The best pet tip I've found with cats is to get a couple of small towels - one for each cat. Rub the cats with their own towel, then give it to the other cat to sleep with and get used to each other's scents. Of course, we still take the time to slowly introduce them to each other, but this towel method seems to make the process go much easier in the long run.
This is Spike. He showed up in our carport one morning and we fell in love with him! He's an adorable orange tabby, 13 weeks old and extremely friendly and playful. He's the 3rd cat that we've adopted in the past 18 months and they all get along very well.
By Mary J. from Florence, SC
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I just rescued a small kitten and she is finally rehabilitated and healthy so it's time to introduce her to her siblings! One is 1 year old, one is 8 months old, and, one is 7 years old. They are so friendly to each other and to her! However, our kitten hates them, she can't even go near them without hissing! What do we do to help her feel safer and like her new siblings?
Kee her hungry and other kittens too, and then give food together and they will only eat and will eat and let then eat more so they will be full with it. Then before a chance o fa conflict apart them for a bit,
I got a 8 week old kitten today and my 7 month old keeps hissing at her. I have had to have the kitten with me in the bedroom at night with food, litter tray, and water as my female is not liking her. I just don't want my 7 month old cat hurting a 8 week old kitten. The 8 week old kitten is dying to see the older cat and wants to play, but my older cat doesn't like her and is always hissing at her.
I don't want to have to re-home my new addition because of the older cat. Will she eventually like the kitten? How do I do this and make them get along?
Like any creature, cats are territorial. This new kitten is infringing on the 1st cats space..so she is obviously unimpressed. Cats do adjust after a little while usually. The first one just needs to see that the kitten is not a threat, But some cats never quite adjust so it may be some trial and error.
They are both still young and yes, this will happen. Even with dogs this happens. I introduced a new puppy in the house and my older dog who is almost 5 wasn't happy at all. He did bite the puppy a few times.
This does take time and you basically have to do this slowly and let them get used to each other. You'll have a few incidents and the older cat will show the younger one who's boss. They will work this out in time because they are both still young. I would keep going on like you are now and slowly, allow them in the room together for a bit longer each time.
One thing I have found that helps is to see that the new cat has her own space. I use a guestroom with litter box, water, food, toys and a few cozy beds and a window sill to look out of. My new kitties sleep in their rooms and get increased time out with the resident cats. I have found this keeps them much calmer and there is less hissing swatting etc, Look for a couple months of hostility.
I have a cat who is almost one year old and I just got a kitten who is about 10 weeks old. My cat is hissing at the kitten, but that is all she does for now.
How do I get her to like the kitten?Since both are still young this may not take very long for them to accept each other.
This will take time and each cat will learn their place. I have introduced a cat in two different ways. Once I just let them get to know each other. This one worked out, but at times the older cat would start a fight with the younger one. I found out it was better to have the animals of the opposite sex. This works the same for dogs. The older dog will always put the baby in their place and make sure they know who is king.
You can also try what others do and separate them. Let them get to know each other little by little by introducing them. You can start with the smell or moving them around and leaving them in a room where the other cat has been.
As long as the older cat isn't attacking and hurting the new kitten I'd leave them for now and see how it works out. If the older cat is hurting the kitten, you have to move them away from each other.
I brought home an 8 week old kitten today as a playmate for my 10 week old kitten. They sleep next to each other, but my 10 week old just keeps attacking the 8 week old one. What should I do?
I have a kitten that is 10 weeks old female and just got a new one that is a 7 week old female. The older one continually attacks the younger one. They bite, hiss, and growl at each other. I try to break then up, but they just run back and attack each other again.
They have done this for two days and it is only getting worse. I would like to know if anyone has an idea how to adjust them to each other?I agree with the recommendations here for slow introductions, having their own space, litter boxes and feeding dishes. That has always worked for me. But, when they begin playing with each other and you see more biting hissing and chasing dont feel like a failure. You will see less of it and it will fade away faster, it will not disappear. Especially with kittens. Kittens engaging in this kind of behavior usually dont hurt each other, it just sounds like war. Just keep an eye on them...they will grow up.
I have had my boy kitten for about a month now. I brought home a girl kitten yesterday she's a little skittish and the two don't get along well. I have the oldest in the bedroom with food and an extra litter box and the kitten in the other room with her.own stuff.
The two meow at each other through the door, but when they are in the same room they fight. I'm not sure if it's playing or them being mean. The littler one hisses at the bigger one. I started doing that towel method today.Help them make friends with one another.
Step 1
Trim their nails to avoid puncture wounds if they fight.
Step 2
Let them smell each other under the doorway. They may start reaching under the door to play.
Step 3
Add some of the litter from each box to the other. Cats go by smell so the smell of the other cat in the litter with no bad effect will let each cat think that the other is present and they are still safe.
Step 4
Try letting them be together under your supervision, while you play with them with a toy on a rod type of toy.
Step 5
It is hard for them to be in a fighting mood while they are playing.
Step 6
Be prepared for some hissing. One kitten will retreat when hissed at. This establishes dominance.
Step 7
Once dominance is established there should be no more fighting, only hissing.
Step 8
After that you can let them be together permanently.
We just got an 11 week old kitten a couple days ago and our 2 year old cat does not like her at all. Not only does our older cat hiss at our kitten, but she hisses at me and I don't know what to do. I'm afraid if they don't get along we will have to rehome our kitten. What's the best way for the cats to bond?
By Katie P.
I can assure you that sometimes it takes a while for cats to stop hissing with displeasure at the youngest addition to a family. That is normal behavior. I have the same thing all the time over here. (unless we are talking about Manx kittens which are like dogs).
I would not let the youngster really near the cat alone for a while. I could put her in the bathroom with her own food and water and litterbox, or the laundry room. I like to have them each have their own places. Have them have their own bowls especially. When they are together, tell the older cat "Look, it's a baby" when they are together. Talk softly and when the older cat complains, say "awww, that scares the Baby."
Your tone of voice helps. I would pay a lot of attention to the older cat. And in it's own place pay a lot of attention to the litte one too. I used to take the little ones on a tour, I would hold them and walk thru the hosue and tell them the names of all the animals and such. They would look all around. Walk slow and talk to the kitten like you are talking to a child. Do this everyday.
Here are some links:
www.youtube.com/
Here is some info I copied and pasted from this link:
1. Allow your old cat to gradually familiarize itself with the kitten. For example, if it is a stray kitten that spends most of its time outdoors, let your old cat observe it through the window most of the time and bring the kitten indoors for short periods of time.
2. Set aside a room in your house where the kitten can live most of the time, if it is spending most of its time indoors. Take the kitten out of the room for short intervals and gradually introduce it to your old cat.
3. Establish a litter box for the kitten. If possible, place it some distance away from your old cat's litter box. Later, your cats may use each other's boxes, or even the same box, but its best to introduce your kitten to his own box at first.
4. Give the kitten its own food dish and water bowl. The cats then can use the same water bowl, but it is best if the kitten has his own bowl at first.
5. Talk nicely to the kitten and your old cat as you are introducing them to each other. Cats understand emotion, and your old cat can adapt to your emotion if it knows that you are friendly toward the new kitten.
6. Play with the kitten using balls or other cat toys, and let the old cat watch or join in. The old cat then realizes that the kitten is a great playmate.
Read more: www.ehow.com/
Don't be overly concerned but don't expect them to share things. The baby will be afraid of using a litterbox in front of the oler cat and eating in front of him so give the kitten it's own area.
Keep us updated!
Blessings, Robyn
My wife and I got two Bengal cats from separate breeders, Misty was first and 6 months later came Kiwi. After 5 happy years for the four of us, Misty was tragically diagnosed with epilepsy. She was put down about a month ago and it was agonizing losing one of our best buddies. We now are trying to add a new kitten.
