We plan to get a kitten to keep our 4 1/2 year old (very territorial but not too aggressive)altered male MC company. (Our older female recently died--he and she were introduced as adults and never really bonded.)We recently met a well-socialized, charming and very playful 5-month old female MC that we want to get. The question: although she seems very kittenish to us, would our boy view her as an adult and have more trouble bonding to her than he would to a younger kitten that he could "raise"?

-- Anonymous, October 08, 1999

Answers

I don't believe there is any definitive answer as to whether or not adult cats adapt better to kittens than to other adult cats. In my experience it depends entirely on the two animals involved. Some adults do not like all the kitten antics and feel better with a more calm newcomer. Others like kittens and react more negatively to other adults. You do not say if the little girl is spayed yet or not. It would be better if she were spayed before she meets the male, I believe, even though I realize your boy has already been neutered. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing how they will react to each other until they meet. The best way to do the introductions is to have the new cat in a room in your house where your existing cat cannot see it but can smell it (under the door). You should leave the newcomer in there for at least a week while the two of them get used to each other's smell through the door and on your clothes. Then let the new one out to explore another room while your other cat is kept away. Now the new cat knows two rooms and all the escape routes. You can then let your present cat into the room and let the two of them meet. DO NOT HOLD ONTO EITHER CAT!! There is bound to be some hissing and one will probably run away, but hopefully there will be no physical attack. Do not leave the two cats alone with your supervision. Separate them into their own rooms at night or when you are out of the house. After you are sure they get along well together you can safely leave them. Always make sure the cats have "escape routes" and preferably high places to climb to. Good luck.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 1999

Sorry...one sentence should read "do not leave the two cats alone WITHOUT your supervision."

-- Anonymous, October 08, 1999

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-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000