuous]

This is a photo of my two's first cuddle about a fortnight in. Always makes me smile :)

Little one was really persistent til she got one! Second pic is them now :o old friends!

[Methe]

Oooo I love those photo

I do hope my two will get on like that eventually.

[RubbishMantra]

MCat detested MKitten at first, I really thought we'd made a terrible mistake. Now they're thick as thieves, they love hanging out with each other, doing cat stuff.

MCat's grooms MKitten every morning, so I guess he must feel quite parental towards him.