Merging, Mixing, Mingling

We've been taking it really slow with the introductions.  It's a huge change for Wylla, and we want to ease her into her new position as "deputy kitten wrangler".  So far, things have progressed nicely.

Once the quarantine period was up, we let Wylla and Charlene come into the basement and watch the kittens at a distance.  They came and went at their leisure. There was a little growling from Wylla at times, but nothing too extreme.

This weekend the wee ones got to come up to mingle on the main floor and got to met the big cats up close.  These nose-to-nose introductions went just fine.  Effie did hiss at Charlene at first, but unflappable Bean just ignored her.  

Now, after each meal, the kittens come upstairs and romp for a spell. They have some self-imposed boundaries and rarely stray off of the living room rug. When they start winding down, they are returned to their basement quarters for a nap.

Wylla is very curious about Hazel and Effie, and when they're on the main floor, she's right there with them.  She spends a lot of time just watching them and will engage with them in play on occasion.  She's used to playing with a larger cat,  so we do watch her close to make sure she doesn't play too hard with them.  They are so tiny and even a whomp from wee Wylla's  paw will roll 'em.

I think Wylla's still trying to figure out exactly what they are.  I don't think she views them as any sort of threat nor does she seem disturbed by their presence, she just doesn't quite know what they are or why they're here.

I don't see her taking on a nurturing role like Charlene often does with the kittens,  I think they'll be more like playmates for Wylla.  



Things aren't tense at all, but we're still trying to be very careful in how we proceed. It's important that Bean and Wylla get their needs met, feel loved, and don't have their schedules or routines disturbed.

Of course, raising healthy, social kittens is a priority, too.  




Here's a little clip of a very curious Wylla watching the kittens during their first visit upstairs.