Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Introducing new kittens to a mean old cat ...

27 replies

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 03/09/2012 07:55

We have one cat. He's a massive ten year-old neutered British shorthair and he's a menace to all neighbourhood vermin and other cats. We've had complaints from other neighbours about his aggression towards their cats.

Now a friend has kittens and I would really love to take a pair. We have plenty of space and enough mice and rabbits to keep a whole bevy of cats entertained. But I'm nervous about how he'll react to them. Anyone got any experience. Is he likely to eat them for breakfast or will he not see them as a threat? Obviously I don't want to get them if they'll end up terrorised but they are desperately cute and I'd like more feline cuddles in my life!

Any advice gratefully received ...

OP posts:

NPPF · 03/09/2012 10:49

There was a menace grey British Shorthair that lived near me. He attacked the neighbour's kittens as well as terrorising other cats. He also bit my leg once without any provocation. Sunk his teeth right in after he intruded into my house.

Anyway, one of the neighbours reported him to the RSPCA and he has since disappeared.

I think that if he attacks other cats he will attack the kittens too.

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/09/2012 11:43

I'd like another cat too but our Bengal boy is very assertive and I wouldnt trust him around a kitten.

Personally I wouldnt. Some cats are very obviously only cats.

Our cat had friends who were allowed into our garden but he wouldnt let them come near me and went beserk if they came to the back door.

chrisdriver · 03/09/2012 11:46

We have a pair of lazy grumpy 9 year old mogs. We got a kitten a little over a week ago, and after a day of growling, and avoiding him, we got a Feliway, and they are now all so blissed out and in love with each other it is hilarious.

That said, kitten has commandeered all three beds. They are still not happy about that, but you can't have everything.

cozietoesie · 03/09/2012 12:43

Personally, I've never known a grown cat attack a kitten - there seem to be different rules there - but I probably wouldn't take the chance. (Not just the chance of the kits being eaten for breakfast (!) but of the three of them ending up at best low-level unhappy if your boy is truly a hell-raiser.)

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 03/09/2012 16:05

Thanks all. I'm not sure I'm much the wiser though. I've done a bit of googling and can't find any reports of a new kitten being mauled or worse by an older cat, although it is clearly something a lot of people are nervous about.

I'm thinking if I get two they'll mind their own business a bit more and pester him less!

My friend has offered to have them back if it doesn't work out, but it could be tricky not to get too attached.

The cat is not really a hell-raiser, he's just a big cat who has grown up in the countryside as very much master of all he surveys. The neighbours who complained about him made the mistake (and they admit this) of feeding him a couple of times before they got their own cats, so he probably felt them to be a direct invasion of his territory. Otherwise there are no cats around, but plenty of rabbits, and he makes short work of them ...

Ho hum, the kittens are ready, I need to make a decision! [aaarrgggh]

OP posts:

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 03/09/2012 16:05

And yes, I've known about the kittens since they were born, but my husband said no. Suddenly now he's saying maybe!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 03/09/2012 17:04

Actually, in my experience, if you get two, they'll gang up and pester him more! (Not that he would necessarily get aggressive - might just biff them gently or walk away.)

It's a difficult one. You know your own cat best and have seen how he reacts to life in general. One thing to consider though is that if the kittens have to go to a new home, it's probably better that they go to one and are not pushed on to a second if things don't work out. They're very adaptable at that age but..... (Also not might be that easy to find a home for them once they're a few months old.)

Ho Hum -your call, I'm afraid.

FreckledLeopard · 03/09/2012 17:10

Our existing female, neutered cat was always timid, loving, non-confrontational. We've had our brother-and-sister kittens for two months now and she still LOATHES them. Swipes at them, hisses, growls and keeps as far away from them as possible. Feliway has done absolutely nothing. Consequently, am not sure that there's much rhyme or reason as to why an older cat will or won't take to new kittens. So can't really give you any advice at all, but will watch the thread with interest....

cozietoesie · 03/09/2012 17:50

I suspect they can cope with one kitten far better than two.

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/09/2012 19:31

You could put him on Zylkene for a few days, might give him a runny tummy but it calms them down a bit.

Our cat was off his furry face on the first dose.

cozietoesie · 03/09/2012 20:49

fluffy

Your boy seems a bit of a bad lot to have some issues?

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 03/09/2012 20:57

I think the current plan is that my friend will bring one kitten around tomorrow and we can gauge reactions. If he goes absolutely wild, I'm guessing it's not meant to be, but if he takes it in his stride, it may be worth pursuing further ...

OP posts:

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 03/09/2012 20:57

Thanks for all the help. I'll keep you posted!

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/09/2012 21:00

Bengal F3 ishoos!

cozietoesie · 03/09/2012 21:23

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 04/09/2012 18:59

Well, I said I keep you posted. My friend actually brought both kittens around and we introduced them to our cat. If anything, he was nervous, and just hissed and ran off. I thought we wouldn't see him for a bit but he came back a couple of hours later, went straight for their food (they were curled up in their box next to the food) and got hissed at so ran off again. But he didn't run so fast that we couldn't catch him up and give him a few cuddles and tell him we still loved him. And he had a bit of a purr and a play.

Now he's off again, but that's not unusual, and we appear to have two new kittens who are currently fast asleep! Which is not fair as I want to play!

Time will tell how we get on but first impressions are that we'll be OK.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 04/09/2012 19:30

Ooh that's good, maybe I should try that.

dikkertjedap · 04/09/2012 21:52

Just be careful, and I won't leave him on his own with the kittens for a little while ...

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 05/09/2012 06:39

No, I won't. Fortunately we have enough space that we can keep them relatively separate. Until the kittens are more confident they'll be pretty contained anyway. If we let them loose we might never find them.

The older cat didn't show up last night for his food (we feed him last thing at night) but was lurking in the garden this morning and came when I called. So he's had a cuddle and some more food and slunk off again. I half expected not to see him for days so I'm happy that he's still showing up!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 05/09/2012 08:12

Well that sounds promising.

Lots of love/cuddles/food treats to the older cat for the duration of course so that he doesn't feel his nose is out joint. If he looks hesitant, you might also consider designating a room in the house as 'his' place so that he knows he's still wanted and can go there if necessary to escape the Terrible Twosome.

Good luck with them all.

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 05/09/2012 10:00

And now, with the kittens safely ensconsed in the kitchen, my big old bruiser has come and curled up with me in the living room while I work. This never happens!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 05/09/2012 10:09

Aww. He wants love and reassurance.

Looks pretty good so far.

Original poster

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 05/09/2012 10:16

I've put a pic on my profile. Not sure if it works or not ...

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 05/09/2012 10:27

Yep - it's loaded now.

What a pair of imps!

Fluffycloudland77 · 05/09/2012 16:28

Very sweet, is one a tortie?

Flip

1 2