New kitten

[MorganDax]

I posted this in the sticky about introducing a new family member, but it seems nobody is following that thread anymore.

So...

I've had a new Savannah kitten (3 months old) in her nursery (quarantine room) for 3 days now. I jumped the gun a bit with letting the previous 3 year old Savannah resident see and sniff the carrier both when we brought the kitten home, and then the next day with a gate system and feeding on either side of it.
My 3 year old Savannah is not keen on the kitten and she sat there growling the entire time she could see the kitten, and hissed when the kitten came close.
I already had strong suspicions my 3 year old wasn't going to be welcoming, just based on the couple of previous interactions I've seen her have with other pets. She's very territorial and is used to being the only cat, so I feel really dumb that I let my excitement for them to be friends get in the way of a proper and slow introduction which would have been better for them both.

It's so sad though because whenever the kitten is scared. She hides away and is only just now starting to come out for me when I go in her room and call to her softly. But if the 3 year old meows anywhere near her door, the kitten wants to go running to her! The kitten misses her mom and litter-mates so she feels better with the other cat around, but the 3 year old cat is having none of it.

Have I already made huge mistakes here with the introductions? I've backed off (at the suggestion of my breeder) and haven't put up the gate again, but I did put extra tasty food (canned) down by the door for the 3 year old. The kitten could hear her eating though (and probably smell it too) and was just sniffing around the door and the 3 year old still growled and hissed even with the door closed.

Should I not be feeding them at the door since the 3 year old is so agitated? At what point do I try again? Do I scold the 3 year old for growling and hissing, or try to soothe her? Will she take petting and soothing words as encouragement for the behaviour? I was giving her treats whenever she wasn't growling (she's very food driven) but soon as she wasn't eating the treat she growled again.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[DumaLove]

I would go back to where you should have started and have zero contact between the 2 for a minimum of 2 weeks. That means no feeding outside the door or any visual or audible contact. Then after the 2 weeks start doing scent swapping and see how it goes with the resident cat, sounds like she will be the one to determine the timeline on introductions.

 

[MorganDax]

I would go back to where you should have started and have zero contact between the 2 for a minimum of 2 weeks. That means no feeding outside the door or any visual or audible contact. Then after the 2 weeks start doing scent swapping and see how it goes with the resident cat, sounds like she will be the one to determine the timeline on introductions.

That sounds like good advice. Just before I read your reply the 3 year old was sniffing at the door. She seemed more curious than afraid or hostile, which I thought was progress, so I put down some treats for her. Do you think that's a bad idea still?

 

[MorganDax]

Also, any thoughts on how I should react when she is being aggressive?

Maybe I should not react at all?

Or tell her "no." when she growls?
I'm not sure how to best encourage nice (or at least neutral) behaviour towards the kitten, and avoid causing any resentment towards the kitten.

 

[DumaLove]

I would keep her away from the door as much as possible for at least a week. I wouldn't reprimand her for being territorial, that is just a natural cat instinct. What I would do is redirect her elsewhere and reward her when she is not focused on the kitten. She needs encouragement that she is still loved and not being replaced by the new family member.

 

[MorganDax]

I would keep her away from the door as much as possible for at least a week. I wouldn't reprimand her for being territorial, that is just a natural cat instinct. What I would do is redirect her elsewhere and reward her when she is not focused on the kitten. She needs encouragement that she is still loved and not being replaced by the new family member.

It will be difficult to keep her away from the door. The room is right next to my office, where I spend most of my time when I'm at home. And the rest of the time I'm at work. I'm not going to lock up the 3 year old while I'm gone at work, that seems even worse for her. But I can certainly stop encouraging it!

 

[Rob1984]

It will be difficult to keep her away from the door. The room is right next to my office, where I spend most of my time when I'm at home. And the rest of the time I'm at work. I'm not going to lock up the 3 year old while I'm gone at work, that seems even worse for her. But I can certainly stop encouraging it!

have you thought of a scat mat?

also cute kitten what generation is she?

 

[MorganDax]

have you thought of a scat mat?

also cute kitten what generation is she?

The 3 year old hasn't growled or hissed or shown any signs of irritation for at least 24 hours now. I bought one of those Feliway diffusers yesterday from my vet and it's plugged in near the door. So I don't think it's necessary to keep her away from it at this time. She's been acting utterly normal. Playing well, eating well, snuggling and begging for food, just like she always does, haha.

The kitten is a SBT F7. She is super cute, thanks!

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I would cease encouraging your adult cat to hang around that door. But no, don't scold her for hissing and growling, but speak reassuringly to her and be sure to spend good amounts of time with your adult cat reassuring her that she is still the queen of the house. Lots of treats and playtime and cuddles...just not near your office.

 

[admin]

It is all normal...I raise the kittens I breed in the house and have a screen door for my bedroom and the other cats in the house usually growl and hiss at the kittens... And the kittens were born here... Just go slow, start over with quarantine and do scent swapping... Perhaps get some feliway multicat plugins also


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