Harlow Ambushes Governor (Integration of new kitten) - Carole Wilbourn
Carole Wilbourn, The Cat Therapist, has been the leading voice in feline therapy for over 5 decades. She has helped thousands of cat moms and dads explore, face, and resolve cat behavioral and health issues. Carole is truly the most trusted Cat Therapist in the United States.
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13 Aug Harlow Ambushes Governor (Integration of new kitten)

Posted at 02:24h in Blog by

A mighty male kitten moves in with two female felines, and there’s a lag in their integration.
Not long ago I did a session for the integration of Governor, an adolescent kitten, into a two-cat household. Harlow, the three year old, black, spayed female would ambush him, whereas Scarlet, the spayed five year old, kept a low profile with him.

Harlow and Scarlett in copy cat posture

New Kitten Competition
Erin, their guardian, had adopted Governor as a playmate for Harlow, because Scarlet, unlike Harlow was not a player. Governor had his own room. And the trio was able to eat together without a “Harlow ambush” because the focus was food.
“Governor has been with us for three months now, and there hasn’t been much progress,” said Emily.
As I observed the cats, Scarlet gingerly rolled about in the catnip I gifted, while Harlow and Governor tossed the toys about.

Harlow assumes her air of superiority with Governor the kitten

Some of my recommendations were:

  • Place a gate or screen door in the doorway of Governor’s room so the cats can have continuous visual contact without physical contact. This will make it easy and safe to hiss and meow without incident.
  • Acknowledge Harlow and Scarlet verbally, e.g. “Right Scarlet, Right Harlow” whenever you interact with Governor even if they can’t see or hear you, they can sense your interactions.
  • Let them hang out together for short intervals but keep the focus on play. Return Governor to his room with an enthusiastic toss of a toy before there’s any sign of an “incident”.  End on “happy paws”. This will create a positive association.

Progress Report — Major Breakthrough
Erin told me that she was able to leave them together for short intervals using the distraction of toys and nip — and emphasis on Harlow and Scarlet. She felt how I helped her most was just knowing someone out there believed her cats could co-exist.

Oh those eyes ……

And Baby makes 3

I would continue to provide a practical Reintegration Program to be her next steps in the progression.

Acknowledgment Defuses Rivalry
I reminded her to acknowledge her two girls when her focus was on Governor. This action would prevent or lessen break-downs. She could also refer to the #Me Too syndrome in my July Blog.
“The development of relationships includes break-downs, but are followed by many, many break-throughs,” I said. “Erin, you’re really there for your guys, and the more you “let go” and let things flow, the better. This could be your template.”