Introducing a Kitten to an Older Cat?

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I want to get a kitten to keep my senior cat company, is this a good idea? I have a 15 year old male cat. We got him 15 years ago together with his sister; they were from the same litter. He and his sister lived together for 14 years. They had the occasional fight, but they got along pretty well. The female cat died in January 2014, it was very hard for me and for my male cat as he was alone all of a sudden.

I notice that he needs more attention now, he meows a lot, he feels alone. That is what it seems to me. I want to get a kitten, but my parents are afraid that he will not accept the kitten and we will have to rehome it. Does anybody have experience with senior cats and kittens?

By Sacha D.

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Lizzyanny
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April 7, 20150 found this helpful

I think it is very hard to predict how your cat will respond to a kitten. It might be great or not. I have found older cats become less tolerant of kitten behavior. Have your considered adopting a middle aged or senior cat?

They would be more on the same wave length as your cat. Many shelters will allow a time for introduction and if it doesn't go well they will take the cat back. I think I might be inclined to try that 1st. Good luck.

Abigail A.

April 8, 20150 found this helpful

In my experience, this is a bad idea. Cats are very territorial and are often extremely aggressive to cat newcomers. Older cats rarely take the addition of a new kitten well. You may just succeed in making his senior years a stressful battlefield.

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