New Arrivals

Introductions

We made preparations for the arrival of Lucy, as we had with the other cats.  We made sure she would have the same cat litter that she is used to, as well as the same dry and wet food.  We made sure she had somewhere to rest and eat and drink where she felt safe and secure, and that she knew she was loved, from the start.  At the same time, we made sure that the established cats still felt loved, and gave them plenty of attention too. We are always very careful to NEVER leave a new kitten with the established cats until WE ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that they are happy and safe together (and we make sure all claws are clipped before introductions!).  They are literally watched for every moment that they are together,  (Yes, nothing at all gets done for about the first week!) 

Where the other cats all have trays in the room furthest from the kitchen,  where their food is, Lucy began with a tray in a more obvious central place in our bungalow, that would very gradually be moved to where the other trays are.  We didn't want her to have to go and look for a tray, when she might suddenly be desperate!  In actual fact, the minute she saw the trays that the other cats use, she abandoned the other one and used theirs! 

When we brought her in first of all we let her have a look round our lounge without any other cats in there.  We offered her a drink and food and clean litter tray, after her long journey.  Then  we introduced her first to the most laid-back cat, who gave her a sniff, feigned total disinterest and strolled off, as though she'd been there forever.  Then we brought in the next most laid-back one, letting them meet, and again there wasn't much reaction, apart from loving looks towards her.  The three neutered boys  all behaved like this, although  Ozzie made it quite clear that he would like to befriend her, from the start.  It was when we introduced the two girls that we had to be alert.  That was when the hissing started.  We allowed them to get close (with our hearts in our mouths, and ready for action just in case things got a bit dicey) but made sure nothing got further than the 'verbal' stage.  This hissing and booing carried on for a couple of days from Lottie and longer with Poppy.  We gently told the 'hissers' 'no' if things were threatening to escalate.  The last thing we wanted to do was to make them think they were 'out of favour' when we brought a new member of the family in.  We praised good behaviour, and rewarded with pieces of chicken, or ham, and for the most part (unless there was a physical threat) ignored the bad behaviour, apart from telling them not to be so silly.

At no stage did we leave Lucy,  Lottie and Poppy together unwatched, until the hissing had stopped and play and sleeping together had started.  Poppy was the last one to come round (which we expected since she was the eldest of the girls), and again, we watched them, separating them at night, until we were happy that they were safe.  Lucy spent the first couple of nights in with us, then since she was getting on with the boys, she  spent the next night with them (which promoted the bonding process with them more) and the other two girls came in with us, which made them feel special too.  By the next night, Lottie was getting on well with Lucy, so only Poppy spent the next night with us. 

We had also made preparations in other ways - we had bought some special treats and toys (these were toys hanging from sticks or wires that you can buy (or make) especially  for cats).  We wanted to make it a special and happy time for all the cats when Lucy came, so we  had put these by for her arrival.  The treats came out shortly after introductions when they had settled a  bit, and the toys came out when they were a little bit more comfortable with each other.  When we introduced our established cats to Lottie, Poppy was still making it quite clear that she was NOT impressed, and wouldn't go near her,  a couple of days after Lottie came, (she just sat in the doorway and glared and made dreadful complaining noises!), but then  we got some new toys out, and no-one could resist (including Poppy) coming closer to play with the toys.  It meant that they could avoid eye contact, but still be fairly close to each other (and getting each other's scent), but concentrating on other things.  We are careful not to get them over-excited at this stage and to play in a controlled way that they're not all leaping on top of each other (that will come a short time later!).  This approach worked well with Poppy and Lottie and in under a week of being introduced they were curling up and sleeping together. This approach has worked well with integrating Lucy, too.

The sixth night, we decided they would all spend together, but I was worried about leaving them totally unattended, so decided to sleep in the lounge, which is a more central area in our home, so I could keep an ear and an eye out.  I made my 'bed' up on the settee and prepared to settle down for the night.  Then the fun started.  FOR THREE HOURS they all tore about together, playing.  The leapt over me, round me, threw toys about, chased each other up and down the lounge, kitchen and hall, in fact everywhere!  They had a wonderful time!  Convinced that they were getting on (yes, they were definitely getting on!) I allowed myself to doze off to sleep.  At 4am it all started again!  We had no more worries as to whether they would all live happily together!

Seeing   a new   kitten integrated as part of the family, happy and secure and loved by all people and cats alike, is one of the most wonderful experiences.

This photo was taken just five days after Sophie arrived.