Cat question....introducing a kitten into a home with a senior

[ikojo]

cat.

My niece had to move back home and her mom really does not want her to bring her kitten with her (there is a bird that is allowed to walk around the house and my sister is afraid the cat will kill the bird).

I have been asked to be a foster home of sorts for this cat until my niece can move out on her own again. I don't know whether my niece will ever move out or even take ownership of the cat, I do know that it is currently not in a good situation (it is currently living with her boyfriend's mother who has made it clear she does not want the cat).

I have a senior cat who will be 15 years old in May.

So, if I were to agree to take this cat (I am assuming it's forever and look at it that way)...how do I go about introducing a KITTEN (and kitten ENERGY) to a senior cat?

Thank you to all the cat experts!

[Sannum]

1. Gradually.

Keep them seperated and gradually let them spend time with each other. Let them bond a little bit at a time. The Senior cat will probably enjoy having the kitten around eventually. They should be pals in no time. Just don't introduce them too fast.

Good Luck!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Keep them separated at first.

You could keep the kitten in a carrier at first so the older cat can sniff it and get used to the scent. There will probably be some hissing and snarling at first, but they usually get over it pretty fast -- I brought a kitten home to my 13-year-old cat last winter and they were fine with each other within about 24 hours. One other method I've heard of, but never tried, is to smear vanilla extract on the cats so they both smell like vanilla and their respective smells don't upset them.

[City of Mills]

3. One thing I would do

Is rub the kitten with a towel and then rub the senior cat with the same towel, and vice versa. Cats are very sensitive to each other's smells, so it's good to get them used to each other's scent.

[alittlelark]

4. You are making a smart assumption by 'forever'.

It depends on the personalities of the cats.... but in general - feed senior 1st, give senior priority petting, when playing w/kitten play w/ senior (if s/he plays, if not, pet).

If senior looks disgusted w/ jr, slowly blink at senior - it shows comfort and understanding.

It generally works out after a few weeks - but don't let jr torment sr for too long.

[yardwork]

5. What are the sexes of the cats in question?

If your older cat is a male, then there will probably be no problem, especially if the kitten is female.

If your older cat is female, you may have some problems. Female cats are very territorial. Use special care in introducing them if this is the case.

[ikojo]

6. My older cat is female but spayed.

I *think* the junior cat is female. I will confirm that next weekend when I am visiting my sister.

[yardwork]

8. Well, they may never become best buddies

but they'll learn to live with one another. The older one will probably dominate the younger one.

[LandOLincoln]

7. It also helps if they're

opposite sexes, although in this case I guess you don't have that choice.

I will be very surprised if your old cat doesn't perk up considerably after a short while. Nothing like a kitten to bring new life to old bones.