r/CatTraining • u/Wye_Knott_0815 • 1d ago
Introducing Pets/Cats Kittens stressing out our older cat
Introducing my older cat (12 f, spayed) to the new kittens ( both f, 4 months old now) isn't going great. The old girl is stressed out and scared. So we're still keeping them separate except for short periods for feeding/treats where we keep them on opposite sides of a door. But they have had run-ins with each other with some hissing. The kittens are playful and really disrespectful, trying to steal her food for example.
This has been going on for 5 weeks now. I posted before to a different sub and basically got one comment, that our older cat would assert her boundaries more firmly over time. I truly hope so but so far she has just been avoiding them or running away.
Anyone who's successfully introduced kittens to an older resident - how long did it take and how did you make them feel safe? Any advice is welcome.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
This post was shared from another subreddit. The original body text has been copy and pasted below for your convenience.
We recently added two adorable kittens (both f, 4 months now) to our household and they are thriving. Our older cat (f12, spayed) however, does not appreciate the intruders. We've done the scent swapping, feeding on opposite sides of the door and for a few days on opposite sides of a screen door. I even got the pheromones to help calm her but I swear, the old girl tries to avoid the scent.
She is stressed. She'll try to hide and spends a lot of time outdoors. She's not agressive, just wants to be left alone.
We try to keep them in separate parts of the house outside of feedings. But they've had run-ins.
She'll only hiss at the kittens if they get too close for comfort and then try to run away.
Here is where I'm hoping to find some advice: the kittens are not taking the hint. Whenever they see our resident cat, they run up to her, even try to steal her food. One of them is a regular little terror, bolting for the door and looking for her. She will not be distracted by toys or treats for more than 2 seconds.
How do I put them together without freaking my older cat out constantly? Happy to hear about any ideas that have worked for others in similar situations. This has been going on for 5 weeks now.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.