I have a 4-month-old cat that is very chill but not a snuggler. I decided to bring home a 3-month-old kitten based on the pet rescue description and her approaching us at the pet store. However, upon bringing her home, my other cat began hissing and has been hiding from this kitten. Also, this kitten does not seem snuggly and appears a bit destructive. What to do?!
Read up on introducing cats properly for starters. Generally, you keep them in separate rooms for a couple of days so they can sniff under the door/get used to the idea. Then only supervised time together for another few days. It may still take weeks/months for them to get along fully after that.
This. Crate training, like with dogs, works remarkably well for introducing cats to each other gradually.
You can’t just throw two cats together and let them figure it out. You’re just setting them up to fail. You need to introduce them slowly. Jackson Galaxy has good how-to videos on it. Also, be patient. You just brought a kitten into a completely unfamiliar environment.
@Quinn
I didn’t realize it would be this complicated. Thanks for the advice!
I second this. I used Jackson’s method and my cats get along great. I also suggest buying a mosquito net for the door so they can smell each other without touching.
Hollis said:
I second this. I used Jackson’s method and my cats get along great. I also suggest buying a mosquito net for the door so they can smell each other without touching.
Wow, that’s genius! I wish I thought of that when I got my cats as kittens.
It can take weeks or months to properly introduce cats, and it starts with keeping them separated. You really should read up on it to increase the chances of success.
They are separated. When we got home, the kitten ran out of the crate and that is when they saw each other and it was scary!
Did you introduce them properly?
Nico said:
Did you introduce them properly?
Not really, it was a bit chaotic when we got home. I regret that now.
Older cats will hiss at kittens to get them to go away. Introducing any two cats requires a slow and steady approach. They need time to adjust to the change in their territory.
Morgan said:
Older cats will hiss at kittens to get them to go away. Introducing any two cats requires a slow and steady approach. They need time to adjust to the change in their territory.
Thanks for explaining that! I didn’t realize it was so instinctual.
Kittens are destructive and crazy by nature; they’ll calm down after a year. Jackson Galaxy is a great resource.
Separate those babies for a while (2 weeks to a month or longer!). Keep the new baby in a bathroom or somewhere the previous cat won’t be overwhelmed.
Separate them. Get a second litter box. Wait it out. Time heals all wounds lol.