New kitten help!

[blondehoney]

Hi everyone

I have a new kitten, female, who I have had for just over a week. She is lovely and settling in well.

However, I also have an older cat, female, neutered, who is 8 years old and she is not coping at all. She has not always been an only cat (we had a male cat who died 2.5 years ago who she got on well with) but for the past 2.5 years it has just been her.

I introduced the kitten slowly, and the kitten's food and litter tray are in a different room. Due to the layout of my house it isn't possible to keep the cats constantly separate.

The older cat hates the kitten. She either goes outside and refuses to come back in (she was previously almost always inside) or she reluctantly comes in but sits in the kitchen whilst the kitten is in the lounge. If the kitten goes near her, the cat will growl and hiss like mad. If the kitten gets too close, the cat will swipe at her.

The cat has taken to hiding upstairs under my daughter's bed, but she is not allowed upstairs so we have to keep bringing her down. When she's downstairs she either stays in another room or goes outside. I cannot get her to stay near the kitten.

I have tried getting them in the same room and the cat will tolerate the kitten lying down near her (about a foot away, sometimes less) but if the kitten moves, makes a noise, or goes closer, the cat swipes at her.

I have tried stroking the kitten then stroking the cat to mix scents, but the cat growls at me and swipes at me. She has attacked me 3 times today because I smell like the kitten. I have left a slipper that the kitten lies on near the cat but it hasn't helped.

My daughter is now scared of the cat incase the cat hurts her (although she never ever has, interestingly she only goes for me, even if my daughter smells like the kitten. However she will hiss at my daughter and I fear if left, she might attack my daughter) and my cat has a whole different personality.

I am tempted to rehome the kitten because my cat has changed so much and I can't see how to help, but my daughter will be devastated if the kitten goes, so I want to give it more time, but if it will never work, then I want to rehome the kitten before my daughter gets too attached.

My daughter is almost 5, and prior to the kitten's arrival, my cat was her best friend and literally adored her, as a baby the cat would stand guard over her if the doorbell rang, she would curl up with her, follow her etc.

The cat will rub against us every now and then, but if we stroke her, she attacks us as we smell like the kitten. She has abandoned her favourite spot on the sofa and will either stay in the kitchen or lie on the lounge floor.

I took the kitten in the garden (not really letting her go as she's only 7 weeks) and the cat sniffed her, but subsequent attempts have meant the cat swipes at her. So even neutral territory hasn't helped. The garden is neutral as although it is ours, it is frequented by so many other cats including 3 next door, that my cat just tolerates them, she never hisses at other cats, just ignores them. She was even lying next to one yesterday!

Any advice?

[greenkitty]

I think the existing cats is behaving as I would expect and I would leave them to sort themselves out and only intervene if they are actually fighting. Hissing and swiping is to be expected and the kitten needs to learn it's boundaries.

Existing cat may also be feeling left out, I know it's difficult but you (and that's all of you including your daughter) should almost be ignoring the kitten and behaving as if she wasn't there, so as far as existing cat is concerned the kitten is no threat to the love and attention she receives from you all.

[Baggypants]

Yes I think whilst it's probably not how you hoped it could have been worse. I've got 3 cats and the last one of ours, Elsie, moved in with us around 3 years ago but Bagheera - the original resident cat - still isn't 100% keen on her and tolerates her at best. If the older cat isn't being too hostile then I think it will be ok in the long term.

I would suggest that if the older cat is particularly bonded to your daughter then you could encourage this more - allow the cat to go in her room if that's where she feels safe and make sure the kitten can't go in there so cat feels happy at home. Lots of praise, treats and encouragement for the older cat. Don't force her to be near the kitten and even if she hisses at the kitten don't tell her off - reassure her - she's only being hostile because she's nervous. Once she starts to relax perhaps get your daughter to try playing gently with both - perhaps dragging some string across the floor so they are distracted by this and can get used to each other slowly.

What are their names by the way?

[blondehoney]

the older cat is a tabby called Mia, and the kitten is a tortie called Rosie

I will definitely follow your advice, thank you all. The only issue is, the cat will basically run upstairs or outside and spend all her time there, so she will never be near the kitten enough to get used to her?

[KittyWitty]

Hey, how are you getting on introducing your girls?

I have just started the road of introductions with my boys and would LOVE to hear how you are finding it!

[Jay-Jay]

Hi guys,

I am in a similar boat now and would love to hear how you got on. I rescued a pair of female kittens, sisters. My two years old male cat hates them. He hisses and growls, attacked one of them. Trouble is they are very curious and a few times have managed to bound straight up to him despite my efforts for separation. Now my older cat won't come in the house at all. I left food on the step but he does not take it. Its a little tricky in that the layout of the house means seperation is often impossible. Any advice would be great as its very upsetting to think my older cat may move out completely. its been two weeks. Not long I know but I'm struggling.