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Is it a bad idea to introduce a new kitten to a house where there is already an older cat? (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by NONE_dc@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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In recent days we have been giving home to a black kitten less than a month old yet to be named, the thing is that we already have a cat at home. My cat "Rubia" has been with us for 13 years now, beyond having lost her eyesight due to age, she is very healthy. But since the new kitty arrived I have seen her very stressed. She can't smell or hear the new kitten without snorting, she eats very little and hasn't gone to the bathroom for a couple of days. I've seen videos on YouTube and read several articles where they say this is normal, but I can't help but worry. I'm worried that forcing her to accept a new cat will affect her health at the age she is, but I also don't want to just abandon the new kitten, although if it turns out that things aren't going to improve, I would be forced to look for someone who can adopt her....

Update: Thank you all so much for your advice, I will do my best to follow them 💜. Recently Rubia has returned to use her litter box normally, and although she still doesn't like Morena (tentative name of the new kitten), I feel more optimistic, we just have to take things slowly.

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[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 7 months ago

I adopted a new male adult to join my male adult and the new one wanted to be friends. The established one wouldn’t accept him. They didn’t get along until we moved and neither had a territorial claim.

I think you can take objects (like a blanket or towel) that they have used and get each other used to the scents. I have only tried this once (only adopted a new kitty with an established kitty twice). Not sure how effective it is.

Most important, to me: pet the established kitty first every time you come into the room. A kitty died and I brought in a new kitten. I always talked to and pet the adult first so that she didn’t feel like she was being replaced / reduced jealousy. I don’t know how much this helped, but I think it was better than had I pampered the kitten first. That’s just vibes, but it sure didn’t hurt.