My two cats HATE the kitten.

[WriterDom]

They hiss and snarl and if she takes one step towards them they run like she's a full grown bulldog. She's just a tiny little gentle kitten. Only been two nights. But she will have to go if it doesn't get better soon. Maybe because they are both 10 years old and set in their ways.

 

[Keroin]

This is very common. Cats are very territorial. You need to introduce the kitten very slowly in the most non-threatening way possible. Set her/him up in separate room and keep the door closed. This will allow your adult cats to come and smell her through the door and start getting used to her scent and presence. This step may take awhile, and you'll probably notice some hissing but be patient and wait until the adult cats settle down.

Once they have calmed, you can open the door a crack, while you stand and supervise, and let them have nose contact. Do this often through the day and close the door the minute the adult cats seem too stressed.

After they are a little more relaxed, try giving all the cats a treat while they're close to the open door. You need to start building pleasant associations around the new kitten.

Gradually increase the amount of contact, with treats as encouragement, until you feel comfortable leaving them all alone together.

The whole process may take a few days but it really works.

I did this with a kitten and adult cat except I put the kitten inside a glass shower so that both parties could get used to seeing each other. At the end of one day they weren't friends but I could leave them alone in the same room without worrying about a fight.

Cats are creatures of habit. Even moving furniture around stresses them out. Go slow. Be patient. Good luck!

 

[Vixandra]

I know the feeling. We have a new kitten and our cat took a good week to stop hissing whenever he walked into the room. Thankfully the new kitten has rogue levels or something so sneaks well.

They will get used to each other, it just takes some time. And locking them in the same bathroom for a day or two can help.
Cats rarely kill each other, even in territorial fights.

 

[Keroin]

I know the feeling. We have a new kitten and our cat took a good week to stop hissing whenever he walked into the room. Thankfully the new kitten has rogue levels or something so sneaks well.

They will get used to each other, it just takes some time. And locking them in the same bathroom for a day or two can help.
Cats rarely kill each other, even in territorial fights.

They may not kill each other but they can certainly inflict bite wounds that often abscess and make cats very ill, (not to mention vet bills $$$). I wouldn't lock them together under any circumstances, this would be very stressful and potentially harmful.

I was a veterinary assistant for five years and the method I described above is the one the doctors used for clients with this problem. It has proven successful. I've used it myself with excellent results.

But yes, regardless, it will take time.

 

[WriterDom]

She's a runt. Barely the size of a rat. I don't know why they run from her.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

She's a runt. Barely the size of a rat. I don't know why they run from her.

New smell, and they're used to the way things have been. Cats don't much like change, as Keroin mentioned above. Not to mention that they might perceive her as getting more attention, which would make them jealous.

 

[FurryFury]

Cats do that. It's the young one's job to be fearless. It's the old one's job to try to incite fear. Generally speaking it's supposed to take about six months for hostilities to cease to cold war status.

It helps if they had some sniffing time under doors or while kitten was in a carrier before the alien has the run of the house.

On the good side, it often makes older cats bond more. I know it did mine.

 

[Bandit58]

I introduced a kitten to a much older cat by putting the kitten in a cat cage in the middle of the lounge room and letting the cat sniff and hiss and do his thing while the kitten desperately tried to get out and play with him

This cat was very set in his ways but had been on his own for quite a while and I think he might have been lonely - it only took a couple of days before I felt it safe to let the kitten out. They became great mates (both were neutered males).

Time is your friend, and it may be different if there's more than one other cat to introduce the kitten to.

 

[Yasashii_Kaze]

This is very common. Cats are very territorial. You need to introduce the kitten very slowly in the most non-threatening way possible. Set her/him up in separate room and keep the door closed. This will allow your adult cats to come and smell her through the door and start getting used to her scent and presence. This step may take awhile, and you'll probably notice some hissing but be patient and wait until the adult cats settle down.

Once they have calmed, you can open the door a crack, while you stand and supervise, and let them have nose contact. Do this often through the day and close the door the minute the adult cats seem too stressed.

After they are a little more relaxed, try giving all the cats a treat while they're close to the open door. You need to start building pleasant associations around the new kitten.

Gradually increase the amount of contact, with treats as encouragement, until you feel comfortable leaving them all alone together.

The whole process may take a few days but it really works.

I did this with a kitten and adult cat except I put the kitten inside a glass shower so that both parties could get used to seeing each other. At the end of one day they weren't friends but I could leave them alone in the same room without worrying about a fight.

Cats are creatures of habit. Even moving furniture around stresses them out. Go slow. Be patient. Good luck!

Terrific advice.

 

[Keroin]

Terrific advice.

Thanks! I love kitties this much...

 

[myinnerslut]

when we first got journey, my kitten, last summer she stayed in the bedroom for a good while. this was partially because she had fleas that had to go, and partially because we didnt want to freak the two adult cats.

when they did start to have direct contact it was very limited. it started with Master or viv or i holding her and carrying her around the house, introducing her to the cats and kids in a manner that kept everyone safe.

after a while time just did its thing. now they all get along.

 

[DVS]

In my experience, you'd have a more difficult time in this "getting to know" stage, if the new cat was more adult in age and size.

The new cat is still a threat, but because it's a kitten, it's less of a threat than a full grown cat would be. So, the "getting to know" stage won't be as difficult.

when I change furniture around my cats sit up on something high and watch. I use to think they were just supervising, but they are actually checking out the new floor space that used to be covered by furniture.

In addition to it being new and different (which also takes getting use to), it also opens up a whole new set of smells that weren't there before. It doesn't take long for them to get down to checking things out.

 

[Etoile]

100% agree with Keroin's advice. The through-the-door trick is always recommended when introducing a new cat. I've done it successfully several times and it's recommended in all the cat magazines and books and everything. Follow Keroin's instructions and all the kitties will be fine!
MEOW!

 

[Netzach]

Did the door thing here too, and it worked really well. Occasional tiffs but lots of integration overall.

Take time, definitely use the door and treats and it will probably work well enough that you can turn your back on them all in a week or two.

 

[frisky-leo]

I have had cats my whole life and have had to introduce new fur-babies to established fur-babies many times. While I have heard of the door trick I have never used it.

My cats have the run of the house, and if the older one dose not want to play she will find somewhere to be away from the little ones.

Like FurryFury said, the young ones have to prove (to themselves and the older cat) that they are not afraid, while the older ones let the newbies know that they are the boss. I have never had to 'return' a kitten, it just takes time for the older cat to accept (and they will, it just has to be their idea) the kitten and for the little one to learn the rules.

Remember to breath and give them lots of love. It'll work out WDom

~FL

 

[WriterDom]

They are calming down some. Still some hissing from the girl but at least she isn't going satanic now.

 

[YourCaptor]

So...

Old cat, starting to get stiff in the hips, but no pain. Does anyone have any waring or tips for what may come next?

 

[Sir_Winston54]

So...

Old cat, starting to get stiff in the hips, but no pain. Does anyone have any waring or tips for what may come next?

Two pretty good articles, here and here, both mention that things that look like arthritis or the beginning of it to us, may not be, and may be one of "many curable diseases that cause arthritis-like symptoms." The first step both recommend is a trip to the vet to determine if it is arthritis, and if so, how the vet thinks is best to treat it.

Both articles also offer a number of great tips to make life easier and more enjoyable for your pet - and you - whether it's arthritis or not.

Key point: NEVER give a cat aspirin (very slowly metabolized in cats, and thus overdosing is very easy), acetaminophen (Tylenol/generics) (toxic to cats), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, generics) (toxic to cats).

 

[YourCaptor]

Two pretty good articles, here and here, both mention that things that look like arthritis or the beginning of it to us, may not be, and may be one of "many curable diseases that cause arthritis-like symptoms." The first step both recommend is a trip to the vet to determine if it is arthritis, and if so, how the vet thinks is best to treat it.

Both articles also offer a number of great tips to make life easier and more enjoyable for your pet - and you - whether it's arthritis or not.

Key point: NEVER give a cat aspirin (very slowly metabolized in cats, and thus overdosing is very easy), acetaminophen (Tylenol/generics) (toxic to cats), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, generics) (toxic to cats).

Thanks

I don't think vet visits are in, too expensive, high probability of this is the problem but we have no solution. I just hope that when the time comes the choice is clear.

Unfortunately at the moment some are in denial about the cats condition.

I just hope something horribly wrong does not happen that I have to take care of during finals week.

 

[Etoile]

ThanksI don't think vet visits are in, too expensive, high probability of this is the problem but we have no solution. I just hope that when the time comes the choice is clear. Unfortunately at the moment some are in denial about the cats condition. I just hope something horribly wrong does not happen that I have to take care of during finals week.

Whoa, wait, what? In denial? Make a decision? Are you talking about euthanasia because kitty is a little stiff?!?! There must be other problems then, right? Cats get stiff just like people do, it doesn't mean you should put them down! One of our cats lived for years and years with arthritis. We had a little stool for her to get onto the bed more easily, and eventually we got "doggy steps" for her. She had a very, very happy life even with arthritis! Please tell me I am misunderstanding or don't have all the information. You're not really thinking of putting down a cat just because he or she has arthritis, are you??

 

[PertPerth]

Lots of good advice here. I used to have a cat which was ALWAYS claws & fangs. Time is usually the most effective 'treatment'. You also might like to try the cat pheromone spray - Feliway. It helps calm cats and make them feel more at home. It's a little expensive, but lasts a while.

 

[Netzach]

Whoa, wait, what? In denial? Make a decision? Are you talking about euthanasia because kitty is a little stiff?!?! There must be other problems then, right? Cats get stiff just like people do, it doesn't mean you should put them down! One of our cats lived for years and years with arthritis. We had a little stool for her to get onto the bed more easily, and eventually we got "doggy steps" for her. She had a very, very happy life even with arthritis! Please tell me I am misunderstanding or don't have all the information. You're not really thinking of putting down a cat just because he or she has arthritis, are you??

There *are* cat pain meds out there which are about 26 bucks for a shitload of them, and I can get in and out of my vet's for about seventy bucks to find out dosing, it's really not that prohibitive if you save some pennies for about 3 or 4 weeks. All you'd probably need to do is pill your cat once a day with pain meds or joint supplements depending on your choice of course. Cats can make it happily to 15/16 and even 20. THey can't, however, pop their own tylenol equivalent, you simply need to help it along.

 

[YourCaptor]

Whoa, wait, what? In denial? Make a decision? Are you talking about euthanasia because kitty is a little stiff?!?! There must be other problems then, right? Cats get stiff just like people do, it doesn't mean you should put them down! One of our cats lived for years and years with arthritis. We had a little stool for her to get onto the bed more easily, and eventually we got "doggy steps" for her. She had a very, very happy life even with arthritis! Please tell me I am misunderstanding or don't have all the information. You're not really thinking of putting down a cat just because he or she has arthritis, are you??

Nothing to act on at the moment, but I know that when small animals go they tend to go fast.

If her conditions turns miserable and past the point of no return, I need to do something as those she is living with will likely stall till she's past agony.

 

[Etoile]

Nothing to act on at the moment, but I know that when small animals go they tend to go fast.

If her conditions turns miserable and past the point of no return, I need to do something as those she is living with will likely stall till she's past agony.

Arthritis is nothing, I swear. She will not be miserable for a very long time. I understand that there's a line some people can't cross - that people will prolong an animal's life for their own comfort - but cats live YEARS with it. Our cat Toadstool had arthritis for 6+ years; she died of old age. Our cat Amanita had it for 5+ years; she died of kidney failure. Our cat Truffle has had it for 1-2 years and still does damn well. How old is the cat? If arthritis is her only symptom, she does not need to be put down, it can be managed!

 

[Sir_Winston54]

....If arthritis is her only symptom, ... it can be managed!

What she said. It certainly can be managed and minimized, for years, for her comfort and for the mental comfort of *her people.*