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Advice would help...

Bettie Aug 25, 2003 12:02 PM

I have a 1 year old neutered male cat (Ripley). We got him from a shelter at 3 months old. He's very gentle, smart, and playful. We recently moved into a house with 2 dogs (that he loves, but they ignore him) and a cat (who was a stray that isn't very social and has always disliked evrything, so she stays in the basement). Ripley wants to play with the other cat, but she isn't very friendly.

The problem is this: I just got a new kitten for my birthday. I haven't brought it home yet because it's still weening. I'm nervous that Ripley won't like the kitten, or may injure it trying to play. As I have said, Ripley is very gentle with people and other animals, but I don't know how he'll react to a new kitten.

Does anyone have advice or suggestions on how to introduce him to the new kitten? Are there things I should be concerned about? Ripley was my first cat, and I love him dearly, so I don't want to upset him. He is very much a mama's boy and loves to snuggle and be groomed by me... How can I keep my relationship with him the same and be able to spend enough time with the new kitten so that it will grow up to be just as loveable and gentle?

Thanks! Any comments would help.

Replies (4)

NEMESIS1IM Aug 25, 2003 07:47 PM

Hi,

You need to keep them seperated for a while, with a door inbetween them. That way they get used to there being a new cat ther and they can smell the new cat. When they have stopped hissing at the door and each other you can let them out.

You may also want to let the new cat out beofre hand and put the other cat in a different room, for a few hours so the new cat and check things out without and fear of the other cat.

Hope that helps.
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Regards,
NEMESIS1IM
Against HartzHelp spread the word against Hartz Flea and Tick drops

MunchieScrunchie Aug 25, 2003 07:49 PM

All cats have different personalities and no matter how much you may want them to be affectionate and friendly, if it's not in their nature, they just won't do it. But when you bring the new kitten home, keep it isolated from Ripley for a while until Ripley gets used to the noise and smell of the new kitten. After a while, you can put the kitten in a carrier and let Ripley see and smell her. Let th ekitten and Ripley be together only with supervision until the kitten gets a bit older and you are sure that the kitten and Ripley are getting along. Do the same for your other cat. Remember, th emost successful introductions are ones done slowly over a period of time. Don't try to rush things and everything should be fine.
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Dottie
Proudly owned by The Catnip Crew...Munchkin,Casey,Maddie,Harley,Meadow,Ashley,Nicky and Mushka

papillon567 Aug 25, 2003 08:06 PM

Keep Ripley in a room with the door shut (a bedroom will do)while you bring your new kitten inside for the first time. Let the kitten look around the house and explore for an hour or two. He/she will smell Ripley's scent in the house and get used to it.

Then put the kitten in a diffent room and shut the door (another bedroom will do). Make sure the room has a litter box, toys, food and water, etc.

Let Ripley out of the room you had him in. He'll smell the new kittens scent and adjust to it.

Do the introducing slowly (within two in five days). Ripley and the kitten should both be more comfortable with it this way.

After they are completely introduced, I don't know where to go from there. I'm sure others will have advice about that though.

papillon567 Aug 25, 2003 08:06 PM

Keep Ripley in a room with the door shut (a bedroom will do)while you bring your new kitten inside for the first time. Let the kitten look around the house and explore for an hour or two. He/she will smell Ripley's scent in the house and get used to it.

Then put the kitten in a diffent room and shut the door (another bedroom will do). Make sure the room has a litter box, toys, food and water, etc.

Let Ripley out of the room you had him in. He'll smell the new kittens scent and adjust to it.

Do the introducing slowly (within two in five days). Ripley and the kitten should both be more comfortable with it this way.

After they are completely introduced, I don't know where to go from there. I'm sure others will have advice about that though.

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