Advice from Experience: How long does it take an old house cat to deal with a new kitten?

[NNadir]

The history of my old cat, 17 years old, we guess, and a long time loner in our house is told here: My "eating the cat" story.

She has, since being "rescued" from her previous home, never been around other animals, only people. (The problem at my Sister-in-law's home was not just the dog she got, but a bullying cat that lived with her before the divorce that led her here.)

My son just rescued a feral kitten living behind his ex-girlfriend's house.

It's not going well. The old cat is clearly upset by the energetic, bouncy, high energy kitten, hissing and growling, and then going to another room. (We have the kitten in an enclosure for parts of the day.)

I've never had a cat in my adult life who's lived this long, since most of my previous cats (I had only a few) were outdoor types, and didn't make it all that long before being killed in one way or another, usually cars.

Does anyone have helpful experience; will she, the old cat, get over it and become tolerant?

[SheltieLover]

1. One thing I highly suggest is to keep them separated at least until vet does Fe-Leuk / FIV test

Fi leuk is a "death sentence" and animals are usually put down right away.

FIV is not and they can live with other cats without transmitting it, if fighting with deep bites does not occur.

That's my 2 cents.

Best of luck to you.

[Ziggysmom]

2. Try one of the cat pheromone plug in diffuser, similar to the brand Feliway. I had a lot of

success blending cat families when using these. Congrats on the new baby. It takes older cats a long time to adjust. Keep the introductions supervised until they are safe with each other.

https://cats.com/best-pheromone-diffusers-and-sprays-for-cats

[montanacowboy]

3. Short Answer

NO!
We have been at it for over a year now, same situation and have just learned to live with young wild kitty flying through the house and poor older cat just having to take it.

[Rebl2]

11. Had same

situation and it was not good. Older cat never accepted the younger cat. Many fights to the point I couldn’t leave the younger cat alone with older cat. I suggest no don’t do it.

[Ndp5]

4. Probably yes, but it will take time and patience

I got a kitten when my first cat was a full-fledged adult, and First Cat was EXTREMELY unhappy about the new arrival. Tried to attack the kitten and took a chunk out of my arm in the process. Just totally flipped out.

Today, she likes the newer arrival, and I would say the cats are friendly if not besties. (Note: it’s been two years.)

Definitely separate them for now, as others have said. Then, if the tests for FIV/FeLV come back negative, try:

1) Scent-swapping. Rub a face towel against one cat’s cheeks and leave it in the middle of the other cat’s room. Do the same with the second cat. Keep doing this until the cats are not avoiding or attacking the towel that smells like the other one.

2) Allogrooming. Get a goat hair brush or other brush with soft bristles and brush both cats with it. This creates a shared smell and mimics the effects of living in a colony together.

3) Food separate, treats together. Cats need to feel secure about their resources, and I didn’t make much headway when I was trying to feed them together. But joint treat sessions have helped. Find treats they both love and dispense them to both at the same time (on opposite sides of a baby gate if you have to separate them to keep the peace).

If the tests don’t come back negative, I’d suggest keeping them in separate parts of the house. But hopefully that’s not an issue.

[biophile]

5. All of the previous responses are great

Maybe try to keep them separate at night for a while to give the older cat some peace. It’s very disruptive for an old established pet to deal with a new family member, let alone a young energetic one. Confine the kitten to a small room or large crate and let the older cat have the use of his usual spaces. Treats together along with petting both at the same time. Pheromones can help. It will take a while, hopefully not never- best of luck and bless you for your kindness and patience.

[SuzyandPuffpuff]

6. Pets

I've worked with animals wild and domestic for 30 yrs currently own cat boarding facility. Cats aren't dogs. They aren't pack animals. I've seen cats live in their 20's. Let the old cat do what she wants. She won't kill the kitten. She'll get enough of it and pummel it a few times. Setting boundaries. Kittens and puppies need boundaries. Definitely let the old cat have run of the house. Don't ask her to change. Just monitor. Good luck. And squirt bottles will save Yu haha

[3catwoman3]

7. The kitten needs a kitten. They will play with each other...

...and likely leave the older cat in relative peace.

[Ponietz]

8. See if you can get her comfortable with the kitten's smell

Share the brush

Cats have very strong senses of smell, and they use scents to communicate with each other. When cats are bonded they will create a “group scent,” an act you’re witnessing if you see your cats rubbing up against each other. In fact, you’re being included in this group scent when your cat headbutts you.

Sharing scents helps your cats become familiar with each other, and therefore comfortable around each other. You can help this process along by using the same brush to groom them. Before brushing, let each of them sniff the brush. Only use the brush to groom your cat if she has no adverse reaction to smelling your other cat’s scent on the brush. If she pulls away, hisses, or growls, respect her feelings and don’t force it.

Forcing a shared scent can cause even more stress and territorial issues. Instead, keep trying each day, only brushing the second cat once the reaction is positive or neutral.

https://iheartcats.com/5-ways-to-help-your-cats-bond-with-each-other

Whether dogs, cats, or a combination, I’ve used the same towel, gloves, or brush, to pet them and create a group scent. It has always worked for me.

[Figarosmom]

9. New kitten should be bathed

So any outside or other cat scent is removed. Then like others have said brush with same brush. Also as others have said take the kitten to vet for tests. Cats can smell sickness and will hiss and run from other sick animals.

[NNadir]

10. We took her to the vet yesterday. She seems to be perfectly healthy.

Last edited Sun Nov 17, 2024, 09:01 AM - Edit history (1)