[Sakmet]

We took in a little 8 week old male kitten late on the evening of 11/18, and have had him sequestered in a guest bathroom. Since then, our resident cat Diablo hasn't shown really too much interest except to look that way occasionally... he has sniffed at the base of the door a couple of times. I had his food dishes over next to the door yesterday and noticed he didn't eat at all that day or evening. Finally this morning, I moved them back to their normal place because I didn't want to "force" him to be near the other kitty. Should I just go ahead and leave the food dishes by new kittys door? Diablo's got to eat sometime! I was thinking of giving it a couple more days and doing more stuff like having him play on kittys bedding... things like that and trying the food thing again. Yesterday, though, I cracked the door open for a few minutes and Diablo just stared for a couple seconds at the little face, and then just stalked away. No hissing or growling... I'm assuming that's a good sign? I almost hope that when I do put them together, that the kitten won't be too rambunctious for Diablo ( of course he's only 3 years old) Anyway, what do you think? ~Sarita

 

[Ioana]

It is a good idea to switch the bedding so they can get used to each other's scent. You could use 2 towels and keep on switching. Another trick I have learned here in the catforum is to rub a little bit of vanilla on both kitties back of their necks before introducing them. I hope the introduction will occur smoothly for both of your kitties. Come back and tell us how it all went, Sarita!

 

[MrPurryMotors]

With Boo and Drizzle, they tried to eat each other's paws under the door. :lol:

I did some Boo in the carrier/Drizzle outside time. She growled. Hissed. But could not "get" him. He was curious. He remembered Brothers and Sisters and was like "Hi! Wanna play?"

Just take it slow and easy. It takes time. Maybe move Diablo's bowls a foot or just 6 inches each day to gradually get them closer to New Kitty's door. Likewise with New Kitty's bowls towards the door. Also you may want to switch them for a little bit. A family member and Diablo in New Kitty's room for a bit, an hour or so, and let New Kitty run around and explore the house. We did this with Driz and Boo. Switched them back and forth.

Be patient. It takes time. Lots of time.

 

[MrPurryMotors]

Also, don't get involved in dominance. My sister was insistant that Boo was the Dominant Cat as she was older, larger, and there first. That's not how it ended up. Drizzle was smaller, quicker, and more recently experienced with other cats. He took dominance slowly but surely. Though it took my Sis quite some time to give in and realize we don't control who is dominant, they duke it out themselves. Now? Drizzle has "first dibs" and Boo doesn't fight it. If he wants a drink, he's going to take it. She waits. When we tried to keep it even (IE when Sis tried to help Boo be dominant :wink: ) it back-fired and he asserted himself more and more. He choose what food bowls he ate from. What litter box he used. Where he went. Boo recognized the order of things. It may switch back someday. No one knows. Just don't get involed. It's not up to you. One cat is always going to be dominant. :roll: Silly, but true.