Rehome my new kittens?

[LimeLemonOrange]

I'm trying to make a difficult decision today, whether to rehome my new kittens.

My older cat is not happy to have them in the house and it's impractical to keep them separate long term. The kittens need to be able to explore, not be trapped in one room.

I've tried intros but they were not successful. Last night my older cat was furious with me for having space swapped and had the kittens in my bedroom (usually my older cat's space). She growled and swiped at me and I felt a bit worried she might attack me in the night (she slept next to me last night).

In all honesty I'd rather rehome her and keep the kittens. She's a grumpy rescue cat and refuses to be picked up or groomed and her long fur gets very matted. I have to take her to be sedated to get the matted fur shaved off, and the vet always tells me off! I'm quite a softie and I wonder if someone who is more physically brave would be better able to don gloves and groom her.

Having said that, it feels very cruel to her to rehome her (she's ten), the kittens will more easily adapt to (and find) a new home, so I think the right thing to do is rehome them.

It's hard, the kids will be gutted, they love having kittens that are well socialised and can be stroked and picked up, unlike our older cat who looks nice but won't interact with them.

Any thoughts or advice? Would you rehome the kittens?

If your cat is in the state the the OP describes her cat to be In than I'm afraid your the stupid one as it basically describes a stray feral cat. Not a loving pet.

Er no @12345ct. It's definitely you that's the stupid one. PinkSparklyPussycat and Bodgeitandscarper were both completely correctly and your posts have been utterly stupid and clueless.

We had to introduce an older cat to 2 kittens. It was a nightmare at the beginning and we were close to giving the older cat to my parents as we thought it was not working. However we had a two week holiday booked and over those two weeks my mum and sister visited the cats twice a day. So in the day the cat had access to the office and lounge and kittens had the kitchen. At night the kittens had the kitchen and lounge and the cat had the office. When my DM and DSis visited they spent time with all three in the lounge closely supervising. They did this every day for two weeks. When we returned we had three happy and settled cats!!!!!

ChipstickCharlie and Ludo19 - what's your view on the other posts from people who have successfully introduced kittens to older cats? Are they stupid and thoughtless too? If my cat eventually accepts the kittens and they all live happily, will it still have been a mistake?

In your opinion should cat owners never get more than the one or two cats they originally homed?

Just curious to understand the differing viewpoints and approaches.

Am more than happy to admit I've made an error. First to admit that!

I adore my older cat I just get very frustrated by the grooming situation and her grumpiness. Her grumpiness means my husband and two sons have had a very bad impression of cats. I wanted kittens so I could show my sons how rewarding cats can be. Before getting the kittens I came here to MN to ask advice and all the people who posted said yes, get the kittens, it'll be fine.

I feel very guilty when older cat gets into such a bad way with the matting and wonder whether she'd be better with someone who is more brave with grooming. I'd never be able to grab her in a tea towel and hold her down to get the job done, but maybe someone else would? I'd miss her terribly if she was rehomed.

Honestly op, just give it time; I have taken in several cats in need, including complete and semi ferals. They all adapted given time and careful introductions, including two males who fought initially.

Sorry, I shouldn't have implied you were stupid so apologies for that

I think anyone who introduces kittens to an existing cat is asking for issues, yes. Of course people have multiple cat households and they're fine but generally speaking, cats prefer to live alone. That's a fact. They're territorial and they won't take kindly to newcomers - this leads to behavioural issues which you probably don't want - weeing indoors etc

However you've done it now so you'll have to make best of the situation. I'd ensure your rescue cat has her own places to go but I'd also start to encourage some sort of interaction. Maybe feeding them together (separate bowls and distances of course!) and letting them be in the same room for a short while when you're there

You adore her and would miss her terribly, but in your opening post said you’d rather keep kittens you’ve had a week than her. Hmm.

Anyway, I agree to persevere with the introductions. They will all settle down and learn to either love, or ignore each other.

Keep persevering OP! Personally, I wouldn't introduce kittens with an existing cat (our lad starts fights with most other cats) but perhaps once the kittens have calmed down it will be easier. I do believe it to be a lengthy process.
@12345ct do you know the definition of a feral cat? I don't think the Litter Tray or having a cat is right for you so bye bye.

My parents old rescue loathed the new kitten, hissed, tried to bite etc FOR MONTHS

Fast forward a while and he would let her curl up with him in his basket, lick him and rub up against him when she came in from being out. He loved her by the end which astounded us all

Also make sure (as best you can give with a grumpy cat) you give as much love and attention to the older cat as the kittens as I know in same cases cats can get quite jealous.

But yes, just work at it, give it time because one week is nothing, and they will learn to get along okay.

When I was a kid we had an older very grumpy cat and then a few years on we got a kitten. She turned out to be the most docile cat but she learnt pretty quick off her own back to stay out of his way and it was fine.

It's been great to hear various people's experiences, tips and stories. I really appreciate all your posts, most of them have been very helpful and helped me realise it's a longer term mission to bring cat and kittens together.

I'm no longer worried about the situation - many of you have helped me understand it's something that can be fixed with time and patience, thank you so much.

I find it odd and kind of amusing that some posters get so judgy from one hastily written OP! It'd be a very long post if I wrote all my emotions into it, or wrote my entire back story with my older cat! I just wanted to present the quick facts while I was in panic mode and get some help from people with more cat experience than me. Thankfully I've had plenty of that, which has been great.

I'm fascinated by human behaviour and am genuinely curious to know what people get out of coming to the internet and shouting at people. Those of you who said I'm selfish / not an animal lover / other insults - what do you aim to achieve by saying those things? Do you just do it as a hobby?! Does it feel fun or enjoyable? Don't you have better things to do? A cat to stroke?! Or are you hero cat defenders roaming the internet ready to leap on people if there's the slight whiff of a lack of loyalty to a cat?!

I got kittens 3 years ago, I had an older pedigree cat she’s a bit crabbit too.
I just introduced slowly and I just gave the 2 girls now as my boy kitten passed away but older girl grooms and fusses over 3 yr old cat they get on fine am sure it’ll work out