Expert: Norman Auspitz - 11/12/2009

Question
I have a 5 year old neutered siamese male and would likt to get him a kitten friend. I would like to know whether a male or female would be better. He is quite a nervous cat, but not with other cats and appears to like other cats.  

Answer
Charlotte,

Yes, a kitten would be best.  Once they are neutered or spayed, gender really does not matter.  Here is a pretty good protocol for introducing a new kitten to a household with an already existing cat.  If you can, I would get a kitten that is at least 4 months of age. They do better when they are a little bit older. Althoguh there are no guarantees they will get along, you have a much better chance with a kitten:

Start out your new kitten in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with yourself or another human resident. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your new kitten will not be overwhelmed by its new surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan (often kittens have been confined and are somewhat daunted by wide open spaces!). You will feed the new kitten in this room and keep the established cat out. It allows the new kitten to bond with you or another human being and also build up some self assurance in its new surroundings since it will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows the new kitten and the established cat to sniff each other under the door and get familiar with each others' scents.

After 3-5 days of being in its one room, it is time to let them meet each other. Be prepared for some posturing, some spitting and hissing, and the like. IGNORE IT! After a while, they should begin chasing each other about and still have the occasional hiss or spit as they get accustomed to each other. Cats tend to make a whole lot of noise and even loosen up some fur. Rarely will two cats hurt each other.

Once they are introduced, there are a couple of things you must remember. Do not separate them again, they will get along! Do not interfere in their "discussions" as they need to sort it out amongst themselves!

It does not hurt to give the established cat treats and extra attention after the new cat or kitten is introduced (yes, cats do get jealous!).

A couple of things you may have to do are to feed them on separate dishes.
Provide more than one litter pan in different areas of the household (as
cats can be very territorial about litter pans).

All, in all, this method seems to have had great success in the past and makes for a fairly smooth introduction. Please remember that they may make up immediately, or it may take a few weeks.

Best regards... Norm