How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat

But by taking a calm paced approach to the process of introduction by laying the foundations of a respectful partnership between the older and the younger cat and by sharing the love equally youll all get even. Preparation is the key to a successful introduction of a new kitten to your older cat. The younger and smaller the kitten the less of a potential threat she will seem.
how to introduce a kitten to an older cat

Once the kitten has settled let the two cats see one another but keep a physical barrier between them.

How to introduce a kitten to an older cat. This will let each cat become familiarized with the others scent. Cats are naturally solitary animals free ranging cats are territorial and hunt and scavenge for food alone lee tells the dodo. Kittens can be a little too noisy and boisterous for an older cats tastes. This means that introducing an elderly cat to a kitten can be problematic.

Introducing a kitten to an adult cat can cause a lot of stress in your household but there are some things you can do to help make the introduction go more smoothly. Bales recommends taking him straight to his own room and shutting the door. Carry out some cat scent swapping. Give your adult cat a piece of fabric that the kitten has been sleeping on to smell and vice versa.

Fortunately the first introduction does not have to be negative. On the other hand a kitten just separated from his littermates may be grateful for companionship. A playful cat is a good match for a playful kitten and that lively kitten may clash with a calm older cat. Introducing a new kitten to an older cat should be done slowly and with care explains christina lee animal behavior counselor for the aspcas anti cruelty behavior team.

Your senior cat will like things exactly as they have been for years and will fear change. Domesticated cats are creatures of habit and routine. The introduction of a senior cat to a kitten must be done gradually. That should usually mean an easier and shorter adjustment period for all concerned.

An older cat thats been the only pet for his entire life will adapt more slowly to another cats presence and may especially resent a bouncy kitten. When introducing a kitten to an older cat slow and steady and then slow again is the name of the game. Keep the two cats separate. In a nutshell introducing a kitten to an older cat is in fact easier than introducing two adults.

Let the kitten and resident cat sniff each other through the door but not actually meet face to face. When you first adopt a kitten and bring him home dr. As you prepare to introduce your cat to a new addition keep the following steps in mind. How to introduce cats.

Dont rush the introduction between two cats. Everybody loves a cute kitten and part of the joy of owning a second cat is making an enormous fuss of the new baby in the family.