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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To consider getting a kitten in addition to my cat?

2 replies

Jgoe92k39ns9skd · 17/02/2025 13:15

I have a 7 year old female cat I've had for 4 months, and she has outdoor access. She previously lived with another adult cat but I don't have any further information.

I don't want to get another adult cat as I worry it'd be much harder to integrate them however I'm hoping she'd be more accepting of a kitten and would see it as less of a threat.
There's a cat café local to me and the cats there seem very loving of the kitten even though it's not their own, but I know it can depend.
I've got the space to keep the kitten in a separate room for the first couple of weeks. I've heard it's better to get them in a pair but I just cannot afford vet fees and cattery costs for x3 cats.
Sadly I don't have anyone local who can help me so if I ever go away, even though it's not that often I need to find care for them.

Anyway just wondering if anyone's introduced a kitten and they've integrated successfully? I'm not expecting them to be best friends, but if they can live harmoniously and accept each other.

OP posts:
Scrabblerabble89 · 17/02/2025 13:54

So, and remember this is only my experience!

I'm lucky enough to have five cats, 3 adults from seperate worlds, and two kittens. The oldest is 14 now, and the kittens are 9 months.

My best advice? Take it slow. Really slow. Your adult cat will almost certainly feel like it's territory is being impinged upon, kitten or adult cat. The whole game then is making sure both cats realise there's so much 'resource' that they needn't fight for it. They don't need to guard the water bowl 'cos there's 4 of them dotted about, similarly litter trays, hiding spots, beds etc etc.
Introduce them gradually. You're quite right in having a seperate room, but be prepared for it taking more than a few weeks, depends on the cats! Make sure you do a bit of scent swapping (long before they see each other).

Last thing i guess i'd say; the cats will also see you as a resource. You play with them, feed them, pet them, care for them. Most everything good in your cats life comes from you. You need to make sure you've time to invest in each cat, both seperately and together!

Last last thing: No guarantee a kitten will be more acceptable to your mayorall cat! My old boy has 0% interest in playing with the kittens- he was after a relaxed retirement.

Last last last thing: I spent a small fortune on the feliway diffusers- really helped at the start. Got one left now, but there was a point i had 4.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on :)

ilovesooty · 17/02/2025 14:21

My older cat is 7 and lost his litter mate brother suddenly when he was 5. I introduced a kitten a few weeks later, with feliway, slow introduction, scent swapping and the kitten having his own room. He hissed and swiped at the kitten initially. They're bonded now - kitten was very sociable and he's won big cat over. Interestingly big cat is much more playful now than he was with his own brother. Little cat is boss though!

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