Member

Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-28-2003 11:58 AM         

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I've posted before about getting a new 8 week old male .. how should I introduce him to my 6 month old female caT?

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Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-29-2003 09:21 AM         

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Hello. I realize a lot of members here may not agree with me on this, however I think the old fashion way of just bringing the kitten into your house and letting both cats sort out their own issues is the best way to go. Basically, just bring your kitty home and keep an eye on both of them. At first your 6 month old female may hiss and not be too happy, but cats have an amazing way of eventually either liking each other after a few months, or simply tolerating each other. Female cats are actually more tolerant of kittens than they would be of an audult cat.

A lot of people here would say to keep them seperated, crating them and so on. I think this just ends up taking a lot longer for the cats to work out their issues.

That's just my opinion. Let us know how it goes.

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From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-29-2003 09:21 AM         

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Hello. I realize a lot of members here may not agree with me on this, however I think the old fashion way of just bringing the kitten into your house and letting both cats sort out their own issues is the best way to go. Basically, just bring your kitty home and keep an eye on both of them. At first your 6 month old female may hiss and not be too happy, but cats have an amazing way of eventually either liking each other after a few months, or simply tolerating each other. Female cats are actually more tolerant of kittens than they would be of an audult cat.

A lot of people here would say to keep them seperated, crating them and so on. I think this just ends up taking a lot longer for the cats to work out their issues.

That's just my opinion. Let us know how it goes.

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From:CA
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posted 12-29-2003 09:23 AM         

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Sorry for two messages (accident). The web page went down and this happens when I click 'refresh.'

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Member

Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-29-2003 03:56 PM         

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Well, I let them 'duke' it out and they are okay. I mean, my female cat is hissing and 'batting' at the new kitty, but no harm is being done.

But my new kitty isn't eating yet I'm worried. I continue to put him in front of the food dish but it's a no go. He drinks water and goes pee in the litter box, but I think he is lookin for his mom to feed It's so sad, can he get sick or anything?

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Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 12-29-2003 04:19 PM         

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I'd give him a few days before worring about not eating. Hes probably scared and confused, a new environment and a less than friendly new housemate would kill anyone's appatite for a day or two. When he gets hungry enough he'll eat.

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From:CA
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posted 12-29-2003 06:51 PM         

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I agree with Footsie. Keep us posted and let us know how they are both doing.

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Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-30-2003 01:03 AM         

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Thank you for the advice so far.
It's really easing my mind!
Recently tonight, Kayli (my older cat) 'attacked' Pepi. There was a lot of meowing and tumbling .. she's about 5lbs and he's only 1 or so! I am afraid he will hurt her!

Remind me not to get a third cat

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Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-30-2003 03:22 AM         

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Hi, When introducing any new animal to your other pets should be done with the new addition being kept away from your other pets for atleast 1week this gives you time to observe the new kitty to make sure it is healthy.
Never just introduce them and then think well they will get along as female cats are very agressive to males even more so when in heat.

Has your female been spayed as it wont be long before your male is able to father kittens.

Once you are sure the new kitten is healthy then the introduction can start about 30mins at a time should be enough but if your female cat starts becoming agressive you will have to seperate them as she can cause him some real harm.

Both cats should be wormed asap to reduce the risk of passing them to each other.

mike

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Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-30-2003 10:17 AM         

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I forgot your female was not spayed yet. I would try what Charmedagain suggested and go from there. Also, when you are not home make sure the kitten is in your bedroom with a litter box, food and water, while your 6 month old has free range of the rest of your place. Keep us posted on how they are doing.

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Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-30-2003 09:58 PM         

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Pepi ate his first meal today.

Kayli has started to 'attack' him in a playful manner, but he is so tiny that he sorta falls over and then she continues to 'wrestle' w/ him and then he cries out and we have to intervene ..

I am nervous that they aren't going to get along I didn't know raising two kittens would be this hard .. I haven't even slept in 2 dayS!

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From:CA
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posted 12-30-2003 10:21 PM         

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Just the fact that Kayli is even playing with him after such little time has passed is great! Just make sure they are seperated while you are gone, until you're certain she won't hurt your little guy. I'd love to see some pics of them together (even if they are grumpy pics). Anyway, thanks for the update and keep us posted some more. I'm looking forward to a post from you saying that they are now napping together! Wouldn't that be great!?

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Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-30-2003 11:23 PM         

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I've tried to post pictures before, but apparantly where I host my pics from .. I cannot post the links here because it would be advertising or something.

If someone could let me know how I can post pics without getting in trouble?!

And yes, it's nice that Kayli isn't hissing or growling at him anymore, but I still worry she will hurt him. We plan to put him in the washroom tomorrow while we are at work .. I just hope he doesn't think we are mad at him!

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From:CA
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posted 12-30-2003 11:59 PM         

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I think your New Years resolution should be to only have people in the washroom and not the cats. I don't know how small your place is, but if you have a one bedroom and a living room, just keep your kitten in the bedroom and let Kayli have the rest of the place to herself. I just try to treat animals the same way I would want to be treated if I was them, and there is no way I would ever want to be locked in the washroom for any reason. If you want your cats to grow to become really cool cats with great personalities the way they are treated now will form who they are for the rest of their lives.

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Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-31-2003 03:26 AM         

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I understand what you mean. I live in a one bedroom apartment and our washroom is actually pretty large.
We used to keep Kayli in there overnight and she hated it, I mean, she wouldn't cry or anything, but even I hated it.
We recently started having her sleep with us and I wouldn't have it any other way now. I love it.
I will try the bedroom thing. I am just afraid he will tear up the place! We only have one litter box right now .. I have to make a 'make shift' litter box tomorrow before we go to work.

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate all the comments and responses you have given, I was really worried about the whole situation.

Email me if you'd like some pictures I'm pretty bad w/ the whole making a website thing like everyone else.

lil_dee23@hotmail.com

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Posts: 43
From:Methuen, MA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-31-2003 07:33 AM         

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When I brought my new little guy home they played from the first moment - although my older kitty would get mad at times. But I did tend to seperate the new kitty in my bedroom when i was at work for the first few days. It has been about a month now I think and they love each other now.

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Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-31-2003 08:17 AM         

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I am so confused as to what is playing and to what is painful for my little guy.

I am loosing much sleep .. keeping one ear open for a cry.
Kayli just keeps wrestling.
I mean .. it appears playful, it's just the weight difference.

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From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-31-2003 09:26 AM         

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I'm glad you're going to put him in your bedroom. The only thing you have to do, before you leave is always unplug everything in the room the kitten is in. Kittens can chew cords and can get electrocuted. Also, remove any pills or anything else that looks dangerous. When you have some time/money get another litter box and a cat scratcher. Good luck and keep us posted. I'll e-mail you for some pics. p.s. Just use your best judgment when the cats are playing, in regards to if you think Kayli is being too rough.

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From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 01-01-2004 03:21 AM         

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So when we came home, Pepi was sleeping in the bedroom and Kayli greeted us at the door. They seemed happy

Pepi also took his first poop today I'm so proud of him.

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posted 01-01-2004 10:57 AM         

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I'm glad things are going alright. So, at night (until the cats get along), who is going to sleep in the bedroom and who will have free range of the rest of the apartment?

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From:Ottawa, Ontario
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posted 01-01-2004 09:39 PM         

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At night time, they both sleep w/ us, it hasn't been a problem yet.
My bf and I take turns getting up if we hear a lot of crying.

While we are at work, Pepi stays in the bedroom (we figure he doesn't know any better yet) w/ lots of toys, litter box, and food/water.

Kayli roams the place.

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