Adding Kittens to the family

syzygycat

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I currently have a 10y/o male, 10y/o female, 5 y/o male. We have a house now, lots of space, decided we are going to add 2 new kittens.. We already adopted a 4mo old female. She cant come home for another week.
Would it be easier to get the 2nd kitten now.
They wont be from the same litter, but I would imagine 2 young kittens wont need much work to get used to each other, and to the other cats.
 

Maria Bayote

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Adult cats are more accepting to much younger kitties than same age cats, based from my experience. But it is always best to make a slow intro.

2 young kittens and 3 adults! Wow! Congratulations in advance! Do share us photos soon :)
 

ArtNJ

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You are partially right and partially wrong. Two very young kittens will become friendly with each other fairly reliably and quickly. HOWEVER, adult cats, and especially older ones, often react fairly poorly to kittens. They don't attack them, but fairly often they show signs of some stress (growling, hissing and some "get away" swatting), and rarely great stress. Its weird and surprising, but you do need to plan on an introduction process, and it could be harder with two. With one kitten, you have a better chance of getting a kitten that is respectful or at least shy towards the older cats which helps a lot. With two, worse odds that you will get a fearless kitten that wants to play, play, play and doesn't respect the personal space of, or warning signals from, the older cats, which can make the adjustment process harder.

Not saying its wrong to proceed with your plan. Maria Bayote Maria Bayote is not wrong either. It *is* easier introducing kittens than additional adult cats. Just trying to make the point that easier is very much not the same as easy -- it can sometimes be quite difficult. But you are a cat person -- you will figure it out and make it work!
 
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syzygycat

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With one kitten, you have a better chance of getting a kitten that is respectful or at least shy towards the older cats which helps a lot. With two, worse odds that you will get a fearless kitten that wants to play, play, play and doesn't respect the personal space of, or warning signals from, the older cats, which can make the adjustment process harder.

Not saying its wrong to proceed with your plan. Maria Bayote Maria Bayote is not wrong either. It *is* easier introducing kittens than additional adult cats. Just trying to make the point that easier is very much not the same as easy -- it can sometimes be quite difficult. But you are a cat person -- you will figure it out and make it work!
Thts is a good argument of only getting one kitten BUT... iI'm getting 2, introducing them to each other should be much much faster since neither feel established or territorial, Then introducing the two kittens to the three adult cats should make it less stressful for the kittens since its not 3 giants vs one kitten. And as you say if one of them is a ball of energy, his attention is split between the giant adult cats and a kitten his own size (and probably energy level) and inversely if one of my cats hates the kittens, that aggression is spread between two.

If it doesnt work out we have more than enough rooms to keep the cats apart, take the introduction as slow as each kitten needs.

Bringing in 2 kittens will be harder than 1 for sure, but 2 at the same time is easier than 1 now and 1 in six months, Right?

And there is a small chance two kittens growing up together may grow to like each other, my other cats tolerate each other if they haveto be close to each other, but mostly try to avoid each other.
 

rubysmama

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Hi. I think if you're considering 2 kittens, getting them at the same time would probably be the best plan. Then they have each other, while they are kept separate / being introduced to your older cats.

Definitely expect a slow introduction between them and your older cats. Particularly watch to ensure none of the older ones show signs of stress. i.e. not eating, litter box accidents.

Here are some TCS articles that might have some tips / guidelines for you.

How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat – Cat Articles
How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide | TheCatSite
Introducing Cats To Cats | TheCatSite
How To Fix An Unsuccessful Cat Introduction | TheCatSite

Stress in Cats – The Ultimate Guide – Cat Articles

BTW, kittens generally become friends quickly, however, it's not unheard of for them to also need to be kept separate and slowly introduced to each other, particularly if they are not litter mates. So just something to keep in mind.

Good luck. Post pics, if you can, once the kittens are home.
 

Sylvia Jones

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I’m all for 2 kittens coming home together. I would get them as close in age as possible and the bonding chances should be very high! How exciting.
 

chickpea616

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We recently brought 2 kittens home (they are bonded sisters) and have since introduced (though not "fully" yet) them to our 2 resident cats (ages 4 and 3). In most ways it's been easier with 2 kittens rather than 1, although our oldest, Breezy, is not having the best time accepting them. We are still in the process, but it has been slow! I think it also depends on the personality of the resident cats. I knew Breezy was going to be the difficult one because she's the quintessential "grumpy" cat, LOL
 
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syzygycat

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We recently brought 2 kittens home (they are bonded sisters) and have since introduced (though not "fully" yet) them to our 2 resident cats (ages 4 and 3). In most ways it's been easier with 2 kittens rather than 1...
We werent considering getting 2 when we went to the shelter, otherwise a bonded pair wouldve been the smart move.
I wanted a long hair orange-ish cat, but went to checkout the first shelter. wound up adopting a black/ white tuxedo Short hair. Same thing happened 5 years ago, adopted an all grey tabby, 5 years before that a black/brown tabby. I want my orange cat.

Any, Ok, now that I got the answer I wanted to hear, adopt another kitten this week :p, follow up questions

1)Two female kittens or a girl and a boy? The two boys clash enough that making cat #4 a female was a no brainier, as per the internet 2 girls the same age don't get a along

2) should i try introducing the kittens immediately, see if they have a negaitive reaction, if they do then separate them and do the standard week long introduction?
 
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rubysmama

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1)Two female kittens or a girl and a boy? The two boys clash enough that making cat #4 a female was a no brainier, as per the internet 2 girls the same age don't get a along
I've often read that 2 females don't get along, or bond well. But I imagine it depends on the cats' personalities. TCS has this article on Your Second Cat: How To Choose The Best Friend For Kitty – Cat Articles that might be helpful.

2) should i try introducing the kittens immediately, see if they have a negaitive reaction, if they do then separate them and do the standard week long introduction?
Will you be able to bring them both home at the same time? If so, since they'll both be new to the home, neither will have any territorial attachments to the home. Plus they'll have already seen/smelled each other on the car ride home. So you'll already have an idea of what they think of being near each other.
 

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YES to two kittens!! I learned myself that's it's better to get two at once (I did not but within two month had adopted a second). It will be easier all around to bring home two IMO. They will have each other to play with and won't bother the older cats as much for one thing.

Good luck!
 

lucicat

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We did a girl and a boy. They get along famously. . .we did keep them separate at first and do intro stuff since the first had been with us on her own for a couple months already. But it went really smoothly and from what I was told generally two kittens will always get along. If you are bringing them home together I don't see why they couldn't just be together and then they will be less lonely while they are waiting to meet the older cats too
 
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syzygycat

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Thanks for all the replies. The new kitten came home last night and I don't have a second kitten picked out, two kittens may not happen concurrently.

This 1st kitten is from an out of state kill shelter, suposed to be "delivered" in 6-9days, she got here in 2. (she's the opposite of what I was looking for, but the kill shelter had 50+ B&W cats, had to get at least on out of there, hence the 2 kitten plan)
20200121_074250.jpg
 

rubysmama

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Oh, she's adorable. :hearthrob: :bicolorcat: :hearthrob:

I'm so glad she's safe with you. Just thinking of what would have happened to her if you'd not adopted her, is horrifying.
 
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syzygycat

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Oh, she's adorable. :hearthrob: :bicolorcat: :hearthrob:

I'm so glad she's safe with you. Just thinking of what would have happened to her if you'd not adopted her, is horrifying.
Off topic, NYC shelters are by capacity kill shelters. People who mean well don't realize that if they bring a cat or dog in, a differnet cat or dog has goes on the kill list. Meanwhile most of the shelters near me are by-appointment-only, no-kill, private rescues. The applications requires a background check, references, and a home visit. I feel bad getting a cat from a place like that. But if I was a better person Id have gotten an all black cat, very few get adopted.
 
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Sylvia Jones

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Oh she is beautiful and you saved her! Now good luck finding her a buddy. Sounds like she was used to being around lots of kitty’s So excited to see who comes home next
 
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syzygycat

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Oh she is beautiful and you saved her! Now good luck finding her a buddy. Sounds like she was used to being around lots of kitty’s So excited to see who comes home next
Kittens go into pens, at 12 weeks they go in a private cage, she was the "oldest kitten" been in an isolated cage for 6 weeks, not sure how that will translate with a kitten that's been properly fostered.
 
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Sylvia Jones

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That is so sad. But I’m sure rescues do their absolute best. And then it takes people like you to complete the rescue.You have given her a loving home and she will give you so so much back. I have so much respect for you Thank you
 

lucicat

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Thanks for all the replies. The new kitten came home last night and I don't have a second kitten picked out, two kittens may not happen concurrently.

This 1st kitten is from an out of state kill shelter, suposed to be "delivered" in 6-9days, she got here in 2. (she's the opposite of what I was looking for, but the kill shelter had 50+ B&W cats, had to get at least on out of there, hence the 2 kitten plan) View attachment 318624
She's beautiful! And at this age, I believe she will appreciate a buddy of her own age (ish) even and maybe especially since she's been alone for awhile. Our first kitten was not well socialized when we got her and despite our efforts to help her getting a second kitten was really the magic solution (in our case). We got her a buddy from a loving foster care (she came from a shelter where I have no idea her first 10 weeks of life) and it's been a great match. They teach each other things. . .she teaches him to be brave and he teaches her to be gentle.

Gah. . .I'd have a hard time not adopting 10 kittens in this circumstance!!!! There are no kill shelters where I am and in fact our local shelter takes a lot of overflow from surrounding areas and kill shelters. Bless you for adopting a kitten in such need! <3
 

rubysmama

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People who mean well don't realize that if they bring a cat or dog in, a differnet cat or dog has goes on the kill list.
That's just so depressing, isn't it. :bawling:

I feel bad getting a cat from a place like that.
But you may have saved her life, or the life of the kitty that took her place. 🤗

But if I was a better person Id have gotten an all black cat, very few get adopted.
You are still looking for another kitten, right. :purr:
 
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