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Original poster

Advice on kittens and older cats please!

13 replies

AllieJubJub · 07/07/2007 18:16

We have a very placid old male moggy who is 9. We have been offered a kitten.. would a male or female kitten be better company? any advice would be fab, thanks

OP posts:
StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 07/07/2007 18:42

A female would be better. Always get the opposite to what you have.

There is some sort of spray you can get from the vets which is good for calming moggies down and is recommended when introducing a new cat. Can't rememebr the name of it though.

EscapeFrom · 07/07/2007 18:50

probably catrazepam.

RGPargy · 07/07/2007 18:58

I've never had to use a spray when introducing a new cat in my household!

What i have read (and from experience too) is that have the kitten in one room at first and then when the kitten has had a good sniff and look around, open the door and let the older cat in. At this point, you should make the most fuss over the older cat, to reassure them. There will be hissing and hackles up, but i wouldn't pay much attention to it really as they are just marking their own territory and sizing each other up.

The older cat will be pissed off for around 2-3 weeks, but after they the older cat should tolerate the kitten and it'll only get better from there.

I've had cat/kittens for a good 20 odd years so i do know what i'm talking about and have good experience with introducing new cats into the home.

Good luck!

EscapeFrom · 07/07/2007 19:24

catrazepam

Geddit? Huh? Huh?

Original poster
AllieJubJub · 08/07/2007 09:53

lol.. thanks pargy. i have been offered a boy cat. do you think that is wise?

OP posts:
oggsfrog · 08/07/2007 10:11

No spray ever used here either.
I take it that both older cat and kitten are neutered?
Just take it slowly. You can never guarantee that cats will get on anyway.
Two of mine have always hated each other, right from the word go. They just tend to avoid each other. One loves human company, the other prefers to snuggle up with one of the dogs.

RGPargy · 08/07/2007 10:57

Allie - I dont think it'll really matter too much if you bring a male kitten into your older cat's territory. At the end of the day, the older cat will rule the roost and will certainly let the kitten know!

As oggsfrog has said tho, there is no guarantee that they WILL get on, but from personal experience (or luck!!) i have never had cats that have not got on!

magnolia1 · 08/07/2007 11:15

Expect the older cat to beat the shit out of the kitten a few times, then all will be well

Our older cat has had 3 different cats introdced over the past 15 years and he always shows them who's boss then leaves them alone.

justgivemeoneminute · 08/07/2007 15:20

I recently had a kitten to go with my elderly cat who was 10 at the time and the kitten is now 3yrs old and the elder one 13 - for the last 3 yrs all I've had is the two of them falling out and bickering (bit like kids really!).....I thought I was doing right at the time - getting a kitten to keep my old cat company - initially it was hard work because the kitten just wouldn't leave the elder one alone, chasing its tail, chewing its ears etc - now they just about tolerate each other.

I don't think it matters what sex you get - they're kittens no matter whether male or female and get in to the same amount of trouble!

pucca · 08/07/2007 15:42

I had two older cats ( both boys), and then got offered 2 kittens (1 girl 1 boy).

1 older cat and the male kitten ended up running away and never saw them again but that is not why i am posted lol.

When we first got the kittens, the 2 older ones would like run at them as in to attack then stop just in time, sort of warning them, they all ended up good friends, infact would all sleep together etc...very sweet.

My mum has a cat who is about 15, and even when younger no way would he EVER entertain another cat in his house, i took my kitten to my mums once thinking oh they be fine, mums cat will KNOW it is only a baby and certainly won't hurt it!!!

Yeh right! mums cat lunged at the kitten, and the kitten definately lost one of its lives lol, just managed to stop mums cat in time, think he would have ripped the kitten to shreds tbh.

So depends on the cat really, also older cats are more grumpy and can't be bothered iykwim, they just want a easy life, not some young lively nipper hanging off thier ear/tail/whatever!

Original poster
AllieJubJub · 08/07/2007 18:22

well, i think my current cat is gay, and likes company as he lets all the other cats come in and eat his food

OP posts:
StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 09/07/2007 18:56

Its called Feliway.

www.petvetcare.co.uk/acatalog/Feliway.html

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 09/07/2007 18:57

I've had a male cat and introduced a female kitten and it was fine.

Had a female cat and introduced a female kitten and it went very badly, still is very bad 2 years on.

Never used the spray.

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