Kitten introduction

Scatty

I have Poppy (she started off life as Oscar until everyone - including the vet - realised she was actually female!!). She's 7 months old and spayed and beautiful!! And lonely. I'm out all day and she's an indoor baby. We have great fun together in the evening (I have little choice - LOTS of miaowing!) and she sleeps when I do BUT wants attention from 4.30am onwards.


I have the opportunity to adopt Coco, an 8 month old brown kitten who has not been spayed. She's an indoor kitten too.


The thing is, my house is small and very open plan and I don't have a separate room for introductions. It would literally be me bringing Coco into the house in a carrier and plonking it on the floor for Poppy to sniff at. I can't use the bathroom for intros as Poppy herself is banned from there unless I'm with her as I don't like to leave her with cleaning products etc (no cupboard, easy cat access to window sill).


I have NO idea how this is going to go. Poppy has become less cuddly and more teenagey so I'm not too worried about her ignoring me in favour of Coco but equally I'm worried Coco will want cuddles and Poppy gets jealous.


Any tips for a quick intro? Hopefully will get Coco tomorrow and then I'm back at work Monday morning........

jessica2803

Get a large dog crate for newbie, so they can see and sniff at each other but not get at each other. If you rush it, you will just spoil relations to come. We got a 4 month old boy when our resident girl was 11 months. The temptation is to just chuck them together and let them get on with it, but that leads for two very grumpy cats. We used a screen door to separate them for the first week or two. I would also suggest a scent swap, so put one of Poppy's blankets in Coco's bed and vice versa. Also get Coco spayed as soon as possible!

Hope this helps.