Introducing a kitten to an adult cat

[LadyFlumpalot]

Hi all, we have been thinking about getting a kitten friend for our adult cat, but a massive sticking point is worrying about they will get on.

Our existing cat is a large female Maine Coon and the kitten we are hoping to get is a common-or-garden male moggy so there will be a noticeable size difference, therefore hoping DCat won't be too threatened by the tiny scrap. DCat is neutered and the male kitten will be as well.

DCat has not taken well to being around other cats in the past, she's been to a cattery twice, first time she was fine, second time she came home with a cut nose and stress cystitis so had likely gotten into a scrap, but we are hoping that if we introduce gently and DCat is in her own safe environment that this shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Can I ask how others have gone about introducing kittens to cats? What has been your experience and how long it take for them to be settled together? Pictures included for cat tax.

Oh, good luck!

We sent our foster kittens off for adoption last week (sob), and I hope they'll have equally loving homes.

Probably incredibly outing, but sod it. Big Cat and Tiny Kitten chilling out together this morning and a bonus one of Tiny Kitten because he's lush

They are both gorgeous OP 😻

I read a good tip recently for introducing a kitten - when you do the scent swapping, put some treats on the blanket, so the cat associates the smell of the kitten with something positive.

How are they getting on, OP? Any updates?

Get some felloway friends plug ins. They help our cats not feel grumpy with each other!

Getting on really well now, playing together... well I think they are playing. I'm quite sure Big Cat is waving her tail at Tiny Kitten then running away on purpose. They even ate off the same plate (before I got there to remove Tiny Kitten) without any issues. They haven't gone so far as to snuggle, but they've slept within centimetres of each other on the sofa.

I've fallen madly in love with your gorgeous little kitten. I had two kittens brother and sister from the same litter. They get on really well and both speed. My son had a colleague who was going through a marriage breakdown and had to sell their home. He went into a shared rental house and could not take his cat. It was a Bengal male cat. My son asked if we could have it. We tried doing blanket swaps with Bengal living upstairs in my 2 son's rooms and our cats stay downstairs. We tried gradually introduction but Bengal went for my little girl cat and attacked her throat. She was terrified of him. We had to grab her to safety. Bengali had to go back to bedroom. My son bought his house 4 months later and took Bengal with him. Bengal very happy as only cat. Bengal on left. My fluffy boy in middle and little girl on the right.

So we think Tiny Kitten may be part Bengal. He's certainly got the spots and stripes.

I was worried about Big Cat taking against Tiny Kitten, not least because being a Maine Coon, one angry paw swipe would do a great deal of damage!

Bonus kitten picture 🥰

That kitten is adorable.

I'm so glad to hear that the two are getting along well. It's only a matter before they are cuddling together on the sofa, I'm sure.

If it's part Bengal, I'm sure he will hold his own. They can be let's say, very assertive.

Tiny Kitten is absolutely gorgeous 😍 Is he white or cream on his cheeks?