Advice on whether I can introduce a kitten into my 2 cat home
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:19 pm
Hiya,
I have two cats, brother and sister that are 14yo. I took them from the rescue center as kittens, thinking I shouldn't separate the brother and sister and maybe they'll be friends for each other. Well that didn't happen. The sister was the cat that was friends with every person in the house except for her brother. She made it clear from the beginning that she doesn't like him. No fights, just cool and snobby disdain and an occasional raising of her paw to him in a comic threat if he comes too near. The sad thing is, he is lovely to her and has tried to cuddle up to her on more than one occasion and she's not having it. They're OK, they keep their distance now and that's that.
She is now looking very old and not well, so she keeps herself to my youngest son's room and never comes out anymore, except to eat, but then is straight back upstairs. She no longer wants cuddles or attention from the rest of the family, just wants to be left in peace, which we do. She's very arthritc, so on medication, and best left to rest. The problem is, she was the all round family cat, whereas my gentle male is very shy and nervous around my kids so sticks to me like glue, and while he lets them stroke him, it's only a tolerance for a minute or two, nothing more. So I feel we're missing a general house cat that can get along with everyone.
But, I'm very nervous to introduce a new kitten into a house with two established cats. We could make sure to keep the new kitten away from our old female as that's clearly what she wants. But I'm not sure how my male will react, as he is an out and out mummy's boy. I could make sure that the kids make more of a fuss over the new kitten and that I step back more when he's around to not make him jealous.
I don't want my old cats to be made sad, but at the same time would love to introduce a new kitten to the family brood, so could do with your advice here, and any anecdotes you have if you've been in this situation.
Thanks!
I have two cats, brother and sister that are 14yo. I took them from the rescue center as kittens, thinking I shouldn't separate the brother and sister and maybe they'll be friends for each other. Well that didn't happen. The sister was the cat that was friends with every person in the house except for her brother. She made it clear from the beginning that she doesn't like him. No fights, just cool and snobby disdain and an occasional raising of her paw to him in a comic threat if he comes too near. The sad thing is, he is lovely to her and has tried to cuddle up to her on more than one occasion and she's not having it. They're OK, they keep their distance now and that's that.
She is now looking very old and not well, so she keeps herself to my youngest son's room and never comes out anymore, except to eat, but then is straight back upstairs. She no longer wants cuddles or attention from the rest of the family, just wants to be left in peace, which we do. She's very arthritc, so on medication, and best left to rest. The problem is, she was the all round family cat, whereas my gentle male is very shy and nervous around my kids so sticks to me like glue, and while he lets them stroke him, it's only a tolerance for a minute or two, nothing more. So I feel we're missing a general house cat that can get along with everyone.
But, I'm very nervous to introduce a new kitten into a house with two established cats. We could make sure to keep the new kitten away from our old female as that's clearly what she wants. But I'm not sure how my male will react, as he is an out and out mummy's boy. I could make sure that the kids make more of a fuss over the new kitten and that I step back more when he's around to not make him jealous.
I don't want my old cats to be made sad, but at the same time would love to introduce a new kitten to the family brood, so could do with your advice here, and any anecdotes you have if you've been in this situation.
Thanks!