Orange calico male kitten...

[biancaboo]

So, I have to admit  I'm a sucker for taking in cats.  Especially kittens. Anyways, a small orange kitten has somehow landed on our back porch. He is a stray and is slowly becoming friendly to us. We are feeding him kitten food, with a mix of wet kitten food to make sure he is hydrated aw well as water in this weird mid-west fall weather. Today he let me pick him up I was able to kind check the sex which I believe is a male? (sorry so much hair and he/she needs a little grooming).  I put him down on the ground before he got upset, however after that he tried to run into the house. My plan is to eventually let it get used to us and then take it to the vet to get it checked out. My question is after the vet should I introduce it to out female calico (vet believes she is a Persian type)? She was a rescue and not raised with other cats, i know she chirps at it though the window. I am just worried that she will get jealous we bringing a new member into the "pack". Or would she take on a motherly role and teach him things like the litter box or to hunt?

Any advice, tips, or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ondine]

If you are able to, why not bring him in now?  He'll need his own space - a bathroom or spare bedroom with furniture he can't hide under.

That way, he's out of the weather, he's safe and you will be able to spend time with him to socialize him.  Once he's been vet checked, you can start the introductions to your other cat.

Thanks for helping him!

 

[lochness350]

I know what you are going through.  I am also a sucker for cats and have brought two new strays in my house in the past year when I already had 2 older 14 yo girls.  It is pretty stressful at first because you do not know how they are going to react.  I definitely would take him to the vet asap and get him checked out/neutered.  If you decide it is time to bring him a very slow introduction will be needed since your other cat is used to being alone.  What I did and would do if I were you, was to designate a new room for the new cat and let them stay in that room only and keep him in there for a few days.  Then I would move him to a new room and allow your other cat to go in his previous room to get used to his smell. You can kind of get a feel for how it is going to go after this stage. With my last stray, I was lucky enough to have the screen from our storm door unattached.  I used it for the next stage and put the screen in between the cats dividing a bedroom doorway.  That way they could see and smell each other but not attack.  It went well. After that, I would shut all the doors in the house and introduce them in a room together with me monitoring. I kept the other doors shut so they couldn't chase each other in a room faster than I could get to them (a coffee can of pennies is a great to break up a fight FYI).  It is a slow process, but I can tell you that my two strays are best friends.  They absolutely love each other.  Now the strays and my older cats, not so much.  But they do tolerate each other ok. It is important to not give up though. Even if it requires you to keep them separated whenever you are not at home.  It took a good few months until I felt comfortable leaving them all out together.

Also--I did purchase a pretty large cat tree so there was a new space. My first stray took to it immediately and I think that helped a lot. It is important for them all to have their "own" place to feel comfortable.

Good luck and thank you for taking the time and effort to help this little guy.  He will love you for life!

 

[shadowsrescue]

I would definitely get him to the vet now, get him neutered and vaccinated and have a space in your home where he can have a room of his own for awhile.  Allow him to adjust to indoor life and begin socializing him.  It sounds as though he is friendly already, but he will need to get used to living inside.  A room of his own is necessary for a period of time.  Cats are very territorial and when a new comer arrives, they may like each other right away or they may have differences.  Introductions are necessary.  Sometimes they are very quick and other times they can take weeks, months or longer.  Last year I brought a orange stray/feral male into my home  He had a room of his own for one solid year.  He and my resident cat had lots of difficulties getting to know each other.  I followed the introduction process, but like many, I rushed the last few steps.  This backfired on me and it ended up taking much longer.  My advice is to take it slow.  The boys eventually did learn to coexist.  At first they completely ignored each other and even avoided each other.  Now they play multiple times each day, hang out together and I have even seen them grooming each other.  It is more than I could have ever hoped for while witnessing their rocky beginning.

Here are some articles and video on cat to cat intros.  When the my two were ready for face to face intros, I first used a baby gate, but I needed to stack two to prevent one of them from jumping.  I then moved to a cheap wooden screen door attached to the door frame with tension rods.  I kept the baby gate in the doorway.  This allowed the cats to see and sniff each other safely. 

I hope you can bring this sweet one inside soon.

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

 

[biancaboo]

OK sorry for the delay, with Christmas and the new job life has been busy. We caught today the kitten and it is inside in a crate with food and water. I guess he is really a "she" from what the vet says. Our female calico is making light screaming noises and made a hiss and then it became less and less (hoping that is a good sign). I kinda reminds me of a kid throwing a fit and no one is paying attention and it becomes less and less. She growls every once in a while. But to be frank Bianca (the calico) is a spoiled brat and anything you have she wants (including the dinner on your plate).  Our vets aid to put the kitten in a crate and let the kitten check her out and let her live in another room to get exercise. I am just afraid that she is never going to accept the kitten due to being a spoiled brat. 

 

[biancaboo]

Thank you for all the videos! I love watching the cat from hell he has helped me out alot with BIanca

 

[shadowsrescue]

It takes time for cats to get used to each other.  The biggest mistake you can make is rushing the process.  Take it slowwwwwww.  Bianca will adjust, but she will throw temper tantrums.  Yet if you follow the cat to cat introductions step by step it will work and they will learn to get along.  Just remember that cats are very territorial.  The new kitten is coming into an established territory. 

Allow the kitten to have a room of her own for awhile.  Let her get used to you and her surroundings.  Then after a few days, start the scent swapping.  Just keep them completely separated for now.  The idea of introducing from the crate is a good idea, but not yet.  The cats are not ready for site to site yet.

Any idea how old she is?  Hopefully you can spay her soon.