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About Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too.
Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again.
Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Cats > Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral) > Introducing Kitten to Solitary Cat
Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/4/2009
Question
I just got a 13 week old kitten who is really friendly and energetic. I am trying to introduce him into a house that already has a 7 year old female cat.(my room mates cat)
I went to the link that was supplied on here about how to introduce a new cat and it was great, but my problem is that the 7 year old cat doesn't come out of her room (room mates bedroom) when the kitten is anywhere is sight. When ever I'm not home or at night my kitten is in my room, but when I take him out she never comes out.
He's gone in her room a few times and she just stares at him then hisses and growls, but doesn't attack, and sometimes she will go under the bed. I was told that when shes around full grown cats she will chase them down, but I haven't gotten the feeling that she wants to hurt him.
Im trying to figure out a way that she will feel comfortable coming out again and not completely hate the little one.
Just hoping you can give me a few helpful tips for me to help her to accept the kitten
Thanks
Jen
Answer
Jen,
Did you do the introduction process correctly? It takes about 2 weeks to a month for things to smooth out, IF they are going to. You cannot put a new cat/kitten in with a resident cat and expect them to get along. That RARELY happens! Introductions need to be done slowly. You can not rush them together or you will have behavior problems.
I am attaching 2 links as guides on how to go about the introduction process in the correct manner. 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...
Once the cats can be together without fighting or freaking out feed the cats yummy cat treats periodically (like tuna, tinned 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
I use a big dog crate for a new cat. It has room for a litterbox, food and water, small cat carrier without the door for a bed, to hide in, and to get up on, and they still have room. That way they can get used to other cat(s) around, and other cat(s) can sniff and check them out safely, and a new cat is not locked up by itself in a room which can be more frightening and confusing for it. You can gradually let one cat/kitten out for short periods of time as they start getting used to each other, and switch cats to let the new kitten explore. I got mine at Petco. I am attaching a picture of it.
Another issue I see here is that you only adopted ONE kitten. With an older resident cat, you should have TWO kittens. The reasons are varied. A lot of cats do not like kittens until they have grown up. Older cats usually do not care for kittens because of their energy level and the fact that they ruin an older cat's routine and peace. A kitten, if it is healthy, will have lots of energy and will like to play a lot. When the only other playmate for the kitten is an older cat she will try to play with him as she would another with another kitten. That causes problems. For the older cat...and for the kitten, who gets confused and can get depressed and lose heart because the older cat won't play and will growl at her.
When you have 2 kittens they play together with rough-house kitty play, chase each other, and play normal kitty games, and then snuggle together for comfort and companionship. They tend to leave the older cat alone more. That relieves the older cat if he is not interested in playing, but leaves the option open if he does.
Growling, slaps, and hisses are nothing to worry about. They are just "kitty communication". That is the way the older cat tells the younger cat to keep her distance, what the rules of "his house" are, etc.
The best you can probably hope for is that the older cat accepts the kitten...even though they may never be 'friends', which is really not fair to a happy, lively kitten who WANTS to be friends and playmates. When you get a friend for a resident cat it should be one close in age and temperament.
As the kitten grows and gets more secure and self-confident she may intensify annoying behavior towards your older cat out of boredom or to expend energy. That may cause the older cat to become stressed or it cause behavior problems (like inappropriate elimination). Or it can cause the older cat to be aggressive towards the younger cat, and YOU, out of frustration and stress.
It will work out OK with time and patience, but my suggestion would be to go back soon and get another kitten about your kitten's age and temperament, or ideally, a littermate (brother or sister of your kitten).
Tabbi
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