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Is it a bad idea to introduce a new kitten to a house where there is already an older cat? (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by NONE_dc@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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In recent days we have been giving home to a black kitten less than a month old yet to be named, the thing is that we already have a cat at home. My cat "Rubia" has been with us for 13 years now, beyond having lost her eyesight due to age, she is very healthy. But since the new kitty arrived I have seen her very stressed. She can't smell or hear the new kitten without snorting, she eats very little and hasn't gone to the bathroom for a couple of days. I've seen videos on YouTube and read several articles where they say this is normal, but I can't help but worry. I'm worried that forcing her to accept a new cat will affect her health at the age she is, but I also don't want to just abandon the new kitten, although if it turns out that things aren't going to improve, I would be forced to look for someone who can adopt her....

Update: Thank you all so much for your advice, I will do my best to follow them 💜. Recently Rubia has returned to use her litter box normally, and although she still doesn't like Morena (tentative name of the new kitten), I feel more optimistic, we just have to take things slowly.

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[–] Vinny_93@lemmy.world 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Introducing a new family member is difficult for any cat. They don't like change. Best thing you can do is keep the new kitten apart for a while, like giving them their own room for a few weeks. The older cat should feel like it's 'their' home, new blood upsets the balance of power.

After a while you can reintroduce the kitten. When you pet the new cat, use the same hand to pet the older one. Cats do a lot by smell so mixing their distinct smells will make it easier.

Also make sure the older cat has their own food, their own litterbox and make sure the kitten doesn't take in any of their favourite spots to sleep.

It's hard work, you'd have to constantly pay attention to the lil guy and you can't control what happens when you sleep.

Also kittens need to sleep 22 hours a day but with an older cat around they're gonna wanna harass the older cat to show they mean business.

I would not recommend introducing a new cat to any cat over 2 years of age. At this point best thing you can do is wait it out and hope your old guy improves.

It's important to understand why your cat is not taking to the new one. It's primarily the change in a familiar situation.

[–] Towerofpain11@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

This is how I did it, except I did it with three female cats aged 13, 12 and 8. It's rough at first but now they have an "understanding"