Opinions needed. Cat intro not going well

[Sarajmt]

Hi! I would like some opinions and/or suggestions on a cat introduction that is not going well.  

As many of you may know, I've recently added 2 cats, a 9 month old mother (we've finally decided on Pretty Momma for her name) and her 4 to 5 week old kitten (Smuttly). She was a shelter kitty and I know little to nothing of her background.  I found out today that she could not be a year, more like 8 or 9 months old.   The kitten is still nursing. Other than spaying and neutering both are now fully vetted and tested for any diseases. Clean bills of health.for both kitties.  No fleas, ear mites, F series clean.

I've got a Golden Retriever (Belle) who is about 2 years old and another 9 month old spayed female (Smitten).  The cats don't mind the dog.They aren't buddies but the cats sort of ignore her and she would like to play but has learned respect for a cat's claws!!  But the female cat Smitten is another story.

She is technically my daughter's cat but she started her time with me and slept in a box I fixed up for her with a cushion in my bathroom.  She is now banished for the new kitties.  Not happy at all about this so she is getting more attention from me outside my room.  She came in my room this evening when my son came in.  Pretty Momma is quite willing to be friends but Smitten is having none of it.  And when Smitten tried to approach the kitten, Momma had a real hissy fit!  Probably for good reason.  I need to keep Momma calm so she'll eat.

I had not planned to try this yet but it just happened.  I prefer for the kitties to play pawsies under the door first.  But I don't believe that until Momma is through nursing, any further contact should be permitted.  I do keep a towel ready just in case I need to grab one.  

Sorry it's so long but I wanted to give you all details.  Do you think I'm correct in delaying any further contact until Momma is spayed and no longer nursing?  I have a lot of experience introducing cats but this nursing mother and kitten is a new one for me.  Ideas, feedback and opinions are welcome.

Thanks
Sara

[Cassandrajane]

It will take a while, it has only been a weekish.. Give it time they will settle down...


xx

[Sarajmt]

Right now they all do.  I intend to keep Smuttly and Pretty Mama's  food and litter back here in my room.  The other cat's are in my daughter's room.    They all have their own toys right now and will keep them separate.  We get the same ones just in different colors.

Using the dog is when fight is imminent especially outside with a cat I don't know. They won't be outside ever again!  But getting physically in the middle of a cat fight is something I simply will never do.

Smitten (my daughter's cat) does like to hang out on my bed.  That will have be kept on hold for a while. I do feel sorry for her. She practically bangs down my door trying to get in.  I feel awful about it but I just can't let her in.   Pretty Mama doesn't like to be on my bed or furniture at all for that matter.  So MAYBE sometime down the road, she can come back to sit on my bed.

I'd love them to be friends but I'll settle for tolerating each other.

[Cassandrajane]

My 2 older Kittens Splash and Chalkie (Brother and sister, are always playing around.. never hurting eachother, and they play with the little kittens) they protect each other mainly and protect the little ones., my Eldest the biggest (the one who hits) is protective of all of them. But has his moments. The 2 older kittens do get rough with the little ones but you give them fusses they stop. Splosh (One of the babies) has a toy mouse well he has 3 now and 2 pairs of socks he keeps hiding he always has a mouse in his mouth, No one else is allowed near it or them. So we have to buy balls and things. So many litter trays as well......


And we are possibly expecting another litter of kittens any time soon! OH GOSH!


x

[LindaTX]

Distractions are great but they each need to feel they have their space, like Cassandrajane just said.  With 2 that can easily be managed...unless for some reason they come in really hating each other, like 2 unaltered males.  Sometimes my sibling kittens give each other far more attention than they give me.  But that's ok....they are happy.  When you have 3 or more unrelated cats it gets a little more complicated.  It just takes awhile and depending on their individual personalitiles....could be a long while.  Even with my 3 familes of cats (5 cats in all now) they really do all get along I think because they realize how important that is to me.  In fact, sometimes I'll use the old phrase, "Can't we ALL just get along?"  But it's not often I have to even say that.  They really are all good with each other.  One named called, ex. ARAMIS, is all is needed.  He is usually the instigator if there is one.  He's Top Cat and they all know it.  :)

[Cassandrajane]

the best thing to do, is have PLENTY of toys around AND give them seperate sleeping areas, like a bed in the living room and another bed in your room type thing... and a litter tray each (Then they wont wee everywhere based on a Dominance thing, which is what mine do, we have 8 litter trays LOL.) and feed one like one end of your kitchen and another the other side.... And when they fight just say NO and then distract them with a toy or something like balls with bells inside little toy mice and thinks like that.. :) I got 8 cats. The only one that is starting to have a problem is my 2 yr old because he was an only cat, now he has like 7 others with him, he was okay when we got our other cat (The mummy one) and he is SO protective over her, But now he has had his nose put out of joint type thing, but he will only hit them (With no claws) when they bite him first... Or he will just growl, so we show him lots of fusses. :)

x

[Sarajmt]

OH heck, I just throw a dog toy like a tennis ball.  She goes after it and cats scatter!  Works every time.

[Cassandrajane]

The best thing to do when they fight or argue is NOT to tell them off ,Distract them with toys :)....

:)

x

[Jade59]

Hey Sara, just stopped on your thread to say hi!  I've no experience in this area so can offer nothing on top of the excellent advice already given.  No experience in this area - or kittens - or having several cats at once, lol.  Just here for moral support :)  

[Sarajmt]

Nancyjac:  Thanks for the information.  I truly have little to no experience with nursing moms.  I've always taken in strays and adopted from the shelter.  Some were adults who needed neutering or spaying.  Others kittens, a couple too small too be away from mom.  One I bottle fed and this one I was lucky enough to get the mom.  It's so much better this way.  Shame on those who adopt out kittens still nursing!!  Kittens need to be at least 6 weeks and preferably 8 to 12 weeks.

Linda:  That is funny!!  I wonder if in the future if little Smuttly will do that to Smitten.  She and Pretty Mama could be from the same litter!  Pretty Mama is a torbie but mostly black.  Smitten is a true torbie.    When they do all all get together,  this ought to be interesting.  I don't know if Pretty Mama and Smitten will ever be friends but I'll settle for tolerance towards one another.  Smuttly should be OK with both cats.  

[LindaTX]

Sara, I am so happy you have new kitties.  I, also would keep them separate until the nursing and spaying are over.  There will be plenty of time for new cat-bonding :) later on.  A funny story, when Mommycat (that's really her name) weaned her kittens and all were spayed at 4 mo., some of the kittens started getting confused and started seeking out our 14 yr old TJ because he looked a whole lot like Mommycat, same coloring, everything, only a lot bigger. Fortunately, he was all cool with it, just puzzled.  About the time one, Heidi, in particular would nuzzle or go "nose to nose" with TJ, it would be only then that she would realize who she was going nose-to-nose with.  Surprise, surprise!  It's funny but to this very day...about a yr later, Heidi still does that.  

[nancyjac]

Since I foster litters for a shelter, I have had this exact experience.  I have 3 adult cats of my own, 1 male, 2 females, all altered.  They are fine with very young unaltered kittens, but older kittens, such as your Pretty Mama, who have not been altered are a completely different matter.  You are right to keep them separated, and you will probably need to for awhile even after she is spayed.  Spaying removes the reproductive equipment, but hormonally, she will still smell like a reproducing cat to your other cat for another heat cycle after she has been spayed.  Even to this day, our 2 adult spayed females are not very found of each other and pretty much stay away from each other.

[spirit3]

I don't have experience exactly like yours but can tell you we've had Spirit for 11 years-when we got her we had Timmy-an adult male. She bonded with him immediately and he to her like her teacher/daddy-it was wonderful. A few years ago Timmy passed unfortunately (lung tumor) so we got Butters as a 6week old. Spirit hated him. The same when we added Bob a year later. After some time she seemed to realise they were here to stay but has never become friendly with them-they love eachother though! So I'd suggest patience-keep giving the first one extra tlc and you should have peace eventually. We all live together now in peace about 95% of the time.(butters thinks spirit should be under the couch or bed.)Good luck!!

[zodiacqueen]

Sara, you are doing things PERFECTLY!  That's the best thing to do is to let them get to know each other behind closed doors!  That way, they can get to know each other's scent....then the face to face meeting will go sooooo much better!  I would probably keep them apart for a few weeks, at the very least!  And, if there's still a bunch of drama, I would keep them apart for a few more weeks once again!

Great thinking w/ separating them!  =)

ZQ

[opus88]

yeah Sara I think you are doing the right thing and not introducing them just yet. like you say not until momma has finished nursing and is spayed!!!
she has raging hormones right now and will be also very protective of her baby. Poor thing is still a baby herself!!
wait until spayed and more used to her surroundings and yes had a chance to be acquainted by playing footsies for awhile.....as you know it will come to be it just takes time and patience.......ask pipaskeggars about all that!
best to you all