Introducing a kitten to our lovely old boy

[Cuppatea14]

Hi all, hoping you knowledgeable folk can help. We have a gorgeous nine year old cat that we have had since he was around 3. He was initially very timid and withdrawn but is now just a lovely gent, brilliant with our two girls who’ve arrived subsequently and an all round softy. We’ve agreed to take a new kitten, she’ll be arriving next weekend. She’s around 12 weeks old and spayed, and is a timid little thing also so we’re hoping will be compatible. Any tips on how to introduce her to our old boy please?

I always use a dog pen for introducing new cats. The new cat goes in a dog pen in a high traffic area of the house. The pen has a litter tray and some sort of enclosed bed or cardboard box for hiding in. Then the cats can all get used to each other while feeling relatively safe. The amount of time I do it for depends on the reactions. Normally between one and three weeks. I let the newcomer out of the cage regularly when other cats are shut out.

Be prepared for it to take a while. Cats are so sensitive to change.

Is there any particular reason why you’re bringing another cat into the household when things are so settled at the moment? I would worry that your existing cat would be very upset by the new arrival.

Thanks, we don’t have a dog pen available but could probably keep the kitten in a separate room while the bigger cat is around the house, and introduce them very gradually. What’s the best thing to do with litter trays and food bowls etc, we will buy kitten her own but should they be put far away from the existing cat’s?

Just thought i’d post a quick update.
Kitten arrived on Friday and old boy is doing great, she does have him plagued looking to play but he is very tolerant and just ignores her for the most part. Think he is quite relieved that the two kids have something new to focus on! Kitten is a wee lunatic, bombing around the house and climbing the Christmas tree, the kids are delighted with her.

They spayed the kitten before 12 weeks?

Glad to hear that he is accepting her.

I've just googled it and they can spay kittens at 8 weeks old! I've learnt something new today.