Will getting a kitten distress our existing cat.

[Didiplanthis]

Hello. We are considering getting a kitten ( litter of a friend ) but are wary of upsetting dcat, she is a fairly young cat and used to happily be around neighbours cats until a new one moved in and beat her up, I think she is pretty submissive. She always used to get into bed with our old dog. I know cats are generally considered solitary animals but so many people have 2 or more it must work out ok sometimes. However is that for the owners benefit rather than the cats ? Her needs come first. We have a decent amount of space and a lot of outdoor space for them to get away from each other if needed. Any advice please ?

Over the last 35 years we've always regarded 3 cats as optimum!

Originally, we were guilted into 3 over a period of 2 years:
1st was a female rescued by my flat mate - she didn't get on with her existing male cat, so moved into my bedroom.

2nd was a male kitten rescued by another flatmate at 3days old, we all blamed aforementioned male (he was promptly neutered), mother cat had deserted 3 kittens - between us we hand reared them, somehow one became mine!

We moved....

3rd cat was another male, after a year, neighbors moved away, leaving a male cat because "the new house wasn't suitable ", actually, he didn't match the new decor. (He was a v expensive pedigree from Harrods)

In all, we've had 15 cats over 35 years, always 2 boys and 1girl, never really had a problem. Some become really pally, some ignore each other.

Personally, I'd go for a male kitten, if possible (neuter asap) and let your female teach him who's boss. There's plenty of advice on here about introducing cats.

They'll soon settle, you never know they could become best friends.

It really depends on your cat. I have introduced new kittens to resident cats with no problem at all, apart from a couple of days hissing and general stand-offs. However, I did have one cat who barely tolerated his own sister. There would have been no way I could have introduced a new cat/kitten into the house whilst I had him. He was very cat aggressive (and used to beat up any passing dogs who used to walk past the house!) but he loved people.

Your cat sounds like she is a gentle girl and would enjoy some company. I say go for it!

Im watching this with interest as i want to do the same thing. Mine keeps trying to go into next doors flat to play with theirs and i know they are getting annoyed.

Our old cat's not keen on the newer one. Mainly it's because he teases and taunts her and tries to get her to play with him. No interest

If he leaves her alone they're ok. But her default setting when he comes up to her is a hiss or a growl

If you get a kitten from a rescue centre I have found they often have a pretty good idea which kittens would be confident enough to be homed with a resident cat. I have always got 2 kittens at a time as I found they play with each other rather than bothering the resident cat too much at first so I too have usually had 3 cats at a time.

My current two were introduced to my then female 12 year old cat. She looked at them with total disinterest to start with but once they had found their courage they loved to snuggle up next to her. They are also best friends with the cat next door but are petrified of a tiny little female who is half their size who lives on the other side!

Here is a photo of one of my ginger boys with my female cat a few months after they arrived. You can see how close they became. Sadly my gorgeous girl had to be PTS a couple if years ago and they really missed her. I'm also attaching a photo of my current ginger boys with their friend from next door. Again you can see how well they all get on.

I came to ask the very same question! we have two old cats - aged 16, m/f, same litter. They're lively for their age, still hunt and in great physical nick but the male in particular is very territorial. I don't know if it's cruel to them to get a kitten? I have a notion that the girl will "mother" a kitten but in reality she'll probably be delighted to no longer be at the bottom of the cat hierarchy and have someone to play with.
Is it really selfish to get a kitten in those circumstances?

I'll let you know in about an hour!!

Cookie was thrilled to meet Biscuit...

Well we are home how long did you give it? I've exchanged scents and kitten is hiding so Daph hasn't seen her yet

I recently introduced a stray 4 month old kitten (male) to my 2 oldish (11 at the time, now nearly 12) brothers. I didn't plan it, but I couldn't turn away the kitten.

I wouldn't say either old cat wanted the kitten, but neither of them has completely rejected him either. They have all been together 7 months now and generally tolerate each other, especially now that the warmer weather is here and they are outside all the time.

One word of caution though: neither of my oldies has had health issues before, but within weeks of getting the kitten, one had conjunctivitis, both (separately) had pancreatitis, and one had a mystery illness which involved limping and not eating and generally he did seem depressed. But then, my son, who is his favourite had left for uni around the same time too. As I said, they all seem ok for now, but it was a stressful time for the older cats for a while.

There was lots of hissing from mine but they are just lying there staring at each other now. Do it!