2 days ago, I rescued an 8-week-old male kitten. He is gorgeous, with long dark brown hair and big green eyes. I've named him Sebastian and he's joining my 2 dogs, my other 2 cats, my 2 birds and my 3 fish. lol.

My 2 cats saw him through the kitchen window and were growling and hissing at him; they're refusing to come indoors now he is here.

It was like this with my cat Sasha, when I brought 7-week-old Darcey home. She hated Darcey just as much, and even now 2 years later, she still dislikes Darcey, and does little but growl and hiss at her. She won't come near us if Darcey is near us.

Now poor Sebastian is getting the same treatment from both Sasha and Darcey, and I'm worried it'll be like this forever. I'd thought perhaps Darcey would get along with the new kitten as she is normally a lovely affectionate cat. I'd never heard her growl or hiss before until we brought the kitten home.

I know these things take time, but its been 2 years and Sasha still hates Darcey, even though Darcey doesn't do anything to provoke Sasha.

How on Earth do I get my cats to get along???

Below is little Sebastian.

What a doll!




Sigh...they are cats being cats. Things were tense around here when Iggy arrived. Sam was NOT happy to see him-She was indignant. We had never heard Sam growl before. Now, 3 months later they are best friends and playmates.
Murphy studies him in a firendly but not particularly interested way, they they have hissed at each other when one hogs the favorite toys, but there is no REAL trouble.

Murphy and Miles hated each other before Miles was even taken inside. Miles was out in the cold and starving, looking in at Murphy thought the sliding glass door. They looked alike, and simply hated each other. When Miles came inside and was formally adopted, it was the end of Murphy's run of the house. She stayed at one end, and Miles stayed at the other, and the grudge lasted for as long as Miles lived.

When Miles died, it further depressed me that Murphy was strutting around with her tail up, gloating.

Usually a kitten stands a better chance of being accepted by the residents over time than does an old cat set in her ways. They need to figure out the new one is NOT leaving, and their petulance is not going to work.

Your new kitten is so darn cute. I guess Sebastian needs extra hugs.

When I had 3 siblings..the girl followed the twin boys around but she never like them and if they got too close to her she would hiss and growl. It's like she had a distance they could be and she would be quiet. they were all the same size and age so it was not an adult vs a kitten.. Maybe others here can tell you what worked for them.

The only thing it reminds me of was when 1 of the 3 went to a vet...for about 3 days on coming home the other 2 hissed and growled at the poor baby who just got home...I figured cause of the vet place smell.

So I got some cornstarch (which is supposed to be good to get out mats) and rubbed it on my hands and on all 3 cats and told them...now you all smell alike. That worked for that problem.

Sorry I can't be of more help but your new kitten is really adorable.

I have yet, in my life, to integrate animals as I have never had more than one at a time, but I have to say Sebastian is absolutely adorable. I wish you the best of luck with him and I will keep my fingers crossed that the cats will warm up to him. Darcey may take some time but there is hope. Every Sebastian I knew preferred the nickname 'Sibby'. Have you ever heard that?

Nope, but it's cute. We just call him 'Seb'.

He's keeping well. I'm giving him a liquid wormer (which he hates) for 5 days as he has worms, and I've just covered him in lice killer, as his skin was crawling. Yuk. So he's not speaking to me right now. lol. But he'll be grateful when he doesn't feel itchy anymore.

What a cutie! Yes, cats have their own heirarchy. Just introduce the new one very gradually. Rubbing a towel over the body and then rubbing it over the others gently will help speed up the process. When introducing don't force things. Very gradually let them see and smell him without direct contact. All of our 9 cats are indoors but I have had good success using baby gates blocking a room with the new one in it. It keeps the newbie safe but lets the others check him out. I would give treats on both sides of the gate so they would feel more at ease. After that they always sorted out the dominance with few scuffles. Good luck with the introductions.

Ken Albin

He's absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on the new little guy

Gillian,

How is Sebastian? He is sooo adorable. How are Sasha and Darcey doing with him? Or does Sebastian even know they exist since he only has eyes for Joey?

Michelle

Haha. He's very well!

Sasha and Sebastian sometimes sniff each other for a few seconds before Sasha hisses. She'll also bat him, but keep her claws in so she's only giving him a 'telling off' rather than meaning to hurt him.

Darcey hates him as much as ever, but she's very much at home outdoors and hates to be indoors, so I'm hoping their relationship will improve once they meet outdoors, and Darcey feels more comfortable with her surroundings.

The 2 dogs - Coveu and Nieko get along really well with him. He loves to pounce on them, and they don't mind. They know he's only a baby.

Sebastian got his second booster today, and he was microchipped. Joey turned 1-year-old yesterday, and tomorrow he's having big party, so we're gonna release Sebastian outdoors on Sunday. On Sunday he'll have been indoors for 6 weeks, so he's more than ready for the big wide world now. Sasha was only kept in for 3 weeks, and Darcey was only kept in for 2 weeks, so I think I'm being overprotective with Sebastian! lol. A few days ago, I took him out our back yard and let him go for a little bit. He was thrilled, climbing the fence, trying to catch the butterflies and sniffing the air, but came back to me again when a plane flew by overhead which scared him a little. lol. But now hes been outside, he's keen to get back out again, and keeps going to the back door, staring out.

I'll take pics of him being released.

How are your kitties, especially Jasper?

Give that beautiful Son of yours a big birthday hug for all of us! Please post a picture of him at his party.

I'm soooo glad Sabastian is doing well. He is such a little sweetheart. What a treat to be let outside! Yes, I can understand be over protective. We live in town and I can't possibly let our "kids" out. Though Sasha and Darcey are not overly friendly with Sabastian, he sounds like he's bonding with Coveu and Nieko. Are they Cavaliers also? I know I'm speaking for everyone when I say that I would love to see pictures of Sabastian pouncing on them! What a wonderful Family you have. You are truly Blessed.

Frankee and Jasper are so very very close. The sweetest side of Frankee has developed since Jasper has been here. He is actually "needing" to be loved by us. He was so independent, now he is right next to us with Jasper right next to him. I have a thread on the Pet Sickness board about Jasper. He finally goes in for surgery on Monday. To see him you couldn't tell anything is wrong. He plays, and plays, and plays. Hopefully the tumor he has is benign. To lose this little guy would affect each and every one in our family.

I would love to see more pictures of Sebastian and Joey and love checking in for new stories. They are just precious Gillian. There is nothing like the bond between an animal and a young child. It will be a bond that Joey never forgets and will forge a life long love of animals.

Hi,

Thank you for your lovely post. I'll post a pic of Joey soon.

Nieko is a Cavalier, Coveu is a Jack Russell. They are both great dogs.

May never see pics of Sebastian pouncing on Darcey. Shes been missing for 3 days. See the 'Missing' section of this forum. Doing everything I can to find her.

I just posted a response on the Lost Pet section about Darcey. I am so sorry but don't give up. I will keep you in my thoughts and Prayers.

Michelle