Hi O Oford21 ...and welcome to the Cat Site.(TCS).
Hello O Oford21 , Ivy, and Penelope, and welcome to TCS! It sounds as though you have a very good situation there between Penelope and Ivy! Kittens are often more resilient and adapt more quickly to new scenarios and family members than adult cats. So far, so good! Keep doing what you're doing with the scent swapping and gradually work up to short, supervised encounters, either on both sides of a door or even in the same room, as it sounds like they will fit in together right away. Experts suggest giving the newbie his or her own room with all needs for up to 2 weeks, but it doesn't sound to me like they will need that much time. As long as you are with them to supervise and observe, it sounds like all systems go! Most cats do establish hierarchy and there may be some hissing, spitting, growling, and even cuffing in order to do this; an older kitten or cat will often teach a new kitten the "rules" this way. But as long as no actual harm is done, they may need to do this. Or not. Please keep us informed as to how they're doing -- and we love pix here at TCS!
OMC they are both so adorable! and it sounds like you won't have any work or anything to worry about at all. I predict you will see them curling up in a little kittenpile very soon (and I'm not alone in hoping we'll get pix!)
That's a tough call, since it is such a short time that they've been in proximity to one another, but my guess would be the same as yours, and so if you decide to do so, you might let them sniff through a crack in the door and work up from there.
I agree I am so torn- Ivy (9Week) hasn’t reacted at all- except she’s been around other cats up until I took her today. She just wants to snuggle and get attention. Penelope is 5 months but I took her home when she was only 6 weeks. Penelope was just crying at the door and I wasn’t near either of them. I’m not sure if that’s her wanting to see a Ivy or if it’s her telling me she’s upset lol
It doesn't sound as though Penelope is "upset" at all by Ivy's presence. It sounds much more like you said -- that she wants to see and be with her. If Ivy has been around other cats, she's well socialized to them, which is a huge plus.
Awe that is so great!!! Makes the process less stressful for sure!!
I say...."go for it"....especially since you have a gate, already.
(I am so slow at typing. haha.)
cat nap
said! Thank you and*YES* on everything
They have to work out their hierarchy. That's almost inevitable. Very few cats don't go through this. My Tarifa angel and also our beloved angel Samuda never did, because they were so social and friendly. But cats are predators and though some say they are loners, they can be VERY social. Just look at the colonies of cats! Most do have to work out their place, though. Again, as long as no actual harm is done, this is natural and normal, and you have to let them go through it to get to bonding, after which they still may have occasional spats, but it's not a big deal once they bond.
cat nap
so so much!! I’ve never had 2 cats so this is all so new to me!! Your advice has helped me feel more confident in this process I truly appreciate it
That would be a personal choice, I think. I never had that scenario, that I can recall. But sometimes Baby Su will start talking late at night. I just let her. I might respond to her, but that's it. I don't get up or anything. Tarifa used to patrol the hall that runs the length of the house, bellowing at the top of her lungs (you'd never think a sound that loud could come from such a small cat package!) while parading her latest "kill" (a twinkle ball. There are two big bowls of them on the living room coffee table. She'd jump up there, get one in her mouth -- usually her favorite purple one -- and let us all know what a mighty hunter she was. She'd often drop it at our door, to show me what a hunter does and what a hopeless hunter I was. Since she never achieved success with me, she transferred this behavior to our roomies when they joined us. They never improved, either.Thank you and
Ivy doesn’t hide or hiss at all. She just stares at Penelope ha!!
Ivy doesn’t hide or hiss at all. She just stares at Penelope ha!!
One more question here- When going to bed at night- if they’re crying in the middle of the night do you go in there to comfort them? Or is it best to let them cry it out? I’m not sure what Ivy will be like our first night. But Penelope was an angel and never made a peep so I’m not sure!
)
Ahhh....the million dollar question.
tarasgirl06
...will say, too.
Basically, keep on doing what you're doing! Scent swapping and sight swapping and maybe a very short supervised time in the same room IF your intuition tells you it's time. There is no 100% "right" way. Just go with what they are exhibiting in terms of their emotions and actions. You're doing a wonderful "job" so far!
What are Penelope's growls like?
