Kittens don't like each other

[Loomineer]

I have had one kitten for two weeks. He is ten weeks old now and a lovely wee fellow. I decided to take on one more kitten. A ten week old girl. My boy cannot stand her. It's only been twenty four hours but there is hissing and growling and hackles and ears.

Have I made a mistake. Lady I bought second kitten from said I can return her if I need too.

[Sparklingbrook]

Not necessarily. 24 hours is very early days. New kitten is getting used to things and boy kitten having had 2 weeks to get used to things has now had a change to deal with.

Is there a room you can keep the girl kitten in for a while, then have a gradual introduction over time?

[Loomineer]

I have always had two cats at a time. My first set of kittens were litter mates though. When they died my second set were also litter mates. These two aren't.

I am keeping new kitten mostly separate and boy kitten keeps himself away from her mostly anyways.

[cozietoesie]

It's really early days yet so I wouldn't be despondent. A certain amount of 'posturing' between youngsters is normal anyway. Are they both reacting in the same way or is it one more than the other?

[Loomineer]

My boy reacted negatively first then my girl started reacting back a little while later. My boy is smaller and quite scrawny. My girl is bigger and plumper. My boy is more gentle. My girl is used to dogs and other cats and children so is not timid in the slightest.

[cozietoesie]

It's only been 24 hours. I know that one always wants cats to more or less get on right away (especially if you've been used to litter mates who've known each other from birth) but you need more patience in these matters.

Best of luck, anyway.

[haggisaggis]

Having on a couple of occasions introduced adult cats to each other I know it can take upwards of a month before they will tolerate each other. Have never introduced youngsters though. Keep the girl in a separate room to start with - mingle smells etc. Google - there is loads of advice and from bitter experience it is best if you follow it. If you just bung them together straight away it can cause more problems.

[fackinell]

It's early days, I've always done gradual introductions and swapping over of items they've been around to exchange scents. With every cat I've introduced there have been teething problems. Give it a couple of weeks and they'll be snuggled up together.

[dogfish22]

After 2 weeks your boy will have just gotten used to his new home and perhaps established a territory.... Usually if the kittens don't know each other a gradual introduction is a good idea, as your boy must indeed feel threatened about the new comer. I wouldn't worry just yet, my 2 also growled and hissed at each other in the beginning (got the girl first, she's been there for 4 weeks before we got the boy), and now they're best friends.

[Loomineer]

Thanks I don't want either of them to be upset by each other. They are now tolerating each other but at a distance. My dc are home now so there is more than enough attention to go round.

[girliefriend]

I think they will be fine as everyone has said its really early days, I imagine in a week or two they will be playing chase and jumping all over each other!!