Older cats and new kitten? Will they get along?

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mick - 21 Sep 2004 02:42 GMT

I have 2 cats about 6 years old. They only really like me. I have 3 young
girls that love them but the cats don't go around my girls much. They are
just not use to them. They weren't around children when I got them. Well,
we bought a kitten for my girls so they would have a pet for themselves.
They are really doing well with him and he is doing well with us but my 2
older cats DON'T like him. (which I figured would happen) My one cat keeps
trying to bat at him.(she is declawed) Will they get use to each other? I
have been locking the kitten up at night because I am afraid of a cat fight.
Any information would be nice.

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Ken Oaf - 21 Sep 2004 07:32 GMT

> I have 2 cats about 6 years old. They only really like me. I have 3 young
> girls that love them but the cats don't go around my girls much. They are
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> have been locking the kitten up at night because I am afraid of a cat fight.
> Any information would be nice.

First of all, it is extremely cruel to declaw cats. In many countries, such
practices have been outlawed.

As for cats getting on, give it time, don't force the cats together. Let them
work out the pecking order. It may be that the cats will never get on, but they
will at least stay clear of each other.

Once upon a time I had an old cat who hated the two young kittens I brought
home. She hated them for the rest of her live, except in very cold weather when
they would snuggle up together on my favorite computer chair to keep warm at
night.

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mick - 21 Sep 2004 16:41 GMT

First of all, if I did not take my older cats they would most likely have
been put to sleep or worse, drowned in a lake. I think being alive and
living in a loving home is worth being declawed. Otherwise, thanks for the
advice.

> > I have 2 cats about 6 years old. They only really like me. I have 3 young
> > girls that love them but the cats don't go around my girls much. They are
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> they would snuggle up together on my favorite computer chair to keep warm at
> night.

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Basha569 - 05 Oct 2004 21:09 GMT

:I have 2 cats about 6 years old. They only really like me. I have 3 young
: girls that love them but the cats don't go around my girls much. They are
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
: have been locking the kitten up at night because I am afraid of a cat fight.
: Any information would be nice.

In my experience, just letting things develope normally is the best
thing to do. Some cats never appreciate kittens, some love them or at
least tolerate them ;) Most of the time, they will eventually accept
the kitten but may still be impatient with it. Kitten will adjust
too. Since your cats are declawed, I don't think they would seriously
hurt the kitten although my two toms have bitten each other at times
when one of them didn't want to play anymore. Nothing serious. They
may hiss and spit at Kitten, but don't let it bother you unless they
look like they will do the kitten real harm. I can't see that
happening though and I have had cats for 40 years. Locking the kitten
up at night sounds like a good idea right now. Cats are nocturnal and
more likely to be in a mood to fight then.
Basha

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Malvolio - 09 Oct 2004 21:43 GMT

I've read that it can really help if you take any cloth items your older
cats lay on a lot and rub them on the new kitten. This transfers the older
cats' scent to the kitten. Later when the older cats sniff at the kitten,
the presence of their own scent on the kitten helps them to accept the
kitten as belonging in their home. I've seen several magazine articles that
spoke of this as being a really good idea. It makes sense, considering how
important the sense of smell is to a cat. Since we humans have practically
no sense of smell compared to a cat, it is hard for us to appreciate just
what scent means to them, I guess. Anyway, give it a try; it can't hurt and
it might just do the trick. Good luck.

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Debbie Parks - 17 Oct 2004 23:53 GMT

I have two cats of my own . One is fourteen and the other is 3. The fourteen
year old one hates the three year old and has for three years. They get in
fights all the time! I yell at the who started the fight and you can usually
tell by the order they are running.
If the older cat is chasing the younger cat I know who started it ,the
younger cat and vice-versa.
I yell at the one who stated the fight and throw small objects at the one
who started it. I usually throw a pencil when I'm doing my homework because
I'm not very old. 11 to be exact. I'm in junior high and I'm in 6th grade
and I have been yelling and throwing for three years! I would take the
advice and try rubbing a cloth on the kitten that belonged to the older
cats. - Whittney Parks

> > I have 2 cats about 6 years old. They only really like me. I have 3
> young
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> what scent means to them, I guess. Anyway, give it a try; it can't hurt and
> it might just do the trick. Good luck.

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