Will this work? Any tips?

[Popopokemon]

We have been planning to get a kitten for a while and had decided to visit a rescue place this weekend, but now a family member has asked us to look after her cat for around 6 weeks.

Is it a bad idea to take both on at the same time? If we did do it, would they miss each other once the older cat went back? The older cat is about 2years and was previously with another cat (his mum) and was quite happy.

Any advice? Thanks!

I would avoid this scenario. Introducing two strange cats takes time and patience - often more than 6 weeks. Settling one into a new home can be hard enough by itself. Better to wait till after your visiting cat has gone home before adopting a kitten.

Ah ok, thank you! Have just realised its more like 8-10 weeks but obviously those few extra weeks doesn’t change much.

Yes, bad idea.

Cats are territorial and guest cat will already be unsettled having to go into a new environment without another cat there too. It takes months for unfamiliar cats to get used to each other.

Meanwhile the kitten will also be adjusting to a new home which again, depending on the cat can take a while. I'd defer the kitten until guest cat has gone home. Bear in mind too that guest cat's scent will linger which won't help the kitten so a good clean, maybe some enzyme spray on furniture and plenty of feliway is in order.

No; you'd spend most of the time having to keep them separated, I should think. Older cats can find lively kittens deeply annoying and the kitten would be at risk of injury from a swipe or bite. You also need to preserve a calm environment for toilet training to go smoothly - cats often show stress by weeing in the wrong places, and if your kitten starts off on the wrong track, it will take longer to set him right.

Thanks for the advice. We will put the kitten idea on hold for now

I'm sure there'll be no shortage of kittens still available when your guest goes home. Would love to see a photo of guest cat and when you adopt your kitten, don't forget to post a picture here so we can all go SQUEEE !

I will do! Happy enough to do a cat test run anyway

It will be very good practice for you!