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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 [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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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[–] [email protected] 37 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Lots of good responses here already.

One additional point from my own cats and dogs - if the introduction goes smoothly, and they become friends (or even tolerant rivals), the older pet lives longer and healthier.

The younger pet encourages the older to stay a bit more active, which helps their health - as long as the older has some retreat options.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

I know a single data point is pretty worthless. But here is our most recent experience.

When we suddenly lost one of our 5 year old brother cats, the one who was still with us got lethargic and very obviously wasn't himself. We waited about 2 months then brought two rescue kittens home about a week apart, and did a fairly relaxed intro for each before bringing in the next.

He hissed at both of them for the first 5 minutes when physical contact was allowed but otherwise he left them alone for a few days each.

Within a week they were sleeping together. Now they can often all three be found in a big furpile licking each other and he is back to his playful self. We considered not getting another friend for him. But we are so very happy we did.

Cat Tax: Batman (The older brother) is on the bottom left, Eddie Vedder Allen Poe is the one sitting up, and Skeeter can be seen squinting on the right as she always does when she is in her happy place.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 7 months ago (1 children)

That's an adorable void pile you got there!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

Thanks. I won't tell them or it'll just go to their head.