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Old cat not accepting new kitten -- how long will this take?

ButchNSunny Jun 05, 2004 11:34 PM

I got a five week old kitten a week and a half ago (she's now about 6 weeks old), and my adult cat hasn't yet accepted her.

We keep the kitten in a separate room, and allowed them to sniff each other's items (toys, beds, etc.) to smell each others' scents.

They're allowed out together for short supervised visits that are getting longer each day. At first my adult cat, Butch, hissed at her a lot, but that's quieted down a bit. Now he only hisses if she gets too close to him -- and I'm always there to make sure nothing happens.

Well, tonight my kitten wasn't really paying attention, and got too close to him -- he hissed and swatted at her a few times. No one got hurt, but I worry because Butch is a HUGE cat, and Sunny's still tiny.

I can't let them go at it yet, though, because Sunny is just too small, and doesn't yet have the sense to understand when Butch doesn't want her around.

My question is, how long will I have to keep them separated? It's getting quite tedious managing the whole situation. Also, how well do those ComfortZone plugins work? When do you think Sunny will be big enough to defend herself?

Thatks for any tips, and sorry for the novel!

Replies (6)

JaimeMarie Jun 06, 2004 08:34 AM

Sunny will learn to stay away from Butch. It took Gabby a couple of months to learn the Crash did not like her and to stay away.

I have never tried the comfort zone plug ins, but I have heard they work wonders. I am going to try the plugins when I move Crash and Gabby in with my bf's cat Moxie.
Good luck with your new kitten. Every cat is different. Butch might start to accept her in a another week or so. It took the other four cats in our house about a month to accept Gabby. Crash was the only grumpy one. And when I brought Tucker home it took three days with Boots and Lizzy. They thought he was their new baby. Of course Tucker (4 weeks old at the time)was a little devil and would tackle Boots (18 pounds)and make Boots cry.
Here is a pic of Tuck as a baby

and Boots

Tucker and Gabby playing a few weeks after Gabby came home.

Lizzy and Gabby now

And I can't leave out Grumpy Crash

Oh and of course Moxie who doesn't live with the other cats. She lives with Buddy and Patches right now, and her cousin Loki comes to visit once in a while. She and Buddy accepted Loki right away but Patches still hates him.


-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

ButchNSunny Jun 06, 2004 03:39 PM

Great pictures! You have such adorable cats, especially little Tucker! I hope my cats will get along like yours seem to...

I looked for the comfort zone plug in at the pet store today and couldn't find it. I'll see if I can order it online... it sounds like a good idea, especially since Butch just started clawing the furniture (it's gotta be a reaction to the kitten, because it's a new behavior).

Thanks for the advice! I'm sure they'll start to get along soon... (I hope!)

ButchNSunny Jun 06, 2004 04:08 PM

I forgot to post pics in my last message...

This is Sunny the first night we got her.

Sunny again (she's less than 1 lb!)

And big Butch (about 16 lean pounds)

JaimeMarie Jun 06, 2004 07:29 PM

Sunny is really cute. ANd Butch is a hansome guy.
Sunny reminds me of what Patches looked like as a kitten (muted or diluted calico). In the picture below is Patches and Buddy. Patches is about 10 yrs old and Buddy is 9. They live at my bf's parents house with Moxie.

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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

ButchNSunny Jun 06, 2004 09:22 PM

Pretty kitties!

I had a cat named Buddy when I was a kid... great name!

JaimeMarie Jun 07, 2004 04:12 PM

>>Pretty kitties!
>>
>>I had a cat named Buddy when I was a kid... great name!

I think it's a popular name. Of course I call Patches evil cat. Buddy is one of the sweetest cats I have ever met. He loves everything and eveyone. I brought Gabby over when she was akitten. He adopted her quick as a flash. She wasn't to happy to have a bath from a cat that wasn't her mom LOL.
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

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