Second kitty en route!

[shelby]

All is good so far tonight. New F5 kitty is in his own room... Happy, ate some food, is really into toys and playing, much more than our F6 was when we first got him.

Meanwhile our F6 was running around wondering what the new smell was, he's a very loud cat, meowing non-stop, but that doesn't seem to bother the new kitty.

My girlfriend is going to stay with the F5 tonight and I'll sleep with our F6 so he isn't too impacted by all the new excitement.

Once they start communicating through the door and get acquainted this way...the first meeting should go well. Are they neutered and spayed already?

 

[Shabbis]

Yes. Both are males and neutered. We've had the 5 month old for two months now.

 

[John Popp]

A poor early introduction can only lengthen the amount of time for acceptance. I don't think there is a timeline because they all are different, just waiting until defensive postures and hissing is replaced by curiosity before they get a first glimpse of one another. Feeding near the quarantine door followed by tying a couple felt mice tails together with one on either side of the door gives them time to get used to the other, learn their scent and figure out that they like to play as well.

A poor introduction that is pervasive, can become a learned behavior that can take a long time to remedy. Slow and easy is a much better path and will pay great dividends for the long life they'll have together.

 

[shelby]

Since both are neutered.....you should have smooth sailing ...once they meet, greet and accept each other;>)

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

It shouldn't take too long, they are both babies so will see the appeal of having a playmate pretty quickly once they are over the "strangeness" of each other

 

[Shabbis]

Both kitties are already playing footsies under the door. Lots of meowing on both sides, no growling. Our 5 month F6 resident just sits outside the safe room waiting for a paw. He's getting a little pushy whenever I try to take him away from the door. The F5 really wants out of the safe room and the F6 really wants in. Quite comical.

I've been spending time in the safe room with the F5 and he has bitten me quite hard a couple times, enough to draw a lot of blood, when I was interacting with him. No warning, scared or angry behavior. Seems like intentional play mixed with nervousness maybe so the bite is harder than usual?

At this point if the biting doesn't diminish, we won't be able introduce him to my girlfriend's six year old child.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Were you interacting with your hands? Play with a kitten should not use your hands, general rule... pick up a wand toy...and most definitely a child should learn to always play with the wand toy and not hands...

Yes, the kitten is nervous and may react quicker than you picking up any hints of this... give the kitten time to settle and see then. I wouldn't assume that this initial behavior is what this kitten will do once more secure and at home.

 

[shelby]

It may be that you are anxious to hold the new baby? If so I would let him come to me. If you are in any way trying to catch or perhaps remove him from a place he is considering a safe place for now. Grabbing or trying to bring him out by force could very well make a scared cat nip or bite. This would be any cat. You will not be able to force yourself on him...it will be his decision and on his time. Be patient and do not put yourself in a position that will cause this behavior. Hopefully this is a frightened cat reaction. Be patient and let him settle down. You can't force yourself on him. The reason I say this...you did not say exactly what action on your part...brought on the reaction on his part;>)

 

[scorpius]

My girlfriend is currently bringing home a 9 month old F5 to befriend our F6 5 month old.

We will see how the introduction goes tonight.

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Cool. I hope their interaction works out good.

I will have to do the same in about 6 weeks when my F1 kitten arrives. I'm planning on quarantining him in a cage/room for 1-2 weeks prior to interaction with bigger F2 bro Shango. ...dj

 

[Shabbis]

So yesterday we put resident cat in his safe room and let new cat explore. We have a pretty small place so all went well, he's very social and loves to be held.

After that it was paws under the door, went really well. Door cracked open to sniff also went well.

So I let the new kitty out this morning and played him while the resident kitty watched. Resident kitty was shy and a little scared, but warmed up really quickly. Soon they started to play and have been happily playing for about 2 hours.

Only time there has been hissing is when new kitty has a toy. But the resident respects the hiss and rolls over on his belly.

Now they are rolling around and wrestling quietly. What are the signs when the wrestling escalates?