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The litter tray

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

Original poster

Older Cats and kittens

61 replies

LavenderRain · 02/08/2015 08:03

Hi. Does anyone have any positive stories about introducing a kitten into a home where an older cat lives?
We are on the verge of getting a kitten but im now really worried what effect it will have on my lovely 10 year old boy.
Am I being cruel? Will they hate each other? Im so torn......

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StrumpersPlunkett · 05/08/2015 22:57

Ps we use feliway spot on for our current cat as she gets car sick it has worked wonders for that. She still shits everywhere in her box but no longer foams at the mouth and vomits. Poor girl we do keep car journeys to an absolute minimum

Original poster
LavenderRain · 05/08/2015 23:11

I love Derek and Bernie!!

Our kitty was named Jess by DS tonight. He's a 6ft 3 teen but he is so soppy over her ! Grin
I had to get her a collar with a bell today so that we know where she is!
Im scared someone will tread on her!

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Original poster
LavenderRain · 05/08/2015 23:12

The vet recommend a plug in feliway. I may give it a go.

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StrumpersPlunkett · 05/08/2015 23:31

Aw live the idea of man/child going goey over the kitten ????

cyclerunmum · 06/08/2015 05:13

Jess was one of our possible names too Lavender :)

I almost trapped Betty in the fridge door, then nearly fell over backwards when she got under my feet, I can foresee an accident happening soon Grin . She is so small, she just appears out of nowhere, especially when I am cooking in the kitchen, so not only do I have to contend with the most food driven dog in the world under my feet, I now have a silent (sometimes!) tiny black shadow to watch out for.

Good job I am loving it really!

Original poster
LavenderRain · 06/08/2015 06:02

I get you cyclerunmum
She is like a stealth cat Grin last night couldn't find her anywhere and she was sat in a plant pot Grin

She sat on my lap yesterday and old boy gingerly tried to get on too but jess made her jump, so we are back to square one! Old boy woke me up at 5 this morning trying to climb out of our bedroom window Confused
Hes never done that before

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Original poster
LavenderRain · 11/08/2015 10:53

Little update:
We have had kitten for a week now. Her and old boy will sit in the same room. Old boy has been playing in her 'play tunnel' and using her scratching post (he never used one when he was a kitten!!)
When they meet now they touch noses every time! I'm not sure if this is a friendly thing or not but it looks cuteSmile
Old boy still would rather sit in the garden in the sun having some peacebut I think we are on the right path! There has been no hissing.

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StrumpersPlunkett · 11/08/2015 16:45

That sounds SO positive!! How snuggly is kitten?

Original poster
LavenderRain · 11/08/2015 17:53

Kitten is very snuggly! She runs around like mad thing then cries to be picked up and cuddled. She sucks my dressing gown!

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StrumpersPlunkett · 11/08/2015 20:49

Oooh can hardly wait for the twins to come home tomorrow!!

Original poster
LavenderRain · 12/08/2015 11:18

Have they arrived strumpers?? Are they still Derek and Bernie?!

Photos ASAP please Grin

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StrumpersPlunkett · 12/08/2015 11:23

3.30!!!!!!!
She out with kids at pets at home now buying more stuff for them.......eeeeeeek
Eric and Ernie will be tried but I do feel they will morph into some other names. Squee dining room all set up as a nursery for them so they can get used to us before meeting older cat hope this is the right thing to do.

Original poster
LavenderRain · 12/08/2015 15:30

Good luck strumpers you will have a busy evening!
I was abit fearful that I had done the wrong thing with kitty and old boy but so far so good. Just take things slowly and enjoy! Smile

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StrumpersPlunkett · 12/08/2015 17:08

Squeeeeee they are scrummy
Eric was sick in the car and pooed everywhere but Ernie was v chilled.
Good that they are so little as Eric submitted to having his bum washed with little fuss.

Older Cats and kittens
Older Cats and kittens
Original poster
LavenderRain · 12/08/2015 20:02

Omg they are gorgeous!

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StrumpersPlunkett · 12/08/2015 20:14

Eeek I know but then all 8 week kittens are!!

Original poster
LavenderRain · 12/08/2015 22:34

Hows it going strumpers ?

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StrumpersPlunkett · 13/08/2015 08:07

Brilliant so far
Older cat knows they are here she has seen them and not moved and not hissed or run away.... The boys are however totally awesome!!!!

StrumpersPlunkett · 13/08/2015 08:08

How are things at yours?

Original poster
LavenderRain · 13/08/2015 12:19

That's good news, all calm here at present!
Kitty is getting more courageous and tried to pounce on old boy last night as he strolled past.
Old boy just looked at her like Confused
I won't pretend they are best mates but old boy tolerates her and no hissing!
I just let old boy have his space and Dreamies and keep the mad kitty with me Grin

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Original poster
LavenderRain · 15/08/2015 08:44

To everyone who is introducing a new kitty to older cats, can I ask how its going? We are 11 days in and although theres been no fighting I feel sad for old boy. He would rather be outside which is so not like him. Yesterday he sat outside in the rain Sad
He comes in when hes hungry and will be in the same room as kitty but kitty just chases him. I think hes pissed off! He wont sit on my lap, even when kitty is shut in her room......
any tips gratefully received!

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Fridaynamechanger · 15/08/2015 08:54

I don't know if my advice is too late but I have some cat experience. If you haven't introduced them already try to do it where they can see each other but not get to each other. We had a crate for the kitten, like people use for puppy training. Also feed the older cat the smelliest, most tasty food you can find. This will help mask the scent of the kitten. When you are happy, do the feeding again without the crate a few times until you are certain the cat won't attack the kitten.
older cats usually take ok to kittens, introducing another older cat is more tricky. However it is very likely to affect the older cats personality in someway as they will either become more dominant or submissive. Our old cat was totally dominated by the kitten and we never saw him. Unfortunately the kitten died and oit cat is back to sitting on laps.
Good luck.

Fridaynamechanger · 15/08/2015 08:58

X post lavender. This was our experience too I'm afraid. We let the cat upstairs and not the kitten to try and give him some space but the kitten eventually just went to find him and annoy him.
Get lots of toys to keep the kitten busy. Have you seen the motorised ones that have an arm that swings round?
I felt sorry for my cat. I know he felt like I do when my 3 dcs wont leave me alone Smile

Original poster
LavenderRain · 15/08/2015 10:28

Thanks for replying. I took the introduction slowly kept kitten in a room for 3 days and let old boy sniff and see her in a cage.
old boy hasnt growled or spat atall but just walks away as kitten just wants to play. She will run up to old cat but stop short before jumping him. They were at the touching noses stage but kitten just seems abit too boistrous for old cat at the mo.
old cat has just had a few dreamies this morning, didn't want breakfast and is now on daughters bed where kitten isnt allowed.
Its all so stressful!

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StrumpersPlunkett · 15/08/2015 11:57

Oh lavender. I hope things improve for you.
Once kitten realises that old boy is boss it should be better.
We haven't really let the kittens out of the dining room yet except for specific cuddles. Eek

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