Settling a new kitten in with the existing hooligan

[kittielittie]

So our fabulous little hooligan is 4 months old, off for his gentleman's op on Monday and then we are taking on an older kitten currently being fostered a little while after.

He is around 8 months, neutered and despite having a more or less feral existence until he was about 6 months he is placid, snuggly and very gentle natured.

How should we introduce the the new addition? Any advice and top tips appreciated.

I'll be pretty much at home all day every day for a week after (except school runs, pop to the supermarket etc) so will be around to help the transition fir them both.

Kitten tax - new addition on the left, existing overlord on the right

When we introduce new cats/dogs we usually just put them there and end of.
I think all this shutting them away and letting them get used to the smell first etc. is nonsense. The more of an issue you make it, the more it becomes one (at least that was my experience.
So far we have successfully intoduced a second dog to our first, then a kitten to our dogs, a second kitten to our cat and dog, and now most recently a new dog to our 2 cats (after our other dogs passed).

It hs never been an issue. They get placed in the living room and its just normal for everyone that they are there. Of course the cats were very sceptical and scared at first when our dog showed up. They lived on their cat tree for about a week. But it got better and better very quickly. They cuddle together now.

We did use a Feliway.

I've always done the shutting away and it's worked for us. A lot of scent swapping then letting new cat explore when old cat is out. Feeding by the door and gradually opening it a bit.

And then we get fed up and leave them to sort it out - there are always some scuffles to start with.

Unfortunately we can't use Feliway as I'm allergic to it but that stuff is magic.

Eventually there is a break through when old cat sees point of new cat eg new cat duffs up neighbouring cat intruding in the garden and it works out. Except at mealtimes, at mealtimes it's like they've never met before.

I was recommended to follow Jason Galaxy and watched a u tube video. It worked and they’re now best of friends.

I think the fact that you're introducing a boy cat to another boy cat is probably (in my experience) the easiest combination. Girls seem to be more territorial. New kitten has an adorable face.

I was also told boys are easier.

My latest introduction was boy to girl. Boy turned out to be very submissive to her, even though outside he is the neighbourhood thug.

She is massively territorial of the patio and warmed to him when she realised he was beating up everything in sight.

Existing kitten hasn't ventured outside yet but I can tell he's keen so thought we'd wait until after his op and see how he fairs in the garden. The rescue haven't said anything about the new boy being an indoor cat only so I'm wondering with him having been feral most of his life that it will be an impossible job to keep him in. His foster placement at the minute is an enormous indoor space and while our house is a good size detached I suspect he will want to roam.
Thanks for the suggestion of the Feliway - have ordered it. Is it ok plugged in at cat height or does it need to be out of their way like other plug ins?

All my sockets are cat height and there is nowhere in my house that is out of the way of cats!

My neighbour adopted a feral boy. Once his balls were gone he transformed into a giant softy.

I have an ex-street Arabian Mau. He loves to roam but could be taught to come home at dinner time and stays in at night although he doesn't want to Nights he is out he gets into fights and makes blood curdling shouts that wake everyone up. Indoors he is ridiculously soppy.