[Sweetooth EMT-P, RN]

Hi all,

I need help.. Here is the problem: I had one kitten, her name is Winnie and I got her about a month ago at the shelter she is now about 3 months old. She was obviously getting bored during my long days at work ( I work 12's) so I thought I would get her a buddy. So off to the shelter I go. I picked up Keaton who is about 9-10 weeks old. The shelter told me to keep them completely seperated for about three days which I am doing now (it is complete torture by the way because which ever one is in the room alone starts to cry). they also told me to alternate which cat is kept in a room which I have also been doing. I am just wondering where to I go from here, if anyobne can tell me from experience.

Has anyone else been through this, and did it work???? The new cat also has a great personality and I am quickly becomming just as attached to the little guy so I realllyy really want them to get along once they are put together... ANY SUGGESTIONS??? Thanks for any info


Sweetooth

[Tait]

Put them together and let them play. Sounds like they are keeping them separated mostly to let them each have time to mark dominance over the space, however they are pretty young so I say just let them work it out themselves

Oh and make sure to watch if Keaton and Winnie start to get too "friendly". Our cats, Gavin and Heidi, wound up fixed about a month early because they hit puberty too soon. :P

Tait

[Pepper The Cat]

I read somewhere that you can dap a little vanilla on each cat - it makes them smell similar to each other or something, and helps them make friends faster. I have also heard that they may fight at first but just stand back and let them.
Now, I've never tried either of these, my place is a one cat palace ruled by Pepper the Vampire Cat!

[canoehead]

Let them play together. They are both clearly lonesome! I've tried the separation thing and it never works for me. I end up with crying from both sides of the door and paws reaching underneath. I know it's what every vet says to do, but it seems guaranteed to frustrate everyone involved. Put the new guy in a crate, and leave the door open, while your original cat is snoozing. Cat #2 will get a general layout of the house, and then go back and check out cat #1. Make sure #2 sees the litterbox and food/water before he's distracted, and then you are golden.

I've had many, many cats, as many as 8 at a time, and the cats will work it out for themselves. You should have the doors open to other rooms, and something to hide under, so if someone wants a break they can get away. There will probably be some dramatic sound effects at some point, but that's true even of long time housemates. When there is a new cat in my home I plan on staying home to supervise for the first few days, but I don't interfere in a scuffle unless there is bloodshed, or someone gets cornered and can't get away. I've never seen blood lost when a new cat has come in. Usually the rockiest meetings result in the new guy living mostly in a bedroom for a while. I make a point to go in a talk or cuddle a few times a day, and give extra attention to whoever is the most put out at having a new housemate.

[canoehead]

One last thing- there will probably be friction if one goes away and comes home smelling like the vet. I would recommend getting them fixed ASAP and on the same day. If that's not possible I've had to bathe cats that have had a vet visit, so they could have some peace, and rest comfortably when they got home.

[akcarmean]

Put them together let them play and work it out for themselves. Yes there maybe some fighting at first but then maybe not. I have never done the separation thing.

I have even brought and younger kitten in the house with a cat that was several yrs. older and they worked it out (even if it was only being civil with each other.

[Joe NightingMale]

I'd just like to echo the advice of everyone else. I only kept my two separated for a day or two...keeping one in the bathroom for a day or so and periodically opening the door a crack and letting the two meet. Then putting the new cat in a crate and letting him meet my other cat. They fight on occasion and may never be great friends, but they get along fine most times.

[Alois Wolf]

I can't believe they told you to keep them separated. I know you're supposed to do that with older cats because they could attack each other but when they are that young they need as much attention and love as possible to become trusting loving animals. I've had a lot of cats in my life (I'm in love with them. I want a Siamese SO bad. they really are one of the things that make life worth living) and the only time I've ever had to separate the "noob" is when they are older. When that's the case I slowly introduce the two. Like I I will put a gate up and observe the two of them and if they seem friendly enough I take the two of them and rub their necks together so they get each others scent on them. Then I take the gate down and see how they act. If i sense any aggression I just take it more slowly. It's trial and error, but I'm sure they will be fine. GET THEM FIXED ASAP! They get ueber territorial and will spray in the presence of other animals.

[LPN,RNNow]

We brought home a new baby in June along with a rabbit. We let the kitten just jump on in. Actually she only got to jump in for a bit. My 7 year old son is a big animal lover and for about the kittens first 5 months of life she hardly touched the floor , except for when the kids were in school. The new kitten fits in well with the other 2. I have yet to get her spayed, and we recently went through a heat. OMG! It was awful.

[jlsRN]

Put them together. They are young and will soon be best friends and running everywhere.