Hey everyone!! My Husband and I are thinking getting another little one so our one year old boy Salem can have a playmate. He's a VERY loving, playful cat but out concern is that Salem has had pretty much RULED this house since we've had him and were just afraid that if we bring a kitten home He'll get upset, angry. We were also thinking to bring Salem with us when we go to a shelter and maybe put them together and see how they react... but then again it'll be different once they get home. I just don't want to put stress to my Cat or any other kitten. Any ideas?
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
New Kitten?
(19 posts)-
-
Hi Salem! I'm sort of in the same boat as you. We have been considering getting Leela a sibling. Leela is quite the spitfire and I have no idea how she will react to a newbie. However, Jiggs was a year younger than Shaddo and I vaguely remember some rumblings in the beginning (this goes back over 17 years) and we separated them when we weren't around to supervise them so Shaddo didn't beat little Jiggs up, who eventually grew to be much bigger than his big brother! After this rocky start, they became inseperable. Good luck!
Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #
-
Salem, taking your cat with you would be very stressful for him. Anytime you introduce another cat/kitten the existing cat is going to be upset. I have 5 furry love bugs and introductions are always "interesting". I highly recommend Salem having a playmate and would suggest setting your new kitty up in a bathroom or other room for a while and letting them get used to each others scent for a while before the actual introductions. Also you will want to have the new kitty checked by a vet for any illnesses that could be transmitted to Salem before they are introduced.
Posted 2 years ago by Crazycatman - CA #
-
I think furry playmates are a great thing... but as others have said, it is the introductions that take time and patience. Start new kit in a bathroom or something, where they can sniff each other under the door, and after new kit is used to you and the new surroundings, switch areas - put Salem in the bathroom and the other in the rest of the house. They get used to the scent of each other even more, but don't need to meet face to face... do the "trading places" several times over several days, and then do a face to face, perhaps with new kit in a carrier with a grate. Then advance to no crate, but with two human handlers, one for each. Then supervised free roaming for short periods, and then, hopefully, they will be best buds. Do not be surprised if there is hissing and a few swats exchanged... but if claws come out - separate and slow down. Some have found a Feliway infuser (kitty pheremones) to help keep things calm.... Go for it, and post the results here!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
-
CCM is right...it would be far too stressful to take Salem to the shelter. With a new kitten there will be an adjustment period and needs a slow introduction...But after time, they will become friends! It is very doubtful that at first glance they will like each other no matter what, so pick the kitty you and you hubby would like and Salem will learn to accept him/her but it likely wont be right away.
-
Not a good idea to take Salem with you and I'd be surprised if the shelter let you bring him in! What everyone else said is true, Salem should have a pal and now is a great time to get him one, but pick the kitten that appeals to you and let Salem adjust slowly. Salem may surprise you and take right to the kitten, nutered males are usually a lot more laid back about territory than females. But expect some hissing and growling, maybe a whack or two to establish superiority, but they'll probably be wrestling playfully in no time.
Posted 2 years ago by DancingCatHill #
-
-
Introducing a new cat to one already established in your home is about establishing territory and dominance. Your home and the people in it are Salem's territory and he will not look kindly on any new interloper at first. It is important to give a lot of attention to Salem as well as to the new kitten. NC's advice is right on target. Take it slowly and watch how they react to one another to figure out when they are ready to roam freely together through the house.
We introduced a 9-month-old kitten to our 3-year-old sister cats in March. They were able to get along well together after about a week. The 9-month-old seems to be at the top of the pecking order, which is pretty funny. :)
Please click on my avatar to see photos of my three kits.
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
-
Everyone Thank You so very much for all your comments and support... As of right now were just talking about it.. and I'll def keep you guys updated on what we decide to do! And if we do decided to we well Def not take Salem with us.. the last thing we want to do is upset out boy!! <3
Thanks again everyone! =)
-
I'd get a female if I were you..the whole territory thing with two males..really crazy. I member when I got nala and brought her home to my oldest...well cottenball was NOT happy with me! We had nala in my room and cottenball wouldn't go anywhere NEAR my door. I'd get a female to play with your male.
-
I've had MANY cats over the years, and I always believe in a (at least) two cat household.....I've had 2 girls, boy/girl and 2 boys..... in my humble experience, I find that the males took "better" to a new cat than the females do.... they are somewhat "territorial" at first, but to me, their personalities are more accepting..... it's like they finally decide "oh whatever, come on over little guy"!! LOL..... and maybe it's just Cuddles, but she (13) has NEVER taken to Abby (4), even after 4 yrs........ but of course, Cuddles doesn't take to anyone! .... she just wants to be Queen Bee... luckily, Abby seems to understand this, and pretty much avoids her... they have never "gotten into it", but if they pass within 2' of each other, Cuddles hisses and growls (still)..... on the other hand, my big male Buc was so happy to have a "little buddy", that when I brought him a little brother home, it took about a week, and they were fast friends..... they would curl up together, so that it looked like a big blob of black and white fur with two heads...... they were inseparatable for 15 yrs.......
.... I would also recommend a cat maybe 9 mos. or older, up to 3-4 yrs old. These slightly older cats already have developed personalities, so when you go see them, you should be able to pick out one that has a gentle and accepting nature...... people are so "kitten" crazy that they tend to overlook the slightly older cats, when in reality, you never really never quite know how the kitten will turn out to be until it grows up somewhat...... a nice and friendly 1 or 2 yrs old cat, would probably be the perfect "playmate" for Salem, especially if they are already used to other cats..... they will know how to make Salem feel more comfortable instinctively....
... best of luck and keep us posted!
-
-
I've been worrying about this problem too. I just got a companion for miso! I got a girl, even though I know a boy would probably have presented less problems. It's been less than 24 hours, and so far it's not going well, though I expected that. I tried to home a beautiful young adult tortie with miso last january, but it was a disaster, as miso wasn't even spayed yet and the new cat must have looked enormous. This kitten is 6 weeks old, a tiny tortie, absolutely stunning by the way. Miso has been hissing and spitting - she struck out at the little one's carrier in passing, claws extended. Obviously I'm keeping them separate, and the new baby is doing great, eating all round her and playing madly with me. She also purrs very loudly when I come into the room. miso has just been diagnosed with asthma, and is on steroids. I know it's maybe not the best time for her to have a new companion, but I'm a teacher and have some time now to settle the new kitten in, which is why I waited till now. Isn't there something about rubbing one of the my teeshirts which already has miso's scent on the new kitten and placing this by miso's bed?
-
After another day or so, you could put the kitten in a carrier and move her out of the room she is in now (temp) and let Miso into that space. Close her in for a while and let kitten out in Miso's space. I would also try a Feliway diffuser to help calm Miso... it could take a week or two to fully introduce them... After a few environmental exchanges, you might try a face to face with kitten in the carrier... and then eventually in open. I would not leave them alone together until you are sure the kitten will be safe. Good luck!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
-
-
Eleniki, here is the Feliway website: http://www.feliway.com/gb
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
-
-
There is another product called Bach's Rescue Remedy that some TDKers use for the same reason. It is added to the drinking water. Here is an article about it: http://www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/bach.htm
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
-
When they are in the same space, you probably want to have a second litter pan so that they can each use whenever they want... and Miso can't prevent kitten from getting to it... Good luck!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
Reply
You must log in to post.