Introduced kitten to resident cat yesterday.....it’s going poorly

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Sarabismom

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Augustus came home with us almost 2 weeks ago and since then things has improved between him and Sarabi. She tolerates him, and sometimes even chases him around which is more than I could hope for. If this is the best they ever get along I’ll be happy.
My SO and I came home to this yesterday after running errands
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Joan M

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I just read through this thread. I think it's going well. You did a great job getting Sarabi used to a new kitten. The videos did look a little unnerving, particularly the first one, but now it sounds like they're settling down and Augustus is learning his place.
 

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Sweet picture! Sarabi has her back to Gus which shows trust, and Gus is all stretched out showing belly so he feels pretty comfortable. The second video previously has Gus not running away and hiding, just backing off, so he gets the message!
Wow only 2 weeks! That is fast!
Keep sending updates if you like! I love seeing progress. Do they eat somewhat hear each other without problems?
 

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I also would urge caution ... I have a new kitten and three resident cats. Growling, hissing ( more than once or twice to get kitten to back off), bullying or tense body language would be a no - go for me and I would keep them separated until they can both be relaxed in each others presence and possibly even initiate contact peacefully - on the videos - your older cat isn't a happy camper - tense for sure ... All three of my cats play with my new kitten and their interaction looks very different - more careful, relaxed bodies, play posture ?? I would take it slow and possibly take a step back. We had a cat trainer person when my 3 now adults were little and she told me that the first interactions set the tone for any longer term relationship ... positive experience will foster a positive long term relationship, stress, tenseness and possibly even fights might prevent a harmonic future friendship.
 
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Sarabismom

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I just read through this thread. I think it's going well. You did a great job getting Sarabi used to a new kitten. The videos did look a little unnerving, particularly the first one, but now it sounds like they're settling down and Augustus is learning his place.
the first video I’m was when they were still watched carefully and separated at night, feeding time and any time we had to leave the apartment.
I will post a video of them playing now if I can catch it! They run so fast chasing each other it’s impossible to catch on camera.
 
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Sarabismom

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Sweet picture! Sarabi has her back to Gus which shows trust, and Gus is all stretched out showing belly so he feels pretty comfortable. The second video previously has Gus not running away and hiding, just backing off, so he gets the message!
Wow only 2 weeks! That is fast!
Keep sending updates if you like! I love seeing progress. Do they eat somewhat hear each other without problems?
They love chasing each other now! I’ll try to get a video of it.
And yes, they eat about two feet apart now. No food aggression at all. Because Gus is growing he gets fed 3-4 times a day and I give Sarabi a small bite of her wet food when I feed him, because I think it makes her more comfortable around him.
 
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Sarabismom

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I also would urge caution ... I have a new kitten and three resident cats. Growling, hissing ( more than once or twice to get kitten to back off), bullying or tense body language would be a no - go for me and I would keep them separated until they can both be relaxed in each others presence and possibly even initiate contact peacefully - on the videos - your older cat isn't a happy camper - tense for sure ... All three of my cats play with my new kitten and their interaction looks very different - more careful, relaxed bodies, play posture ?? I would take it slow and possibly take a step back. We had a cat trainer person when my 3 now adults were little and she told me that the first interactions set the tone for any longer term relationship ... positive experience will foster a positive long term relationship, stress, tenseness and possibly even fights might prevent a harmonic future friendship.
The video of them playing under bed was from last Sunday. The video of Sarabi hissing was from two or three days before the video of them playing under the bed.
Play time is much more relaxed now.Gus gets a little rough sometimes and Sarabi has to put him in check but teeth and claws are never used. Usually a hiss and swat, or she just body checks him and runs up her tower or somewhere he can’t get to yet.
 
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Sarabismom

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So as well as things are going I do have one question.

Sometimes if I’m petting Gus and he gets the crazies, and bites me too hard (before I can redirect him to a toy) if Sarabi sees him bite me too hard to where I say “Ow!” Or react in some way she perceives as pain, she will come running up and swat at him and hiss.
Is this a normal thing? She usually has her ears back But doesn’t seem super tense and aggressive when it happens. But this is the only time I see her get even a little mean with him anymore.
Is she just being protective? I don’t want to reprimand her because I know Gus needs to be corrected.
 

pearl99

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Agree with Furballsmom Furballsmom ! Sarabi is reinforcing your "ow" and it's good teaching for Gus. I think it's normal.
When two of mine, Mooshoo and Waffles (who are buddies) get screechy with each other, Gracie will run to them to referee.
 

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My SO and I came home to this yesterday after running errands
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Love that pic. :redheartpump: Augustus is like "life is great !!!" and Sarabi is like "seriously, guys". :catman:

As for Sarabi "disciplining" Augustus, as long as Augustus doesn't seem scared, and there's not blood or fur flying, it is likely fine.
 
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Sarabismom

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Love that pic. :redheartpump: Augustus is like "life is great !!!" and Sarabi is like "seriously, guys". :catman:

As for Sarabi "disciplining" Augustus, as long as Augustus doesn't seem scared, and there's not blood or fur flying, it is likely fine.
He usually goes right back at her or he finds a toy to fight instead haha.
 
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Sarabismom

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Gus can’t get up any higher on the tower yet, so Sarabi likes to torture him by laying just out of reach.

not pictured: 10 minutes of Gus chirruping and trying to climb higher, then falling off twice, before giving up and taking a nap.

we still aren’t at the cuddling stage yet, tho Augustus tries really hard at night to cuddle with her in bed with us but she isn’t quite there yet.
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Sarabismom

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Hey everybody!

just giving another update 😊 probably the last one til they actually are snuggling together 😁

Everything is going great! Gus is 3 pounds now. So far he’s stuck with gaining 1 pound a month. We will see what 4 months brings!

He loves to eat! I’m actually looking at feeding him a different kitten food (I’ve heard royal canin isn’t the best of the best) and I’m thinking of switching him to WholeHearted kitten food, or the Nulo wet food. He needs more protein to keep him full longer. Sarabi eats Weruva wet and Nulo dry and I wouldn’t mind switching her over to WholeHearted. I’ll just have to look into it more.

They are getting along and will chase each other but sometimes he gets to be too much for Sarabi and I have to separate them. I let her discipline him to an extent but he mostly thinks she’s playing, unless I get involved and then he knows he’s in trouble. He plays pretty rough with her and she will growl and pin him down but he just comes right back at her. I don’t want him to end being a bully, so I’m going to start working on clicker training and getting his attention when he’s acting up.

We are doing our best to balance both cats and their personalities. They are totally different. Sarabi gets jealous and voices her displeasure by peeing on the floor by the front door (yes she has had all the proper tests run and she is perfectly healthy. This is a behavioral thing she has done since before she even came to us) So that’s something we are still working on. I let my friends come over and the house rule is to pet and love on Sarabi first no matter if Augustus is first to greet them or not. Seems to help.

The vet office just adores Gus. They just love that he’s so outgoing. He walks around the exam room like he owns it, head butts them for pets. Basically is a real ham sandwich. He gets his last booster shots in 3 weeks and at that point I’ll make his appointment to get microchipped and neutered.

Honestly we got so lucky with how things turned out and To anybody reading this thread because they are having a rough time with introductions: be patient! Their relationship isn’t perfect yet but I hope that soon it will be.
 
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