How to handle new arrival?

RazWaz

I heard through a friend, that a family they know were going to have a kitten put to sleep. They had bread a purebread litter, and all were perfect silver longhairs apart from the runt, a tiny black and white boy.

Well I saw a picture of the little fellow and my heart broke, and I said I'll take him. I know I shouldn't follow my heart but I'm going to be more strict in the future, my LandLord has a 3 cat rule and he will be the third so no more after this.

When I introduced Morti and Dylan, they fought it out for days until they settled in and are now best friends (sleeping curled up and grooming each other). This kitten is a fraction of the size of my two and I'm worried he wont be able to hold his own.

I figured I should just keep him close to make sure he doesn't get hurt but does anyone have any tips on how to introduce the new fella into my home.

scaredy_cat

you could try a feliway plug in.

RazWaz

It wouldn't arrive in time, but you did give me an idea! I got a catnip spray a couple of weeks ago, I could maybe put it on their toys and see if that will get them all playing together rather than fighting.

Celli

Catnip quite often doesn't work on kittens, but you could give it a go, try it out on the resident kittens first though, as sometimes it makes them a bit wild, which you don't want.
Is there anyone you could borrow a puppy crate from ?, I'd use that for initial introductions.

Can't believe someone would have a kitten pts because it was the wrong colour, or that a vet would do it.:(

paddypaws101

Obviously you are going to take it slowly and introduce them gradually....but I don't think you need to worry too much about the size difference.
I have often noticed teenage cats 'pulling their punches' when playing with a much smaller kitten. Although the tiny kittens are often quite challenging and frantic in their play attacks!
PICTURES razwaz!

RazWaz

He's coming tomorrow I'm so excited, Dylan and Morti have spent most of the last two days at the top of their new cat tree, so I'm hoping if the little one annoys them they will just escape up there.

I had a hilarious moment this morning though, I took them round to my mothers to have a play in the garden, and was sat inside with my mother. Dylan jumped onto the breakfast table and ran off with a slice of bacon before anyone could catch him. Cue me and my mother running around after a growling cat that kept tripping over the bacon. In the end we have up and let them have half each, there is grease all over my mums living room but it was so funny we've forgiven them. He growls like a tiger but he's tiny and so cute that I can't help laughing every time I hear it.

Happibunni

There used to be videos on YouTube about how to introduce a new cat to the rest of the family - not sure if they are still there though.

Best wishes for your new arrival

RazWaz

Morti and Dylan are not too happy. I've kept Dante with me at all times, he's so cuddly that it's not a problem, he just curled up and went to sleep next to me.

The others keep running up to have a sniff, then running off again after hissing/growling, but they haven't outright attacked him. I gave them food on opposite sides of the room and Morti stood there glaring at him until he finished.

I've tried playing games with all three but as soon as Dante joins in, they run to the side of the room and glare. I know they will come around in the end, I just hate seeing them unhappy.

springer211

Nasty people who would do that to a perfectly healthy, lovely kitten :mad:
well done for taking him in

spike241

RazWaz wrote: »

I've kept Dante with me at all times

I haven't had to deal with this for years so my advice may not be helpful.

I'm not sure keeping him with you is helping things though. The other cats might get jealous if the new cat is getting more of your attention.

Buttonmoons

Cats do get jealous, 1 of my male cats, who is a pain in the £@$@%££@ - cant bear if you are stroking another cat, he sits glaring and quite often tries to launch an attach on them, especially if it's the female one.