introducing a playful kitten to a declawed adult cat?

[Min]

We adopted a declawed 4-year old female 3 months ago. We name her Mimi. She was very timid at first. But now she gets very comfortable with me and my bf. She waits for us at the door every time we get home from work. She always walk around us at home too.

We were afraid she would be lonely when we were out for work. So we decided to adopt another another cat for her companion. We were actually considerate on selecting the right personality for Mimi. We picked a 5-month black kitten, who was very mild tempered and lay in my arms very quietly when I hold him.

We put him in a sanctuary room for a few days after we brought him home. Now as he gets more comfortable, he is showing a very playful kitten nature. He runs crazy after a stringed mouse.

So when we let the little one meet Mimi, he very much wants to get close to Mimi and probably play with her. But Mimi always hisses when he gets close. And the little one seems to have no sense or respect of territory, he runs every where and sits at Mimi's favorite places. We manage to keep our bedroom solely for Mimi so she feels safe. Now, we are separating the two cats and only let them meet for 10-20 minutes twice a day. But things don't get better. Mimi is still hissing towards the little one when he tries to get close.

Is there anything we can do to make both cats to get alone with each other?
My fear is that because Mimi is declawed, she will always feel insecure if approached by another cat. She will not like to get into a real fight, and only try to scare the little one away. If that's the case, I don't know how long it will take to make Mimi comfortable with the little one around.
Thank you for the answers, Java, Bob and Becky. I guess I was just nervous seeing Mimi hissing, since she never did that before. I certainly hope being declawed has nothing to do with it. I have slowed down their introduction, only allowing them to see each other for about 5 minutes today and giving them tasty food right after (separately, because I found Mimi didn't like to eat with the kitten around and put all her focus on him). Well, I will try to be slower and more patient. Hope they get along one day.

 

[Becky]

Lol well i've had the same problem in my home. When you introduce a little new cat in the mix the two of them just have to get over their differences and learn to live together. Its a cat thing. The kitten has to learn the hard way basically. A few good slaps from Mimi will hopefully show kitten his place ,eventually and they will get along. If it gets extra bad you may have to resort to the spray bottle ;-p Every time you see him jump on her back or get to be too much give him a quick spray without saying a word. (sometimes you miss and hit the wrong cat but that is life) Give them a few months and everything should be running a lot smoother till then just grit your teeth and use the spray bottle. Good Luck to y'all!

 

[Java]

Mimi probably does not fully realize she is declawed, so I wouldn't worry about that in this case since she doesn't need her claws. I recently had to introduce a 6 month old declawed kitten to a 17 year old female cat. Lots of hissing and spitting from the cat and pouncing and prowling from the kitten. If Mimi isn't attacking the kitten then I'd say you're in the clear to just let them figure it out. It's only when one cat gets incredibly aggressive towards the other that you have to separate them at this stage. Mimi is just going to have to adjust and the only way she'll do that is to be around the kitten.

 

[BobN]

Here's how we introduce new comers to our gang:

Cats need to be introduced very slowly.

First of all, we do not allow a new cat to have any contact with our other cats until a vet has given the new cat a clean bill of health. This includes tests for such things as FIP and Feline Leukemia.

Cats can be successfully introduced to each other regardless of their ages or sexes.

We have successfully added adult cats to our family containing both young and old cats as well as introducing very young kittens to the other cats.

It has to be done slowly. If you simply put them together, you will fail the vast majority of the time.

The new cat has to be given time to get used to you and the new environment.

The existing cat has to get used to the smell of the new cat.

We introduce cats by keeping the new cat in the back room for up to a month. My office is there as is my wife's sewing table. There is a sofa and bookshelves.

We spend a lot of time with the new cat to get them used to us, the new environment and the new smells.

After they accept us with no problems, we put a screen door on the back room door frame and let everyone see each other for a week or so.

It may take a lot less time than a month to get to this point but we just take it slow and easy.

Once we judge it safe to do so, we let the new cats out into the house and chaperon the first encounters.

We've only ever had one problem introducing cats like this and that problem was resolved in a couple of weeks.

We've had 25 cats over the past 22 years and many of them were adults - 12 and older - when they joined our family.

We've also introduced several kittens, ranging from ages of 7 weeks to 4 or 5 months, to the rest of the crew with no problems.

You have to take it slow.

If you can't put up a screen door, perhaps two baby gates, stacked one on top of the other, will close off the door but still allow the cats to see each other.

If you can't use a screen door or baby gates, try letting the existing cat into the room with the new cat for a few minutes while you chaperon.

If things get bad, take the cat out of the room.

You just have to introduce cats slowly

There are cats who could be thrown together and become pals but they are few and far between.