I have 2 13 year old female cats that have been with me since they were born. Last week I acquired 3 baby kittens and obviously my cats had a hissy fit and went outside. after a week they will only come in if I shut the door between the kitchen and the living room; and they will only stay long enough to have something to eat and then they leave. I've tried slowly coaxing them into the living room but as soon as they see the kittens they are off like a rocket.

I have since given 2 of the kittens to my son-in-law's sister hoping this might help (it has helped in terms of the remaining kitten bonding with me) but my cats are still very annoyed and I'm really worried that they will never get used to this new arrival.

Does anyone have any advice please?

Oh - apologies - I've just found another thread on this same subject.

please forgive as I am new to this

Oh dear you have elderly pussies and youngsters. Elderly cats like their home to be safe and familiar and will react adversely to new arrivals.

You should really have shown each kitten to your cats and got them to get used to them over time. Seeing a bunch of young fluffy kittens running about with such energy and the willingness to want to play with the elderly cats will make them withdraw as at 13 they just want to relax.

Thanks for your reply. I had a feeling this might happen but I was in the same situation (quite a few years ago and with a younger cat) and they got on great. I guess I should have realised this wasn't going to be the same.

Do you think I should try and rehome the remaining kitten?

That is up to you. In fairness, it would be better to find a home for the new kitten as it is upsetting your cats.

However some cats do get used to new arrivals and soon settle down. A week isn't that long to establish security.

Putting the kitten in a cage/play pen may well help your cats get used to him/her.

Submissive positions and showing anal glands is a good sign of kittens getting on with other cats.

Hi, Yes there are a few other threads in here on the same subject so do have a good old nosey about as there will be lots of useful info in there that is relevant to you .

I would say that a week is no time at all, so don't make any hasty decisions yet. So take a look at the other threads and see how you get on.

good luck!

Thank you for your responses.

Actually today is the first day its rained since kitty arrived and the cats have actually decided they would rather sit in the dining room (as long as the door is firmly shut) than outside getting wet. So I guess that's progress??!!

I think they will get along, but generally a gradual introduction is recomended. Perhaps give them an hour together supervised per day for a few days and then increase this graduallt. It could take 4-8 weeks until the 'oldies' accept the kittens. You have to remember that cats are very teritorial.