Thread: How to integrate a second kitten

Originally Posted by Antonia

I get the impression that Freyja, for all her playfulness and sweet antics, is in fact a far more timid kitty than she seems to be. You said yourself she wasn’t all that affectionate at first. Possibly Freyja is the insecure one whilst Wicca is the confident one – different personalities, just like people.

Thanks Antonia, and yes, I've started to come to the same conclusion today - at one point Wicca ventured into the study, squeaking away to let us all know she was on her way, and Freyja hopped up onto my desk and hid behind my laptop screen, hissing and growling over the top of it - she'd literally taken the high ground, but still hid to threaten Wicca, and I wondered then if Freyja's more insecure than I initially gave her credit for - guess she'd got quite confident when it was just me, her and OH.

And Jackie, Antonia and Howlinbob - that's a really good thought about the damp smell; it didn't occur to me that Freyja might be affected by that too; she seemed to treat the whole flood as an adventure as she had several new faces to flirt with before we got back, and I just didn't give it a second thought.

My breeder's suggested locking them both in a room with Feliway and leaving them to it - I'm not sure I'm quite brave enough for that yet but it might be worth a thought by the end of the week. Where can I buy cat-shaped boxing gloves??

I think I might have had a break through tonight - I blackmailed Freyja into entering the kitchen for food, putting the food high up so that Wicca couldn't nick it (man, that kitten's got an appetite and she has absolutely NO manners either - the only thing she didn't do after stuffing her face was belch and wipe a paw across her gob, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time...) and whilst I had to stroke her and talk to her, she did actually eat. I made a point of feeding her first, and she curled up on the breakfast bar for a bit, so I got out a teaser and we had some larks in the kitchen. Then I decided to get Wicca's food out and Freyja started jumping up the kitchen worktop for some of that, so I put the bowl down on the floor and she tucked in merrily, then wandered around re-sniffing the kitchen. She even warily wandered into the dining room but left again without incident. She's hissed and growled at Wicca since as I brought the poor little mite up from the dining room to join civilised society in the lounge, and after a quick explore round the room Wicca decided to head back to the dining room again.

Can't tell you what a source of relief it is coming on this forum and realising that this is - sadly - perfectly normal. Did all of you stress out about it or am I just being incredibly soft?? In any case, thank you, I'm grateful for the advice and patience!