Introducing cats to each other should not be rushed. It is easy to think; she’ll be right, and thrust them together and see what happens. Yes sometimes, if you have two placid cats, then that approach may work, but the majority of times regardless of what temperament you think your cat has, you just don’t know, it can take time for them to adjust.
I have had plenty of experience. Introducing my fostering fur babies to my three cats, Oscar, Milly and, my recent foster fail, LittleMiss, has definitely helped. I have had up to nine cats and kittens all playing together, and that was only possible with patience.
I found it best to designate a small space in your home.
Your fur new fur babies arrival should be stress-free and an enjoyable time. If you are lucky to have an enclosed room such as a small bedroom then that would be perfect; you just need a place that the kitties can get used too, they can begin to relax and a space that is protected.
Personally, I don’t. When I foster kittens, the bathroom is the best place for them; it’s enclosed and safe for them and a room I pop in and out of regularly.
The tiled floor keeps it an easy area to keep clean for both you and the cats. Make an area cosy by scattering old towels and maybe some cushions or cat bed if you have one. It also makes it a lot more comfortable for you to sit and play with them. Make the space exciting for them. I have found that kittens love playing in the shower tray area or bath, especially if you give them a small cat ball, it becomes an excellent football pitch!
Once your room is set up and you kitties have food water and their litter tray, I leave them alone for a bit to settle. 9 out of 10 times it works and when I pop back in they have adventured away from their carry basket and started to explore.
Spend time with your new fur babies in this room, sit and play with them until they gain their confidence, let them explore you, and gently hold each of them, stroke and pat them do as much as they can so they earn your trust.
Swap a towel and toys of your existing cat in with your new arrival and vice verse; this is an excellent way to get them use to each of their smells. I find that over the first 24 hours, curiosity gets the better of my cats, and they start sniffing around the bathroom door, let the cats see each other, slowly but not meet.
Once I know they are all aware of each other, and if the kitten’s natural “Houdini” tendencies haven’t allowed them to escape, I move them into a more open area, segregated with a pet gate. I have covered mine with clear plastic. This allows the kittens can see through, but not get through; being so small. This area allows each of them to see one another but not yet have much contact. My three cats eventually do explore the kittens, normally my foster fail LittleMiss is first as she just wants to play, Oscar normally has a good old sniff now and again, Milly just watches from afar, but never really does much.
After a day or so, or depending if I see conflict I slowly introduce one cat at a time, but only for a short period and check how they react. Overtime and using judgement, I let them play together, or in Milly’s case watch, but always your existing cat a break. Again shutting the kittens up into their enclosure, especially at night or when you are not at home is a very good idea.
Over time they will get used to each other. Of course, some cats are a lot timid than others, and some just don’t play but tolerate one another, having said that, Milly does now and again interact and have her five minutes of madness around the house!
Check out this video, its so cute and hopefully; it can also help you…