Introducing kitten to cat?

Question

Maddie is our one-year-old indoor cat. We love her very much, but she was always staring out the window at our barn cats. We were thinking about getting her a kitten to keep her from being lonely, but we weren't for sure. She was dumped here when she was three-weeks old and we had to bottle feed her. Maybe that has something to do with it...

Anyways, we went on vacation and found a man throwing a wal-mart sack into the river. We asked him not to pollute and he threw the bag at us. Inside was a kitten and the bag was filled halfway with sand. So of course we took her. Now that "Heidi" is all cleaned up, healthy, and accustomed to her new life; we've decided to slowly start introducing her to Maddie. For the past two weeks; she's been in a completely separate level (the second floor) and Maddie has run of the entire basement. So we've been reading on line to put the kitten in a cat- carrier and let the other cat sniff it out; but Maddie is not so nice. Heidi hangs on the side and cries and Maddie sits there and watches her. When Heidi moves over to see if Maddie will let her out; Maddie hisses and growls and whacks her if Heidi sticks her little paw out. We spend A LOT of time with Maddie; and we would like to turn them out together before school... but is that realistic? we've introduced them on Maddie's floor all eight times so her scent is all around but i don't know if that's the right thing to do. Please help me! Is it possible, that since Maddie wasn't properly associated with her siblings during her critical age; that she might just kill Heidi? She gets pretty ugly. We put claw covers on her so she can't claw her; but we can't do anything about her teeth. Where should we introduce them, how should we introduce them, and please give advice. I know if Maddie gives Heidi a chance; she'll love the company while i'm at school! Please only answer if you KNOW what you're talking about. Thanks!

Answer 1

i also have a kitten and a cat comes every morning and takes her food and they get in fights and my kitten always ends up getting hurt its NOT! a good idea! hope this helps

Answer 2

I am going through a similar thing right now... however neither of my kittens didn't have a mom around siblings etc... I got them both from breeders, they are ragdolls.  My one is 7 months and the other is 3 months, both females....  Any advice would be great, and if you could keep me posted on how its going for you that would be great!

Right now my older cat will watch the kitten and if the kitten comes up to the cat the cat will hiss and even swat... I am told this is normal but its very upsetting to me.

Answer 3

I have never heard of introducing kitties with one in a carrier, I don't think it sounds like a great idea.  

I know it's been said, but slowly letting them get used to each other's smells is the best way to go.  Keep them completely separate, just switch out some of their stuff - toys, bedding... It sounds like it could take a long time because of Maddie's past so you'll have to be really patient with her.  She's not trying to be mean, she's just confused and doesn't know how to behave.  After awhile of them getting used to each other's smells open the door between them a tiny crack, make sure they can't push through.  Just let them see each other.  Don't let them any closer until Maddie is calm about being able to see her.  Don't force her into anything, just step up their interaction only when she seems comfortable.  It may take quite awhile, but it will be worth it.

good luck and cheers to you for saving them!

Answer 4

If you have beds for your kitties, you could find a way to mix the scents. You could mix their food, and use the same brushes. This way, Maddie can get use to Heidi's smell,

By the way, I like what you named your cats.

Answer 5

maddie might not like other cats, i have three cats and one hates the others!  it might not be right to put them together!

you can keep trying just make sure to watch them and have patients

Answer 6

I too have a cat that I rescued as a kitten. He was the only one for many years that had all the attention. Then I got another kitten that was also rescued and a few years later another. All I did was give them a room and their own litter box. The older cat would know there was a kitten in there and just be cautious. after a few days I would let the kitten out and just watch out for her with the older cat. The older cat would hiss and swat but it's a territorial thing and they get over it when they realize there is no threat. Good luck and don't give up. They do love to have their own kind as company. I don't think there is another cat out in the world as mean as my oldest.