Answer: There is unlikely to be any problem about the kitten accepting it’s a new companion if they are introduced before the kitten reaches there months of age, ideally close to the age of the eight weeks. As the kitten gets older it will take progressively longer to adopt to new surroundings and to other animals.
The main problem, however, is likely to lie in the older cat accepting the newcomer. Te established cat in household usually feels threatened on two counts; firstly, its territory is being invaded by another cat, and secondly, it feels jealous because there is competition for the owners attention and affection. The feeling of insecurity which is created may, in extreme case, result in the newcomer being savagely attacked. If this occurs, then the animals must be kept separated and only reintroduced in a series of meeting when you are present.
However, a certain amount of ‘bossy behavior’ on the part of older cat is normal and its intended to teach the newcomer its place. Often the older cat initially ignore the kitten totally and it can take a long time for a kitten to be accepted.
At times the jealousy and resentment felt by the older cat will result in abnormal behavior, even psychosomatic illness. There may be a breakdown of toilet training (i.e. urine spraying in the home or the deposition of urine and faces in inappropriate areas), sulking, and failure to eat and/or to groom. In some case, though, furious grooming is seen and in extreme instance diarrhea, vomiting and hair loss can occur. Siamese in particular may be very resentful and leap on to the owner’s shoulder for affection.
How can this process of acceptance be made smoother? Well firstly, don’t provoke a conformation by bringing the animals face to face ‘meet’ each other. If they do come into contact, it should be in a fairly large room, and not a confined space, with your present. Secondly, make a particular fuss of the established cat, not the newcomer. The older cat must be made to realize that it has no been displaced in your affections. So don’t lavish attention on the kitten, no matter how attractive it appears, when the resident cat is around to see this.
Finally, feed both cats at the same time from separate dishes of there own, either different room or at opposite end of the same room, if necessary with some furniture between to separate them. After a week these rules can be relaxed somewhat and hopefully with in six to eight weeks the two cats get along amicably.
