Hi all, I've read the sticky and other similar threads, so I've got some idea of procedure for intro. Unfortunately I started off badly by introducing them face to face briefly, though the interaction wasn't too bad - a lot of sniffing, some tumbling, and the new kitten hissed a bit. Afterwards I put the new kitten in the closet with his stuff, but the gap beneath the door was big enough for them to swat at each other, so I closed off the bedroom door too. When it's closed, the older kitten seems to be content to go about her business. I let the younger kitten free in the bedroom when the door is closed, then shut it in the closet when I bring the older kitten in for some interaction. Then I open the closet door a crack and they swat at each other, sticking their paws under/around the door/etc., but it doesn't seem harmful, and there is no hissing/growling. Today during these interactions I was giving them treats too.
So tonight I let them out in the bedroom together. At first they were sniffing, then some chasing and pouncing, but no hissing. I broke them up when they started to fight. The younger one didn't seem frightened at first, even coming after the older one, but eventually the rumbles got rougher, and the younger one started hissing and looked frightened, trying to run away, so I separated them again.
I was reading somewhere else that it is best not to break up the fights unless it gets really serious because then the dominant cat doesn't have the opportunity to assert its dominance and so each new battle they start from scratch and get more violent each time to get the message across!! I also JUST read that once you introduce them, you shouldn't separate them again, is this true?!?
So...am I going too fast with this? A lot of the posts are saying days/weeks of separation, but they seem to be based on old CAT, new kitten, but our kittens aren't really doing all the hissing/growling stuff, so it seems like they're skipping the first stage. The older kitten has been with us since mid-September and she's 5 months. The younger one is 12 weeks and we bought him yesterday. I'm so scared to leave them to fight it out. The little guy looks so small and helpless compared to the other one (even though she's small for her age!).
So I guess what I'm asking is: what should I do next? Should I start from scratch, keeping them separated, doing the scent exchange (which I have been doing really anyways since they can smell each other on my clothing and in the bedroom), etc., or should I let them scrap it out? And if I let them fight, should I separate them again after?? How about if the fighting gets bad??
Thank you so much for the advise!!!!!!!!!!!
So tonight I let them out in the bedroom together. At first they were sniffing, then some chasing and pouncing, but no hissing. I broke them up when they started to fight. The younger one didn't seem frightened at first, even coming after the older one, but eventually the rumbles got rougher, and the younger one started hissing and looked frightened, trying to run away, so I separated them again.
I was reading somewhere else that it is best not to break up the fights unless it gets really serious because then the dominant cat doesn't have the opportunity to assert its dominance and so each new battle they start from scratch and get more violent each time to get the message across!! I also JUST read that once you introduce them, you shouldn't separate them again, is this true?!?
So...am I going too fast with this? A lot of the posts are saying days/weeks of separation, but they seem to be based on old CAT, new kitten, but our kittens aren't really doing all the hissing/growling stuff, so it seems like they're skipping the first stage. The older kitten has been with us since mid-September and she's 5 months. The younger one is 12 weeks and we bought him yesterday. I'm so scared to leave them to fight it out. The little guy looks so small and helpless compared to the other one (even though she's small for her age!).
So I guess what I'm asking is: what should I do next? Should I start from scratch, keeping them separated, doing the scent exchange (which I have been doing really anyways since they can smell each other on my clothing and in the bedroom), etc., or should I let them scrap it out? And if I let them fight, should I separate them again after?? How about if the fighting gets bad??
Thank you so much for the advise!!!!!!!!!!!