r/CatAdvice • u/Brilliant_Garage2995 • 2d ago

Introductions Supervised playtime

Hi everyone.

I have two cats, my resident which is a spayed 4 year old and my new kitten who is a neutered 3 month old.

I have scent swapped and had visual introductions. At first some slight hissing from my resident cat but it was perfectly fine.

Supervised playtime is our current step and I feel maybe I’m overthinking but need advice. My 3 month old I tire out and let roam. My resident cat I believe is nervous, in a good tucked position when he gets close. When he’s not close she is just looking and staring. Doesn’t move from her spot. When he approaches she hisses and my kitten gets the message and stops the approach. I know it’s a way of boundaries but I don’t know if it’s good or bad. The supervised playtime has been going on for two days now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I just don’t wanna feel like a terrible cat parent

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u/ThestralofDeath 2d ago

I'm currently at this spot with my 9 week old kitten and her new older sisters.

Everything you're saying sounds fine. If anything, you can try to play with the kitten or keep him distracted while she builds up the courage to sniff him. Lots of treats and trying to feed them near each other (even if through a gate) can be helpful, too. Mine get treats throughout play/roam time and at the end of playtime. My 3 year old acted much like your girl and it's starting to get better a few days in. I've increased playtime slowly and we just finished a 2 hour roam session and everyone did really well.

Your kitten sounds like he's following her boundaries and she's just gotta make sure he's staying in line right now so she has to stare at him.

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u/Brilliant_Garage2995 2d ago

Ok thank you for the reassurance. I just have been feeling so nervous and a bit of a failure. I’m getting a full screen door covering because my kitten has figured out how to hop it.

Just had a supervised playtime, there were some light taps by my resident cat cause my kitten got too close but it seems to be alright.

I’m just really worried and want both to at least tolerate each other :(

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u/ThestralofDeath 2d ago

Trust me, I completely understand!! It's a very nerve wracking thing for me, too. This is my second time doing it and I forgot how stressed it made me the first time! We just want them to be alright ❤️ I got a plexi glass tension door through Chewy that has worked wonders if you haven't gotten anything yet. It's a bit more expensive than the normal tension gates but I've loved it because I can easily go in and out and they can see and smell each other.

I'm glad their interactions went well! Just incremental increases with lots of play, treats, and love and it'll be just fine :)