GETTING NEW KITTENS TO GET USE TO OLD OUTSIDE CAT

Question
i HAVE 1 OUTSIDE CAT HE IS NEUTERED AND IS 12 YEARS OLD i AM GETTING 2 NEW KITTENS THEY ARE 8 WEEKS OLD HOW DO I GET MY OLD CAT TO ACCEPT THEM AND TAKE CARE OF THEM OUTSIDE.

Answer
Tiffany,

I really think that allowing 8 week old kittens outside is dangerous. They are still very small. They haven't yet had all of their vaccines, their immune system is also immature and they stand a good chance of becoming very ill. There are also toxic substances such as anti freeze that cats will drink because it is sweet tasting and that will likely kill them. There is no way that I am aware of to make your older kitty take care of these little ones. I would expect that your resident cat will probably be a bit hostile with the kittens for awhile. I do recommend that you introduce the kittens to your resident cat properly so that there are fewer fights as 8 week old kittens are extremely delicate as their bones are still soft and in danger of breaking while they are forming and growing properly. The other worry that I have for your kittens if they are allowed to go outside is the fact that there are plenty of cruel and unpleasant people in this world and some are willing to intentionally hurt or maim cats and kittens for the fun of it. In my area not that long ago a person took in a 6 week old stray kitten and had her examined by the vet, somebody had apparently cut this little one's leg off just for the fun of it with no anesthesia or pain medication. It is my opinion that indoor cats are safer, stay healthier for longer, don't risk road accidents or predators like dogs, raccoons, fishers and other wildlife that has been known to kill or seriously injure cats....Ultimately I think that the kittens are safer if they are kept indoors for their entire lives, but they should be at least 7 months old and spayed or neutered so that they don't contribute to the serious problem of pet over population before you allow them out at all, and it should be a gradual process that you use to spend time with the kittens outside either in your arms, on a harness or even on the lawn. Once they understand cars, people that they don't know and outdoor life with predators like dogs, raccoons, fishers and other wildlife then if you still feel that you would like to allow the kittens out of your sight outside it is your choice. Please keep in mind that the euthanasia rates for cats in the shelter system are incredibly high simply because there are not enough good homes to take all of the orphaned and abandoned cats and kittens in which is why I recommend that you spay and neuter all of your pets.  I do hope that you have found this information helpful. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again.