Any advice for introducing new kitten to our cat?

[8251peacock]

We currently have one cat, not long turned 10. Very home loving, is free to come and go as she pleases but rarely goes out for more than 10 minutes. Friendly to us but shy with visitors. Fair enough, so am I 😆

We are getting a new kitten in two weeks (exciiiiiited) and I’ve been trying to read up on introducing them but seeing conflicting advice. Do we just get on with it and let them do their thing? Or is this a big mistake and we need to be more careful? New kitten is also a girl, which we will neuter of course. Cat was neutered as a kitten also, if this makes any difference!

I just want them to be friends! 💛

I wouldn’t introduce a kitten to a 10 year old cat. The older cat could very well become upset and aggressive, and start soiling the house or just move out altogether.

Over the years, I have frequently introduced new kittens to existing resident cats. It has always worked out well in the end. We are currently a week into introducing a pair of 19 week old boys into our existing family. We have a 7 year old boy and a pair of 2 year old sisters and a 7 year old dog. Take things slowly and ensure that you have a space for each cat to be out of the way of each other. Don't force any interaction. Let them decide on their own terms what their relationship will be and how quickly it will progress. Feliway friends pheromone plug in seems to be helping one of our 2 year olds who is struggling to adapt a bit.

Thank you @Caaarrrl , that’s somewhat reassuring! Our current one is pretty easy going and I really feel like she could do with the company. We just went on holiday and I don’t feel she’d cope with a cattery so my mum just comes in to feed her every day when we aren’t here, but she was definitely lonely. Maybe I’m kidding myself but we’ll see! I work from home full time so I’m always here, which I feel better about as I’ll be able to oversee the early days and make sure they both behave!

Be prepared that they may not actually ever be friends! I've had and still have cats that happily tolerate each other, but do not choose to be near each other. I've also got a pair that adore each other. The 7 year old boy and one of the 2 year old girls adore each other. They cuddle up together and groom each other. The sister of the 2 year old does not particularly get on with either of them! They all just find their own space over time. Good luck with the kitten!

We've never had any issues introducing kittens to resident cats - and we've done it multiple times over the years.

Our current collection are 8, 3 and 16 weeks - all males. We got the kitten as a semi-feral abandoned farm kitten - after about 48 hours of suspicion, our 8yo licked the kitten and ever since they've been the best of friends.

We've never done slow introductions and just put the kitten in with the others - we do separate at night/when we're out but during the day they've always just been left to get on with things.

Never had a fight or any problems with inappropriate urination or stress.

Yes @cinnamonfrenchtoast, it isn't a problem is it? Our introductions at the moment are going really slowly because one of our resident girls is being really nervous with them so we don't want to upset her.

Yes @Caaarrrl it obviously depends on your resident cats and their temperament. Ours are surprisingly chilled out with other cats so we've never really had an issue.

There's the odd hiss or swipe but nothing that's ever concerned me. Our 3yo and 16 week old are now partners in crime

Mine hated them for about 6 months. Refused to be in the same room as them . They get on fine now although they never cuddle up together like some do. They do work together to ward off neighbourhood cats though!

We've just done this. First advice check out Jackson Galaxy on YouTube on how to do it. (Hes's quite annoying but his process of gradual intros with positive associations works).
Basically he recommends keeping the cats apart (kitten in one base camp room) for a period of days/ weeks and feeding cats either side of the door so big cat is aware of kitten but gets good stuff in their presence. Move on to feeding in visual contact (but not physical). Finally feeding in the same area without a barrier. From then always distract big cat with good stuff ( dreamies, toys) in kitten's presence until they stop any sign of aggression.
It worked-ish with our 2 and we've reached a level of grudging tolerance as long as kitten doesn't get within swiping distance of big cat.
Enjoy your new baby!

We've just introduced a kitten to a 15 month old cat and she's just starting to warm to the kitten

We had two kittens then decided to rescue their mum as well. It started off very badly and we were on the verge of rehoming the mum but we were going on holiday.

Whilst we were away my mum looked after them. In the day the cat had one room and the kittens had another room. When my mum was there they were able to mix if they wanted to. At night they swapped rooms. She did this for the week we were away and when we returned there was no problem!