Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/15/2008

Question
My older boy Baron who is 5 months old is a very playful kitten but he loves to play aggressively, bite (probably teething). He plays with his toys and pounces at us but at times love to be held and sleep with me. But i though he would benefit from having a second kitten around while i cannot be with him since he really likes to play.

well i brought a kitten about 3.5-4 months old home. there wa no hissing on initial interaction. I let them see each other for a few minutes then put the new one Jiji in the bathroom.  Because Baron chased and chased and pounced and pounced until he was panting from exhaustion.

well now Baron seems depressed and has no interest in his toys (stuffed animals, roller balls in the circle) but he will play with a string or feather on a pole if the other kitten is in a different room, but will not play if the other kitten is around. He lays there. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he is unhappy. he occasionally watches the other kitten and attempts to jump out at it and vs but now a new habit of his is to go and lay in my closet ALONE. He never did that before. He always followed me around. was in whatever room i was in.

I have had the new kitten going on 3 days.

Will this behavior of depression go away after a few days? I do not want to give up  the second kitten but after 2 weeks the woman who i adopted from said if it didn't work out i could return him, but i do not want to. But if Baron is depressed and unhappy I cannot have that. I breaks my heart.

What do i do. I try to hold him more. He doesn't really bite anymore. He doesn't play. He lays around. he has not slept with me since i brought the new kitten home. i am really nervous that i did the wrong thing. i wanted to make the house a brighter place and it looks i made it depressed instead.

Answer
Kari,

You did the right thing, but it takes about 2 weeks for things to smooth out. You need to do the introduction process correctly.

I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process correctly:
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...

Hissing, growls, and slaps are normal 'kitty communication'. The are ways to warn each other, state who is 'boss', etc. They are not worrysome unless there are ears pinned back, major fur flying, or blood being shed.

Once the cats can be together without fighting or freaking out feed  the cats yummy cat treats periodically (like tuna, sardines (in oil) or pieces of raw steak, etc.) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant. Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, Petco, etc.) is great for interaction between the cats. They can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cats as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other (and you).

There is a calming product that you can add to the cat's food or water that reduces anxiety called Bach's Rescue Remedy. It is available on-line and in health food stores. Here is a link about it: http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm


Things will work out with lots of time, patience, and love. Be sure to give attention to Baron with the new kitten out of the room so he doesn't feel he has been replaced in your affections.