I am feeling guilty and stressed. Old cat/new kitten.

[happiechik]

Oh my goodness, I am soooo stressed. I have just adopted a kitten from the humane society yesterday, and I thought because my existing diva cat was 9, that a baby male would be the best. I brought him home last night, and all hell broke loose. I kept him in the carrier, and put him in the middle of the floor- my cat came up, puffed up, started hissing, growling, and swatted the cage. Hank (the kitten) was growling back and was all puffed up. I felt really bad for the little guy, as he is new to the house, new to me, and new to everything, and now this. I was told by my vet to keep him in the carrier while she sniffed his scent.
I put him in a separate room that I had gotten ready for him (the spare bedroom) and closed the door. Sarah, the 9 year old diva, has no interest in sniffing the door or anything, so I have been trying to get each others scents to the different cats. I didn't even sleep last night, as I am so worried about him being locked in the room by himself with his food, litter, toys, etc. I even put a radio in there to keep him company. I am trying to give a lot of attention too to Sarah, but how do you split the time equally, and still bond with the kitten, and let the cats get to know one another. I would like some sleep soon, but am too anxious regarding their cat behaviour that I don't know what to do. I feel bad for little Hank having to stay there all by himself, and I feel bad for Sarah because she is MY baby.
HELP!!

[QueenScoopalot]

Congrats on your new baby, but to give an elder cat a break, adopting two kittens at once makes the adjustment much easier on the elder. ;) They will play with each other (especially sliblings) and let your Sarah have her much deserved peace and quiet! ;) And even if all of Hanks siblings are adopted, a young kitten that seems to play well with others may be your best bet. Adjustment times vary, but keep them separated at first in a small room, and gradually acclimate the newcomer(s) to the resident Queen. Exchanging sleeping bedding is a good way of them allowing the chance to smell the newcomer, without face to face altercations. ;)

[jenluckenbach]

Don't panic, the behavior you describe is normal. Do not feel guilty about keeping the kitten in a spare room. It is BEST to start him that way.

It is true that a kitten's high energy level is best countered with another kitten (as many adults cats find babies much too rowdy), but the plus side is that he is not a threat to your adult and will probably simply allow her to be "boss".

Introducing cats should be done slowly, so don't worry that they did not hit is off at first. It WILL take a while.

Have fun with yout baby, and congratulations.

[Freedom]

A new addition, what fun!

It takes time for them to adjust, anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks. What you are describing is a normal reaction - by both of them.

When I bring in a new one, that one sleeps on my bed with me - with the door closed and the others outside in the rest of the house. I hate doing that to the exisitng kitties, as they are used to sleeping with me during the night. But I need the newbie to bond with ME, and especially a young kitten. I want it to know that I am here for it and it can come to me. It can rely on me to take care of it.

Depending on the size of the kitten and the way the personalities are going, this may go on for a week. I find that having all of them in with me at night happens BEFORE I can trust them together during the day, especially if I am out at work. They all learn that, when I am present, there WILL be peace!

When Chestnut arrived 8 years ago, he was just a little 1 pound sickly kitten. So he slept in the carrier on my bed with me, and after the first night, I let the others come in and sleep on the bed with me and the carrier.

Hope this gives you some ideas to consider.

Getting the opposite sex was the right way to go! Now start enjoying the new little one, and the positive interactions between the 2 will happen in a VERY short time.