my 3 cats

Question
i have 2 persians cats one is 1 year old and the other almost 2.
i brought today a baby siamis cat home she is 10 weeks old.
my older cats have a screaming match...grauwling...hissing.
and the little one also.
i am scared letting them together...but bi have to soon.
my cats sleep at night at there sleeping trees in the bathroom.
i bought a brand new one just for the baby.
can i leave them together over night and could be sure that my male cats don't kill the baby.
my cats also share they litter box....when i sad the little one inn she was hissing ....do you think she needs her own?
oh please answer me quick.
thank you,
caroline

Answer
Caroline,

You can't put a new kitten in with resident cats and expect them to get along. You have to go through an introduction process slowly. It takes about 2 weeks or more to do it correctly and effectively. You can't rush it or you will have behavior and personality problems that are going to be hard to correct.

When you get a new kitten it needs to be kept in one room with food, water, and litter for a few days. That gives it a chance to get to know you, gain confidence and trust, and get acclimated to having a new home. Then you let it explore the home gradually, one room at the time. It is too overwhelming to have a whole big house at one time to be in. Then as the kitten gets comfortable with the expanded area, let it go where it wants but still have the safety of it's 'safe' room to run back into. You should NOT add the introduction to the resident cats until the new kitten feels secure and comfortable with you and the new home. THEN you start the introduction process to the other cats.

I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process correctly:
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...

Yes, you should have a separate litterbox for the little one. And NO I wouldn't leave the kitten alone yet with the male cats. They won't 'kill' him but they CAN hurt him accidently (trim their claws!). The major worry is that their actions toward him, especially locked up together with them, will traumatize the kitten and affect his personality and behavior, and it may stress the older cats causing behavior problems like peeing inappropriately or being aggressive towards each other and you.

Hissing, growls, and slaps are normal 'kitty communication'. The are ways to warn each other, state who is 'boss', etc. They are not worrysome unless there are ears pinned back, major fur flying, or blood being shed.

Ideally you need to have 2 kittens when you have older resident cats. The kittens can play with each other and not annoy the other cats by trying to play with them or cuddle with them. The kitten needs a friend to play with, cuddle with, and comfort him in this scary new world. Most older cats do not like kittens. Probably because of their smell and energy level and this is not fair to the kitten and it is very stressful and frightening to him.

In fairness to all of the cats involved, if you don't have the time or desire to do it correctly it might be best to not have a new kitten right now. But if you do, though it will take time and patience for things to work out....they will.

Good luck and keep me posted on how everyone is doing.

Tabbi