Hi,
We have two house cats, Tigger and Tootsie. Tigger (A 2 year old ginger
male) is the friendliest cat on the planet, always rolling over for a pet,
always purring and generally being a sook. Tootsie is a little shy, she
loves a clap and a cuddle, but doesn't like being crowded or man handled too
much. She is a petit black cat, aged about 2 years too.
We are being offered a striped male kitten aged 8 weeks old, who was found
dumped with its mother and 2 other kittens, all have been given a clean bill
of health from the local VET.
Is there any rule with regards to the way Tig and Toot might act towards a
young cat being introduced into their territory? The little thing is a
darling, and I know myself and Claire will give it all the love in the
world...just wary about our other two kids taking the huff with us and / or
the new arrival...
Any help appreciated!
Gary.
~*Connie*~ - 26 Sep 2004 10:24 GMT
Hi Gary! Congrats on the new addition!
I would highly recommend doing gradual introductions. Bring the kitten home
and put it in a bathroom or spare bedroom with all the necessary items
(litter box, food etc). Your resident cats will get to know the new one
under the door. If they seem interested and not aggressive, introduce the
little one to them, giving them praise and treats. Making the kitten a good
thing. Ignore the kitten as much as possible.
If they are grumpy, you'll need to do extended introductions, leaving the
kitten in the room for a couple of days to a week until your resident cats
get used to the idea. Don't yell at them for being upset. Tell them
quietly no, and explain to them the kitten needed a new home and older
siblings to help it. Pat them and give them lots of love and attention
until they come to accept the new one. There are a lot of website help on
extended introductions. Google introducing a new kitten.
> Hi,
>
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> Gary.
Mimi Forsyth - 26 Sep 2004 11:42 GMT
rub all the cats with towels & let them sniff each others' towels.