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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.

New kitten and adult cat, how to introduce?

2 replies

DumpedByText · 10/09/2022 23:01

We're rescuing a kitten, we are collecting it next week and we only have a hooded litter tray for our adult cat and their bowls (I have extras to).

Do we need another tray or will they share. How do we introduce them to each other and do we keep them separate. We have a Feliway plug in, I will get toys and a new bed for the kitten.

Anything else, I've had cats for years but not kittens for a long time so not clued up anymore.

OP posts:
Marshmallowmountain · 10/09/2022 23:08

Initially a separate tray each, but over time can go down to one if they’re okay with it.

To introduce:

  • when you bring kitten home give her her own room, keep her in this room for the first week or so. She will feel safe and secure in there
  • stroke kitten and then go to stroke cat without washing hands in-between and vice versa (can also use a cloth to do this) to transfer scent
  • feed the kitten and cat on opposite sides of the closed door so they start to associate being fed with the other cat I.e. other cat is a good thing!
  • let them play paws under the door
  • once kitten is comfortable and happy in her room, probably a few days in, you can put her in her carrier and very slightly open the door to the room so the cats can see each other but not get anywhere near each other
  • gradually increase the amount they can see and how close they can get
  • Put kitten in carrier and allow existing cat in to room to inspect and sniff around, do this a couple of times once the kittens been there a few days
  • once you’ve done these steps a few times and kitten is comfortable at home and with you, allow them to meet
  • dont be upset if they don’t get on initially. It can take weeks or even months!
  • keep them sleeping separately at night until they get on
  • put kitten in room on her own when you go out until they get on

good luck! Please share kitten photos 🐱

mountainsunsets · 11/09/2022 09:20

I've never done any of this slow introduction/scent swapping business.

Kitten comes in in my arms. I sit down on the sofa and other cats come and have a sniff - maybe there's the odd hiss but nothing major. Kitten is shown the food, water and trays and then plonked on the floor with supervision from me and DH and left to get on with it.

We do separate at night and while we're out for a few weeks just in case (and to give the older ones some space from being jumped on) but we've never had a fight or any kind of problem doing it this way.

The current lot are 7, 6 and 2 now - none related and they all get on like a house on fire.

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