Morning Greetings!
In a week or two we are getting a new kitten.
We have a 7yr old cat who is just terrible to any type of cat that comes around the house. This cat, while an older kitten about six yrs ago, got used to a younger kitten, but was really rotten while getting use to him.
Well, when that younger kitten turned 5, took off and left us during a household cross country move, never to return.
Now, two years after that, we are getting this new kitten.
How am I gonna get my 7yr old cat again use to another cat in the house? She is older now and may not be as "accepting" of a new cat as she was when younger.
My current cat is a huge hunter and Im afraid she will be so jealous and hunt down the new kitten. I plan on keeping them seperate for much of the first week or two, but how do I increase their time together and help them accept each other?
I also would like some tips on how to make this new kitten feel at home and not upset about leaving the litter and mom.
Thanks for whatever advise you can offer!
Sending Kind Regards,
RTH
In a week or two we are getting a new kitten.
We have a 7yr old cat who is just terrible to any type of cat that comes around the house. This cat, while an older kitten about six yrs ago, got used to a younger kitten, but was really rotten while getting use to him.
Well, when that younger kitten turned 5, took off and left us during a household cross country move, never to return.
Now, two years after that, we are getting this new kitten.
How am I gonna get my 7yr old cat again use to another cat in the house? She is older now and may not be as "accepting" of a new cat as she was when younger.
My current cat is a huge hunter and Im afraid she will be so jealous and hunt down the new kitten. I plan on keeping them seperate for much of the first week or two, but how do I increase their time together and help them accept each other?
I also would like some tips on how to make this new kitten feel at home and not upset about leaving the litter and mom.
Thanks for whatever advise you can offer!
Sending Kind Regards,
RTH
Your idea of keeping them separate for awhile is good....I'd start out by keeping your kitten in a bedroom, with the door shut, when your older cat is around. Let the older cat go up to the door and sniff and meow and make a fuss if he feels the need to. Let the kitten out to explore when the older cat isn't around. If you have a baby gate, maybe after a few days of not letting the cats see each other, you could put that up so they'd still be separate, but not allowed to really interact. By this time, you'll have had a chance to observe your new kitten's behavior patterns, so you'll know when he or she is most mellow and quiet. That's the time you should let the cats meet for real. Oh, and above all else, GET THEM SEPARATE LITTER BOXES!!!!! Cats do NOT like to share in most cases, and since you know your older cat has problems with other cats, I'd say it goes double in your cases. Also, try and feed them at separate times, in separate food dishes,so no one eats anyone else's food. Good luck! 
