i might be getting a new kitten

Question
1. hello I've  got a tuxedo cat called jessy 10 female but we might be getting a kitten soon how can i introduce them  

2. we may may be moving again jessy always worries what can i do

3. i know a cat eating grass help it be sick but with a cat as old as 10 is it ok
please and thank you

Answer
Zoe,

OK, here are some answers to your questions.

1)  On introducing a new kitten, here is a method we have used in the past with pretty good success.  The good news is that most adult cats are more tolerant of kittens than other more adult cats.  Also, the introduction of the new kitten may make Jessy feel younger and more active since the new kitten will, probably, be a bit if a pest.

Start out your new kitten in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with yourself or another human resident. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your new kitten will not be overwhelmed by its new surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan (often kittens or rescue cats have been confined and are somewhat daunted by wide open spaces!). You will feed the new kitten in this room and keep Jessy out. It allows the new kitten to bond with you or another human being and also build up some self assurance in its new surroundings since it will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows the new kitten and the Jessy to sniff each other under the door and get familiar with each others' scents.

After 3-5 days of being in its one room, it is time to let them meet each other. Be prepared for some posturing, some spitting and hissing, and the like. IGNORE IT! After a while, they should begin chasing each other about and still have the occasional hiss or spit as they get accustomed to each other. Cats tend to make a whole lot of noise and even loosen up some fur. Rarely will two cats hurt each other.

Once they are introduced, there are a couple of things you must remember. Do not separate them again, they will get along! Do not interfere in their "discussions" as they need to sort it out amongst themselves!

It does not hurt to give Jessy special treats and extra attention
after the new kitten is introduced (yes, cats do get jealous!).

A couple of things you may have to do are to feed them on separate dishes. Provide more than one litter pan in different areas of the household (as cats can be very territorial about litter pans).

All, in all, this method seems to have had great success in the past and makes for a fairly smooth introduction. Please remember that they may make up immediately, or it may take a few weeks.


2)  Moving to a new territory is always a bit traumatic for cats.  If there are multiple cats in a household it can even change the dynamic about how they inter-relate and who is where in the pecking order.  On the other hand, sometimes, having buddies in the move can give the comfort of familiar surroundings in a new territory.  It really depends on the personalities of the cats and how they relate.  However, once the move takes place, things usually settle down within a few weeks as the cats get on with living in their new surroundings.


3)  Eating a little bit if grass will not hurt Jessy and helps with hariballs (eating grass makes them throw up).  As long as she does not over do the grass eating, she should be OK.


Please let me know if you need any further clarification of any of the above.

Best regards... Norm.