I have just recently adopted a six month old kitten and introduced him to my cat of 10 years, Tucker. They began sniffing each other and then just walked away uninterested in the other. Well, now a week later my older cat is acting out and urinating on a bed, the carpet, laundry and several places other than his litter box.
What can I do? I definitely cannot get rid of my Tucker after all the years I have had him and I love the newly adopted male (who has also been neutered).
I would greatly appreciate any help or suggestion anyone has.
I agree with Susan except the part about male vs female. I have four cats, three males and one female. All three males are best buddies and the female is not so nice. You know the expression being "catty" - well it comes from observing females cats!
RE: How Do I Introducing Kitten to 10 Year Old Cat?
By Susan in Ca. (Guest Post)
Start by separating the two. Give the kitten a room to himself, and the older cat the run of the rest of the house. Sounds like Tucker is definitely bent out of shape! Each cat should have their own litter box and special feeding area.
When feeding, feed Tucker first, preferably up on a counter (a higher "superior" place). This will give Tucker security in knowing he is still the "top cat". Everybody loves a baby and Tucker knows it!
When showing affection, ALWAYS pick Tucker up first. You've introduced another male into your home. A female kitten would have been better.
Sometimes it never works, other times it just takes time for the older cat to adjust. Sometimes switching bedding back and forth so that they become accustomed to the other's scent helps. If you can get them to play together that's also an ice breaker.
RE: How Do I Introducing Kitten to 10 Year Old Cat?
By Carrie (Guest Post)
Nelwyn, Our oldest cat Mollie recently began doing the same thing (with urinating) when we moved to our new house. We have three other younger cats one of them is about 6 months old. All of a sudden she just STOPPED using the littler box. NOW, we have another litter box in our office and keep Mollie in the office at nights. She is a solitary cat, so this really has made a huge difference in her personality and how she acts towards her owners! She now has her own "room" with her own "toilet" and food and water, she's as happy as she can be! We let her roam the house with the other kitties when we are home, but otherwise, she has to stay in her "room." This was the only solution we could find. We tried other things, but nothing seemed to work! I hope you can find a solution so you can keep your older kitty!! Mollie is pictures below...
RE: How Do I Introducing Kitten to 10 Year Old Cat?
By Carrie (Guest Post)
Nelwyn, Our oldest cat Mollie recently began doing the same thing (with urinating) when we moved to our new house. We have three other younger cats one of them is about 6 months old. All of a sudden she just STOPPED using the littler box. NOW, we have another litter box in our office and keep Mollie in the office at nights. She is a solitary cat, so this really has made a huge difference in her personality and how she acts towards her owners! She now has her own "room" with her own "toilet" and food and water, she's as happy as she can be! We let her roam the house with the other kitties when we are home, but otherwise, she has to stay in her "room." This was the only solution we could find. We tried other things, but nothing seemed to work! I hope you can find a solution so you can keep your older kitty!! Mollie is pictures below...
We just went through a similar problem, our older cat wasn't urinating around the house, but we thought they might kill each other. They mellowed out and are now the best of friends, it took a couple weeks though. However, this could also be a bladder infection and a coincedence on the timing of the new kitten. I would suggest calling your vet and find out their thoughts. Hope I've helped.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
